Modern Day Zero
Encyclopedia
Modern Day Zero is a hard rock
band based in St. Louis, Missouri
. Formerly called Mesh—changed to Mesh STL after the name-conflict with Mesh
—the band renamed and restarted as Modern Day Zero. Their single, "Sick Inside," from their first album, Coming Up for Air, spent eight weeks as the most-requested song on St. Louis-area alternative rock
radio station KPNT
. Modern Day Zero has had songs included on video games NHL 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004
and has toured with bands such as Puddle of Mudd
, Nickelback
, Velvet Revolver
, Hoobastank
, and Guns N' Roses
.
of the Saint Charles, Missouri
-based band Ten Stories Tall were in search of a new lead singer after losing theirs. They approached Scott Gertken while he was singing and playing rhythm guitar for a Foristell, Missouri
-based band called Trailer. Gertken first declined the position, but when Trailer disbanded a few months later he joined up Pearia, Criebaum, and Pat Ryan. The group considered calling themselves Zero Hour before settling on Mesh instead. The band began playing shows at local bars and clubs with sets composed popular radio hits and some of their original music. By 1998, they had enough of their own material to play all-original shows. In 1998, lead guitarist Pat Ryan left the band and was replaced by Scott Davis. Mesh traveled to Memphis, Tennessee
, in 1998 and entered the studio in with producer Malcolm Springer to record their first EP. That same year Mesh saw their first radio hit with "Clear Day" from their Ripple Effect EP, which went on to sell more than 10,000 copies. In 2000, Mesh added additional guitarist Matt Arana to complete the group. Mesh had moved from being a cover band that played around St. Charles to becoming a popular regional group.
Mesh's fan base in St. Louis expected big things from the power rock group as they were on the verge of signing with Capitol Records
in 2000. The deal took a turn for the worse when incoming president, Andy Slater, took over the label. At that point, talks quieted as Slater shifted the label's focus to other priorities. Mesh made the decision in 2001 to self-release what would have been their full-length major-label debut. The album was titled Lowercase as a reference to its release independent from Capitol Records. The first single, "Maybe Tomorrow," earned significant airplay on KPNT
in St. Louis.
. The video quickly became a staple on MTV2
. Mesh announced a name change to Mesh STL in mid-October because of a conflict with the British synth pop band of the same name. Lowercase was remixed by Tom Lord-Alge
and repackaged for its major-label release on November 20, 2001, and Mesh STL embarked on a rigorous tour schedule alongside Puddle of Mudd. "Maybe Tomorrow" went on to rise to the Top 20 of both the Modern Rock and Active Rock format charts. "Believe Me" was released in the spring of 2002 as the second single from Lowercase, and the group continued touring in 2002 with other successful acts including Tantric
. "Believe Me" experienced minor chart success in the US, peaking at #39 on the Billboard
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In summer 2002, Mesh STL entered the studio once again with producer Malcolm Springer to begin recording demos for a new album. Among the new tracks recorded was "Down", which made its way onto the soundtracks for EA Sports NHL 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004 video games. The track was the first heard live as early as spring 2002, and it was the first heard of the recordings for the band's second full-length album. The Firm's record label closed shop in 2003, leaving Mesh STL once again without major-label support. Late that year, Mesh STL announced their farewell show would take place on December 13 at The Pageant in St. Louis. Although the band's second album had been recorded, it would not be released under the Mesh STL name except for the track "Down," which was released on a limited edition EP shortly before the band ceased to exist.
in Manchester, New Hampshire
. Following the release of Coming Up For Air, the band hit the road again opening for bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Collective Soul, Puddle of Mudd, Shinedown in 2005. In May 2005, MDZ announced they would be opening for Velvet Revolver and Hoobastank on the 2nd leg of the Electric Wonderland tour. "Broken" was released to radio in June 2005 as the second single off Coming Up For Air. Later in 2005, the band's own record label released the Midwest Music Explosion: St. Louis Vol. 1 compilation, which featured other up and coming Midwestern rock acts, and featured the new MDZ single "Show Me."
