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UA band blasts machine music

UA band Zero to Sixty doesn't write a lot of cheesy love songs.

In fact, they may be incapable of it.

"We're robots," explained singer/guitarist Marina Modification. "We may look human, but we're all cyborgs."

The band, which has been together more than a year, is comprised of Marina, singer/bassist Caroline Conversion, drummer Silas Synchronization, and go-go dancer Julie Juxtaposition - who would not give their real names.

Caroline and Marina met in a UA landscape architecture class. They found Silas through a posted flyer advertising for a drummer.

"They put a 'Planet of the Apes' picture on the flyer - that's the reason I responded," he laughed.

They say the band has a taste for fast cars and fast music.

"We play the sound of speed at the speed of sound," Marina said. "We're into fast hot rod rock, not love songs."

The group explains their influences as a blend of Ventures-style surf bands, New Wave music and "riot grrl" groups like Bikini Kill. They also integrate elements of punk and 1950s-style rock 'n' roll into their energetic live shows, as well as the spirit of hot rod culture.

"We even have a light show when we play at night. It's one of those drag-racing lights," Silas said.

Marina seems to be the source of the hot rod influence. She uses razor-sharp robot reflexes to play rock and roll and her compete in her other hobby, drag racing.

His propulsive, punk-rooted drumming proved the perfect backbeat for the girls' guitar grooves, and a band was born.

They don't just play instrumentals, though.

"Marina and I both sing," Caroline said.

The architecture major said their lyrical influences are different than most bands.

"A lot of our lyrics come from mathematics or modernism," Marina said.

Marina, an illustration sophomore, admits it is hard to juggle a school career and a music career, "especially when music is what you really want to do."

All the band members are sophomores (Silas is a percussion major, appropriately enough), and all come to the band with previous music experience. Silas was in a punk band, Marina played in a "riot grrl" band and Caroline played classical upright bass with a symphony.

"Being in a band is the most fun in the world," Caroline said.

Zero to Sixty has built a solid fan base in Tucson, playing at popular spots like Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., Double Zero, 121 E. Congress St., and the Velvet Tea Garden, 450 N. Sixth Ave.

They also play private parties and other spontaneous gigs.

"All-ages shows are the best," the band members said in unison.

While the band is looking forward to recording during summer break (rumors hint at a summer west coast tour as well) for now they are concentrating on playing concerts.

"Live shows are the best. Everyone has a good time," Caroline said.

The band members said the performances offer audiences a chance to let loose.

"Most people shake their asses at the shows. We encourage everyone to dance," she said.

Future plans for Zero to Sixty include an opening slot in Phoenix for the next Man Or Astro Man show, and the ongoing auditions for additional go-go dancers to accompany the band in concert.

Whatever the future holds, though, the robotic modernists in Zero to Sixty will surely keep evolving, holding to the band motto that is tattooed on each member: "Modify or Die."