Zero

Formed in San Francisco during 1984, Zero originated as the vision of guitarist Steve Kimock and drummer Greg Anton. The two accomplished musicians had first crossed paths in the Heart of Gold Band, a group that later became Ghosts. Although the early roster remained fluid, the ensemble still issued several independent releases: the 1987 debut Here Goes Nothin', the 1990 follow-up Nothin' Goes Here, and the 1991 concert recording Live: Go Hear Nothin'. At that stage the repertoire centered on extended instrumental jam-oriented pieces.

A shift occurred in 1992 when the musicians partnered with Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter. Local Bay Area blues singer Judge Murphy was enlisted to deliver Hunter’s lyrics, prompting a deeper collaboration that stabilized the lineup. The partnership yielded the 1994 major-label debut Chance in a Million, a live set captured at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Hunter’s involvement persisted, leading to the self-titled studio album in 1997 and the subsequent live release Nothin' Lasts Forever in 1998.