by Dominic Corva
Daily Cougar StaffThe Satellite Lounge was at maximum capacity last night as Zero and opening act Vertical Horizon played orchestral mayhem with an astonishing variety of instruments.
Featuring a strong rhythmic section of Bobby Vega, formerly of the Bob Weir Band, on bass and Greg Anton on drums, Zero had a remarkable choice of four other instruments, which took turns on lead and rhythm.
Pete Sears, on the organ, alternated between playing rhythm Ray Manzarek-style and carnival-like leads.
Former Jerry Garcia Band sax player Martin Fierro blew the roof off the Satellite Lounge with his leads, overlaying the Grateful Dead-type jamming with a jazz sound.
Although Robert Hunter, who collaborated on many Grateful Dead songs with Garcia and Weir, is credited as a writer of about half of Zero's songs, but the lyrics were definitely second rate compared to the instrumental skill and variety. Lead singer Judge Murphy lent a whiskey, soulful voice to sometimes clichd lyrics, particularly in "Catalina."
But the show belonged to Steve Kimock, the band's only non-bass guitarist. His virtuosity overwhelmed the sometimes inane lyrics in almost every song. Soaring, Garcia-like leads left me feeling out of breath, even more than Fierro's sax solos. And he played a mean rhythm section, alternating between blues, ballad and even salsa with ease -- all the while, appearing to mouth the sounds his guitar was making.