In January 2006, MDZ announced that they were selected by Airwalk
and Revolver Magazine
as the Unsigned Hero 2006 recipient, which earned them Airwalk, Randall Amps, and Washburn Guitar endorsement deals along with the opening slot for Disturbed at the House of Blues
in Anaheim, CA on January 20, 2006. In early 2006, the band entered their studio to begin work on a new album, and they began giving fans a preview of the new tracks at live shows. One of the new tracks, "Spit You Out", was selected to be in the movie Lycan, and MDZ filmed a music video for the single on November 1, 2006. MDZ closed out 2006 by opening several shows for Guns N' Roses
.
On May 15, 2007, Modern Day Zero released its second studio album entitled The Wait featuring the first single "Spit you Out." Thom & Jeff of 105.7 The Point began playing "Superhuman" which quickly became a top requested song and turned into the new single.
In November 2007, Modern Day Zero posted a blog on their MySpace
page that said the band was going to be taking an extended, indefinite break so that everyone can focus on the other aspects of life. In addition, they said they are not disbanding, only taking a break.
November also marked the release of "In Our Lives", a DVD showing a glimpse into the lives of MDZ, available only via their website.
. After initially joining Royal, a local band in his hometown of Chicago, IL, in September 2008 Broderick was announced as the new guitarist for hard-rock band Nonpoint
, replacing former guitarist Andy Goldman. Nelson is playing in various local cover bands.
As of February 2009, no plans, rumors or talks of a renunion have surfaced. With Broderick moving on to Nonpoint
it is unlikely that any reunion would include him leaving the possibility of Arana to rejoin the band.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band based in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Formerly called Mesh—changed to Mesh STL after the name-conflict with Mesh
Mesh (band)
-Background:In 1991, Mark Hockings and Richard Silverthorn met at a gig where Silverthorn's band was playing...
—the band renamed and restarted as Modern Day Zero. Their single, "Sick Inside," from their first album, Coming Up for Air, spent eight weeks as the most-requested song on St. Louis-area alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
radio station KPNT
KPNT
KPNT is a commercial radio station licensed to Collinsville, IL, broadcasting to the St. Louis, Missouri area on 105.7 FM. KPNT airs a mainly modern rock music format with just a hint of active rock branded as "The Point".- History :...
. Modern Day Zero has had songs included on video games NHL 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004
NASCAR Thunder 2004
NASCAR Thunder 2004 is a racing simulator by EA Sports, released in 2003 and available in separate versions for PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC. It features the 2002 champion Tony Stewart on the cover with a scowling look to represent the new Grudges and Alliances feature. It was the only...
and has toured with bands such as Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. To date the band has sold over 7 million albums, and have had a string of #1 mainstream rock singles in the United States. Their major-label debut Come Clean has sold over 5 million copies...
, Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
, Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
, Hoobastank
Hoobastank
Hoobastank is an American rock band, best known for their 2004 hit "The Reason" and other hits "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away". They formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, with singer Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse, and original bassist Markku Lappalainen. They...
, and Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
.
Mesh (1995-2001)
In June 1995, Brian Pearia and Jay WellsJay Wells
Gordon Jay Wells is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was nicknamed "The Hammer" for his tough, physical play.-Playing career:...
of the Saint Charles, Missouri
Saint Charles, Missouri
St. Charles is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 65,794, making St. Charles the 2nd largest city in St. Charles County. It lies just to the northwest of St. Louis, Missouri on the Missouri River, and, for a time,...
-based band Ten Stories Tall were in search of a new lead singer after losing theirs. They approached Scott Gertken while he was singing and playing rhythm guitar for a Foristell, Missouri
Foristell, Missouri
Foristell is a city in St. Charles and Warren Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 358 at the 2007 census.-Geography:Foristell is located at ....
-based band called Trailer. Gertken first declined the position, but when Trailer disbanded a few months later he joined up Pearia, Criebaum, and Pat Ryan. The group considered calling themselves Zero Hour before settling on Mesh instead. The band began playing shows at local bars and clubs with sets composed popular radio hits and some of their original music. By 1998, they had enough of their own material to play all-original shows. In 1998, lead guitarist Pat Ryan left the band and was replaced by Scott Davis. Mesh traveled to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, in 1998 and entered the studio in with producer Malcolm Springer to record their first EP. That same year Mesh saw their first radio hit with "Clear Day" from their Ripple Effect EP, which went on to sell more than 10,000 copies. In 2000, Mesh added additional guitarist Matt Arana to complete the group. Mesh had moved from being a cover band that played around St. Charles to becoming a popular regional group.
