The Zeros

The Zeros earned the nickname "the Mexican Ramones" thanks to the lineup of guitarist and singer Javier Escovedo, second guitarist Robert Lopez, bassist Hector Peñalosa, and drummer Baba Chenelle. They ranked among many acts fueling the late-'70s L.A. punk explosion. Although peers such as Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, and X drew greater attention, the quartet won the respect of Tom Waits, Patti Smith, and the Damned, shared numerous West Coast bills with Dils, Avengers, X, Plugz, Nerves, and Wipers, and handed the Germs their first live slot when they opened for the Zeros in 1977. Formed in 1976 under the original name "the Main Street Brats," the group adopted the Zeros moniker before their debut performance. After disbanding in 1981 they reconvened occasionally, including a 1991 benefit for ailing punk rocker and writer Craig Lee and Bomp Records' 25th-anniversary celebration several years afterward. Their sole full-length release arrived as 1999's Right Now!, while outside bands embraced their material, among them Spain's La Secta with "Wild Weekend," Australia's Hoodoo Gurus, Sweden's the Nomads on "Wimp," and Hollywood's the Muffs covering "Beat Your Heart Out."