Authority Zero’s latest single, ‘Apocalyptic Summer,’ is out now – and the band is opening the song up for others to pull apart, rebuild, and take somewhere entirely new.
Authority Zero handed the track to two longtime friends, Ted Bowne of Passafire and Wayne Lothian of The English Beat, and asked each of them to reinterpret it in his own language. Both artists transformed the punk-rock original into distinctive dub remixes, offering entirely different perspectives on the same recording. Now Authority Zero is handing those same creative tools over to its community.
Through ApocalypticSummer.com, musicians, producers and artists can download the song’s individual stems and create their own versions of ‘Apocalyptic Summer’. The always-open initiative is a just-for-fun, human-made community project built around independent creativity and collaboration.
This is not a contest. There is no deadline, judging, prize, winner or ranking. Download the stems. Reimagine the song. Keep it human. Participants are asked to build their versions using their own ideas, performances and conventional non-AI production tools. Once completed, remixes can be uploaded to SoundCloud and submitted through the project’s website. Public uploads are preferred, although private SoundCloud secret links will also be accepted.
Authority Zero will periodically review eligible submissions and may add selected versions to an official playlist, repost tracks or spotlight independent artists. Submission does not guarantee placement or promotion.
Ted Bowne (Passafire) says, “It was super fun reimagining this rocker of a tune in a dubby way. I can’t wait to hear what other people do with it!”
Wayne Lothian (The English Beat) adds, “Working on the Authority Zero project was a great experience. There’s an honesty and energy in their music that’s been there from the beginning, and my goal was to respect that while bringing something fresh to the track. I’m really proud of how it came together and grateful to have been part of it.”
‘Apocalyptic Summer’ itself is a darkly surreal blast of rebellious punk rock that follows an ordinary man attempting to enjoy another day at the beach as the world begins collapsing around him. Set against political tension, riots, fire and destruction of biblical proportions, the song turns present-day anxiety into a defiant end-of-the-world anthem.
Frontman Jason DeVore explains: “‘Apocalyptic Summer’ takes place at the end of a long and crazy summer, in a satirical and fictional storyline with nonfictional, present-day political and societal elements woven within. It is a darkly surreal, rebellious look at a world teetering on the edge, set against the backdrop of rising political tension, riots, fire, chaos and destruction of biblical proportions.”
DeVore adds: “We follow an ordinary man who sets out to enjoy another day at the beach when there’s an ominous knock at the door. From there, we begin to watch the world unravel around him, and his eyes open to the shocking reality of the world he lives in. He refuses to surrender to fear or let anyone steal what makes life worth living. He turns to the extremes of living it up with whatever time may be left. If the world is ending, he’s going out fighting—drink in hand and riding out the apocalyptic surf, determined to enjoy every last second.”
Upcoming tour dates:
October 21st – The Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
October 22nd – The Vanguard – Tulsa, OK
October 23rd – Golden Record – St. Louis, MO
October 24th – Reggies – Chicago, IL
October 25th – Small’s Bar – Hamtramck, MI
October 26th – Photo City Music Hall – Rochester, NY
October 27th – Alchemy – Providence, RI
October 28th – The Nook – Westfield, MA
October 29th – Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
October 30th – Wood Shop – Brooklyn, NY
November 1st – The Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY
November 2nd – The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
November 3rd – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI
November 4th – Gabe’s – Iowa City, IA
November 5th – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
December 4th – The Bird Cage – Prescott, AZ
December 5th – 191 Toole – Tucson, AZ
December 11th – Strummers – Fresno, CA
December 12th – Crybaby – Oakland, CA
December 13th – Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA
December 18th – Transplants – Palmdale, CA
December 19th – The Cathedral (Skanksmas) – Pomona, CA
December 20th – The Holding Co – San Diego, CA