Customer Reviews

Vicious Circle

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Zero Boyz were very popular in the 80's in Indianapolis. I was what you would call a "groupie" of the Zero Boyz, and ultimately married the guitar player, Terry Howe (Hollywood).
The band had a very hard edge and was just getting started when they broke up. I have a collection of Zero Boyz albums that I have passed on to my twin boys, because their father Terry passed away 2 years ago. I have always loved punk rock bands, and I think the Zero Boyz were one of the best!

It was one thing to come form the city and be in one of the more established hardcore scenes like Washington DC or California where labels were more well established like SST, Alternative Tentacles, and Dischord Records. But it is one thing to make yourself known from a small area like Indiana. But this band managed to make there mark. Paul Mahern was like the second coming of Darby Crash, yet he was original enough to keep it unique. Everything just flows perfectly on this cd. You might question some of Rancid's orginality after hearing this album (with bonus tracks to.) I swear this is one of my new favriotes after I gave this one a spin...

To bad this band only lasted like 3 years, they probably would have acquired some more recognition like bigger bands back then like Black Flag or the Dead Kennedys... Truly a great band...

Vicious Circle is a classic punk album that doesn't get the recognition of other punk classics. Most of these punk lists don't even have it on them. One girl who did called them english pop-punk, but they were a punk/hardcore band from Indiana. Their sound was simalar to DEAD KENNEDYS. Fast and hard but still very catchy and without the political preaching. If you claim to be a fan of punk rock you have to have this cd. I guarantee you'll like it and put it at the top of your list. And one more thing,how can the woman who was married to the guitar player only give this 3 stars?

Hardcore Punk, from a time when the term hardcore still belonged to the punk kids not metalhead jocks with crew cuts & Hooded sweatshirts. Back in the early 80's punk was steadily getting faster and more furious and along with Black Flag and Minor Threat, the Zero Boys were perfecting the style. However the major difference between the Zero Boys and their peers was the fact that the Zero's hadn't given up their pop sensibility. No where is that more apparent then in this reissues bonus track "She said goodbye". Vicious Circle is probably the most direct link between the Ramones, Buzzcocks and SLF of the 70's and the Screeching Weasel and Pink lincolns of the 90's. Proving that Punk didn't die while we were "Livin' in the 80's".

The Zero Boys w/ Terry Howe, guitar, were one of the best bands of the 80s & of all time as far as classic Punk. I also happen to be a big fan of Toxic Reasons, Terry's subsequent band (Bullets for You being my 1st intro to his guitar playing). I had the pleasure of not only meeting Terry & his wife, but having played w/ him in Urban Disturbance in Naples, FL in the early 90s. Terry's guitar playing is CLASSIC. You won't be disappointed if your a fan of SO Cal & DC Punk. Sheila, Terry is sorely missed.

I love this album. One of the true undiscovered masterpieces. The playing is tight, the production is good without being too slick, and Paul Mahern is one of the most underrated singers of all time. Fast, short songs with melody. My favorites are "Dirty Alleys/Dirty Minds" and "Livin' in the 80's". I always recommend this album to my friends who like the early AFI stuff. Sorry, but most of us were just barely alive when the Zero Boys were at their most active.

One of the best hardcore albums of all time unfortunatley often overlooked! Every song is a gem.

this album has to go down as one of the best ever...