Mesh's fan base in St. Louis expected big things from the power rock group as they were on the verge of signing with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in 2000. The deal took a turn for the worse when incoming president, Andy Slater, took over the label. At that point, talks quieted as Slater shifted the label's focus to other priorities. Mesh made the decision in 2001 to self-release what would have been their full-length major-label debut. The album was titled Lowercase as a reference to its release independent from Capitol Records. The first single, "Maybe Tomorrow," earned significant airplay on KPNT
KPNT
KPNT is a commercial radio station licensed to Collinsville, IL, broadcasting to the St. Louis, Missouri area on 105.7 FM. KPNT airs a mainly modern rock music format with just a hint of active rock branded as "The Point".- History :...
in St. Louis.
Mesh STL (2001-2003)
The regional success of "Maybe Tomorrow" and the strength of their live show quickly attracted the attention of other record labels, and Mesh was picked up by The Label, which was new record company managed and operated by The Firm management group. "Maybe Tomorrow" hit rock radio airwaves nationwide on August 14, 2001, and then the group filmed the music video for the single inside the abandoned Herald Examiner building in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The video quickly became a staple on MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
. Mesh announced a name change to Mesh STL in mid-October because of a conflict with the British synth pop band of the same name. Lowercase was remixed by Tom Lord-Alge
Tom Lord-Alge
Tom Lord-Alge is a four-time Grammy Award–winning record producer and mixer. He is the youngest of Vivian Lord's five children, Mark Lord-Alge, Lisa Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge, Jeff Lord-Alge and Tom Lord-Alge...
and repackaged for its major-label release on November 20, 2001, and Mesh STL embarked on a rigorous tour schedule alongside Puddle of Mudd. "Maybe Tomorrow" went on to rise to the Top 20 of both the Modern Rock and Active Rock format charts. "Believe Me" was released in the spring of 2002 as the second single from Lowercase, and the group continued touring in 2002 with other successful acts including Tantric
Tantric (band)
Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira...
. "Believe Me" experienced minor chart success in the US, peaking at #39 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In summer 2002, Mesh STL entered the studio once again with producer Malcolm Springer to begin recording demos for a new album. Among the new tracks recorded was "Down", which made its way onto the soundtracks for EA Sports NHL 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004 video games. The track was the first heard live as early as spring 2002, and it was the first heard of the recordings for the band's second full-length album. The Firm's record label closed shop in 2003, leaving Mesh STL once again without major-label support. Late that year, Mesh STL announced their farewell show would take place on December 13 at The Pageant in St. Louis. Although the band's second album had been recorded, it would not be released under the Mesh STL name except for the track "Down," which was released on a limited edition EP shortly before the band ceased to exist.
Modern Day Zero (2004-2007)
The band was reborn in 2004 as Modern Day Zero, meaning starting all over again. "Every day begins anew and you start from zero," according to guitarist Rock Davis. Modern Day Zero, commonly referred to as MDZ, adapted the still unreleased material recorded for the second Mesh STL along with new material for their debut release Coming Up For Air, which hit stores in June 2004. The album, recorded in the band's own recording studio, was released under their own record label. With their new, more aggressive sound, the first single, "Sick Inside," was quick to earn airplay throughout the Midwest and became the most requested song at modern rock station KPNT in St. Louis for 8 weeks and a top requested song at several other stations nationwide including WGIRWGIR-FM
WGIR-FM is a radio station in Manchester, New Hampshire, airing an active rock format, branded as Rock 101. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications. According to Arbitron, ROCK 101 is currently the #2 rated radio station in the Manchester radio market...
in Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
. Following the release of Coming Up For Air, the band hit the road again opening for bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Collective Soul, Puddle of Mudd, Shinedown in 2005. In May 2005, MDZ announced they would be opening for Velvet Revolver and Hoobastank on the 2nd leg of the Electric Wonderland tour. "Broken" was released to radio in June 2005 as the second single off Coming Up For Air. Later in 2005, the band's own record label released the Midwest Music Explosion: St. Louis Vol. 1 compilation, which featured other up and coming Midwestern rock acts, and featured the new MDZ single "Show Me."
