While some bands seem to churn out records at hyper speed, some take their time to craft the album they wanted to make. This is the case for Citizen Zero. After two years of mulling over songs in the studio, the band has released its debut effort, State of Mind. While make a set of good rock songs, the Detroit band has been playing the festival circuit as well as opening for P.O.D.  

We spoke with lead guitarist Sammy Boller about the band's beginnings, Detroit and the process of finally getting State of Mind out.

Homebase: Detroit, MI

How did the band get together?

The Dudley brothers had this reputation around town as these legendary players, but they could never find a singer to front their band. Josh met them through a mutual friend in 2010 and started jamming and writing songs almost immediately. Our drummer John was only 15 at the time.

You've released EPs before, but this is your debut LP. How does it feel to finally have that out?

We wrote and recorded this album at a very volatile time in our lives. It’s been finished for almost two years, and there was a time when we didn’t think it was going to see the light of day. The fact that it’s finally out, and people have been responding to the songs so well, is beyond what we could have ever imagined.

Take us back to the studio and talk about the most memorable moment.

There were a lot of memorable times while working on this record. There were a few days in the summer of 2013 when we were writing and working on demos in the studio with our producer and engineer, Steve Lehane. We went in a few days in row and laid down some ideas live and it seemed like we could do no wrong. The songs ended up being "What A Feeling," "Save The Queen," and "Go (Let Me Save You)." For a few weeks afterword, it felt like we caught lightning in a bottle. You don’t always capture special moments like that in the studio, so when it happens, it’s really surreal. We still listen to those demos in the van sometimes and they take us right back to that time.

What’s your favorite song to perform?

We just started playing "Home" live, and we’ve all been enjoying playing it. It’s got a lighter, old-school feel to it and it’s a good change of pace from the rest of the set. I also love playing Applause and Fame.

What is "Go (Let Me Save You)" about?

"Go" is actually the first song we wrote together after I joined the band. We wrote the music in a basement studio in Romeo, MI under what used to be the High Octane Lounge. Josh wrote the lyrics the same day as the Sandy Hook tragedy and I know for him, it was written as a response to how the media portrayed the events on TV.

How has Detroit influenced your band's sound and yourselves as musicians?

The Detroit sound is definitely ingrained in our music. There’s a great history of songwriting here — from Bob Seger to Motown. Growing up in the shadows of such great artists, we really learned to focus on the songs before anything else.

Favorite Detroit artist or band?

Gotta go with Alice Cooper. I was really big fan of his original guitarist Glen Buxton growing up.

What is next for Citizen Zero? 

We’re going out with Young Guns starting [September] and hitting the road with Like A Storm in October. We’re going be on the road full time going into next year promoting the new album, so if you need to get ahold of us, we’ll be in the van.