Artist description No longer Red Zero and no longer CZAR, this power trio from Hollywood, CA, now goes by the name Federation Blackout. Raised on 70s/80s/90s hard rock, Federation Blackout now finds now that there are few bands meeting that need. So Federation Blackout has stepped in to provide some badly needed melodic metal to a starving audience. Help Federation Blackout conquer the hard rock scene worldwide!

Music Style Hard Rock, Alternative Metal

Musical Influences Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, King's X, Type O Negative, Kiss

Similar Artists Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, King's X, Type O Negative, Kiss

Artist History We met. We jammed. We conquered!

Group Members Guitar & Vocals: Paul Samarin Drums: Tim Hull Bass & Vocals: James P. Morgan

Instruments Guitar, Bass & Drums

Albums 4-song Demo

Press Reviews Federation Blackout By Tom Kidd Sunset Strip Radio November 23, 2001 Federation Blackout At The Roxy, West Hollywood Hollywood-based Federation Blackout, formerly Red Zero, is a band steeped in the progressive sounds of the Seventies. Guitarist/vocalist Paul Samarin moonlights as bassist for "Which One's Pink?", a Los Angeles-based tribute to Pink Floyd, but you don't have to know that to figure out where Federation Blackout is coming from. It's bassist/vocalist James P. Morgan that gives it away. His playing style, stage movements and, in fact, personal style were all state-of-the-art for early to mid-Seventies progressive pop bands that graced the charts. In today's world, his presence and presentation make Federation Blackout a lesson in the classics. In this neo-progressive style, songs are decidedly beside the point. Individual songs approach pop elements, which are then broken up with tight counter melodies that break, in turn, the rhythms set for them by drummer Tim Hull. In keeping within progressive territory, there's no real focus to any individual songs. The playing is the key to this style of music. To these ends, all three players proved adequate on their instruments, though the real energy comes from Samarin's guitar. Not quite as schooled in the territory as Morgan, Samarin has a youthful exuberence that, while not period perfect, certainly leant Federation Blackout a more modern and timely edge. His lead vocals are also more youthful than Morgan's. Neither vocalist is a stand-out, but, once again, in a genre where the instrumentation is all, that's hardly a major shortcoming. The visual interest is split between the two frontmen, with Morgan playing the elder statesman to Samarin's energetic kid. One provides grounding, the other gives promise of things to come. It's that last element that shows how progressive, progressive music can actually be.

Additional Info federationblackout@attbi.com

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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