Authority Zero guitarist makes promotional mark
By CHRIS HANSEN ORF
Get Out
July 7, 2005

Bill Marcks has seen both sides of the music business coin.
As guitarist for Authority Zero, one of the most successful bands to rise up from East Valley in recent years, Marcks knows what it's like to play small club shows in town while trying to get signed to a record label and ultimately make a living from music.

Now, as the founder of Billy Cylinders Productions, Marcks is learning what it's like to be the promoter of the kind of local shows Authority Zero played while getting their start.

“I know it's hard to be a musician out there earning money,” Marcks says. “It gives me perspective, being in a traveling band as well as a promoter here at home, so (local) bands feel like they're getting treated well, and I want them to come back and work with me.”

Authority Zero is well-known for championing the East Valley music scene, even lining up their friends Mourning Maxwell with Ballistic Entertainment, a local film production company that shot Authority Zero's just-released DVD and will shoot Mourning Maxwell on the Vans Warped Tour.

Marcks sees Billy Cylinders Productions as a way to garner attention for the best bands the Valley has to offer. “I just want to bring some exposure to local bands again,” Marcks explains. “Just kind of unite the scene and find out what's going on, and the best way to find out what's going on is to be smack-dab in the middle of it. All of the bands that go on my bills, I hand-choose them, and I try to diversify and get different genres in there.”

Marcks and Billy Cylinders Productions have already promoted several high-profile local shows at Tempe's Big Fish Pub, including a show involving members of several local bands.

And he is already expanding his bills to include touring acts.

“I have (ska band) Warsaw coming through to the Big Fish Pub on Friday, which will be a ska/dub night,” Marcks says. “And that gives local bands a chance to be on a bill that will get more attention, so it's good for everybody.”