Genre Zero

Aspiring to free themselves from the constraints of categories and labels, Genre Zero seamlessly blend blaring punk rock, contemplative folk, and whimsically irreverent pop into an arresting performance marked by uncommon passion. With musical origins varying from formal classical training to the school of D-I-Y rock, the group of multi-instrumentalists hail from a pantheon of wildly disparate acts, including psych/funk genre-benders NoNoYesYes, gypsy mega-group Juana Ghani, south valley punk rockers Punic War Project and Abandin Ship, mountain west poet Brad Hart and the Lopez Massacre, grizzled metalheads Great American Tragedy, Arizona’s indie godfathers HAIRSPRAYFIREANDGIRLS, Irish pub favorites Bonnie Mad, and old-pueblo legend Bombs for the Bored. Originally conceived in 2011 for a one-off show to celebrate the release of frontman Joshua Isbell from an extended hospital stay, the fledgling four piece were met with unexpected acclaim and an irresistible demand to continue as a group. The adamantine fusion of drummer Rob Vorwald’s aggressively syncopated beats and Bradley Hart’s lyrical basslines provided a steadfast foundation upon which Isbell and fellow orchestra goof Tiffin Brough could construct a deceptively simple weave of violin, guitar, and vocal harmony. The bewildering combination, confounding and abrasive to some, ultimately proved infectious, seeing Genre Zero increasingly sought after across scenes as an opening act guaranteed to rouse the audience and start the party. When Isbell’s lifelong friend and childhood collaborator Noah Gabbard relocated to Salt Lake in the heat of July 2013, the long-time Tucson music fixture quickly found himself pulled, inexorably, from practice session hanger-on, to producer of the group’s debut LP, to full-fledged band member. With Gabbard’s chameleonic song-by-song swapping of synthesizer, guitar, and percussion providing new textures and depth, the freshly empowered group marked their two year anniversary with a furious set opening for rising “neugaze” stars Nothing and Whirr. Releasing their debut album, “Get Dressed, Do Nothing” in early 2014, Genre Zero has since been playing house parties and re-working their sound around new front-woman Kira Isbell. Four Salt-Lakers playing pretty songs, loudly, with an healthy dose of punk-rock sparkles on top.