OK Zero, an Orange County-based punk rock band led by former professional snowboarder Alyona Alekhina, entered the music scene with a self-titled, self-released debut EP. The five-song release was recorded and produced by the band’s Ryan Doria, who also plays guitar for the band, and mixed and mastered by Paul Miner, known for his work with bands such as Zebrahead, Death By Stereo, New Found Glory, Touché Amoré, and H2O, among others.
About the EP, the writing process and meaning behind the songs, the band shared: “These songs grew out of the pressure points of our lives – the injustices and absurdities that kept sticking under our skin. The lyrics came from gut instinct and raw emotion, not from any calculated approach. Even when everything else in life was pulling us apart, these songs kept calling us back. Most were almost finished two years ago, but the urgency behind them never dulled. We chased down inspiration whenever it appeared, and that restless energy is what shaped this EP.”
In addition to the EP release, OK Zero shared a video for the lead single ‘L.I.O.N.’, recorded by Cat Keding and Ryan Doria, and edited by Matt Lindblad. The track ideally showcases the band’s energy, big melodies, and pointed social commentary. “‘L.I.O.N.’ is about resilience that isn’t polished or pretty. It’s about the people who survive what should’ve broken them, and still show up with their heads high. You’d never know what they’ve endured – but that’s exactly the point, like it or not.”
Alyona Alekhina is a musician, model, motivational speaker, and a former professional snowboarder – a seven-time national Russian and two-time European champion. After suffering a career-ending spine injury in 2013, which left her paralyzed from the waist down, she fully embraced her other passions. Since 2013, she has been living in Los Angeles, where she created OK Zero along with Ryan Doria and Matt Haynes on guitars, Sean Keding on bass, and Mike Cambra on drums.