In January 2006, MDZ announced that they were selected by Airwalk
Airwalk
The airwalk is a skateboarding trick invented in 1983 by Tony Hawk, who performed it on ramps and half pipes. In 1986, Rodney Mullen invented the Ollie Airwalk, a flatground version of the Airwalk. The name Ollie Airwalk is often mistaken by the Ollie Airwalk trick in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater...
and Revolver Magazine
Revolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
as the Unsigned Hero 2006 recipient, which earned them Airwalk, Randall Amps, and Washburn Guitar endorsement deals along with the opening slot for Disturbed at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
in Anaheim, CA on January 20, 2006. In early 2006, the band entered their studio to begin work on a new album, and they began giving fans a preview of the new tracks at live shows. One of the new tracks, "Spit You Out", was selected to be in the movie Lycan, and MDZ filmed a music video for the single on November 1, 2006. MDZ closed out 2006 by opening several shows for Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
.
On May 15, 2007, Modern Day Zero released its second studio album entitled The Wait featuring the first single "Spit you Out." Thom & Jeff of 105.7 The Point began playing "Superhuman" which quickly became a top requested song and turned into the new single.
In November 2007, Modern Day Zero posted a blog on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page that said the band was going to be taking an extended, indefinite break so that everyone can focus on the other aspects of life. In addition, they said they are not disbanding, only taking a break.
November also marked the release of "In Our Lives", a DVD showing a glimpse into the lives of MDZ, available only via their website.
Post-Break (2008-2011)
Gerkten is focusing on his band management company, TVR Management. Criebaum is lead engineer/producer at Trailer Studios in Foristell, MO. Davis is a guitar tech for Guns 'N' Roses lead and rhythm guitarist and background vocalist Richard FortusRichard Fortus
Richard Fortus is a professional guitarist who is most famous for being rhythm guitarist in Guns N' Roses.Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Fortus cut his teeth throughout the Midwest with his band, The Eyes. The four-piece alternative band independently released "Freedom in a Cage", which was...
. After initially joining Royal, a local band in his hometown of Chicago, IL, in September 2008 Broderick was announced as the new guitarist for hard-rock band Nonpoint
Nonpoint
Nonpoint is an American nu metal band formed in 1997. The band consists of Elias Soriano and Rob Rivera . Currently they are signed to Razor & Tie and working on new a record which is expected to be released in Spring 2012....
, replacing former guitarist Andy Goldman. Nelson is playing in various local cover bands.
As of February 2009, no plans, rumors or talks of a renunion have surfaced. With Broderick moving on to Nonpoint
Nonpoint
Nonpoint is an American nu metal band formed in 1997. The band consists of Elias Soriano and Rob Rivera . Currently they are signed to Razor & Tie and working on new a record which is expected to be released in Spring 2012....
it is unlikely that any reunion would include him leaving the possibility of Arana to rejoin the band.
Albums
- Ripple Effect (Mesh, 1998)
- Lowercase (Mesh, May 2001 and re-released as mesh StL on Jive's The Label, November 2001)
- Down EP (mesh StL, October 2003)
- Coming Up For Air (Modern Day Zero, June 2004)
- The Wait (Modern Day Zero, May 2007)
Compilations
- Point Essential 5 featuring "For All The People"
- Point Platinum 1 featuring "For All The People"
- Point Essential 6 featuring "Clear Day"
- The Addiction 5 featuring "Sick Inside"
- Midwest Music Explosion: St. Louis Volume 1 featuring "Show Me"
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | |||
| 1999 | "Clear Day" | - | Ripple Effect |
| 2001 | "Maybe Tomorrow" | 26 | Lowercase |
| 2002 | "Believe Me" | 39 | |
| 2003 | "Down" | - | Down EP |
| 2004 | "Sick Inside" | - | Coming Up for Air |
| 2005 | "Broken" | - | |
| 2007 | "Spit You Out" | - | The Wait |
| "Superhuman" | - |