Wednesday, May 10, 2006 | 7:29 a.m.
For the past nine years the modern rock band Big Bad Zero has been making music in Las Vegas, waiting for a big break.
Some have described Big Bad Zero as on par with The Killers, the Vegas-based band that has made it big nationally.
A big difference is Zero doesn't have a record label.
"We had a record deal at one time," said guitarist and lead vocalist Nick Mattera. "We signed with Eureka Records, which was distributed through Universal, but the company went bankrupt.
"Without a record label backing you up, it's hard to travel and get your name out there."
The band includes Mattera; Dan Gauthier (bass, vocals); Dave Meeks (guitar, vocals); and Rob Whited (drums, vocals).
Their latest release, "Imagination America," is available at record stores in Las Vegas and at the Web site bigbadzero.com.
At 9 p.m. Saturday the band will play at the Hurricane Bar and Grill, 10420 S. Bermuda Road, one of the best live music venues in town. The group is among several bands helping Bill and Denise Gerski celebrate their fifth year of owning the neighborhood bar, which is located between Cactus and Pyle avenues.
The three-day celebration begins at 9 p.m. Friday with Love Train playing '70s music. After Zero's set on Saturday, the band Cherry Hill will take center stage. At 9 p.m. Sunday saxophonist Tommy Alvarado and drummer Joel Richman and special guests will feature a night of jazz.
Alvarado and Richman have fronted a Sunday night jazz jam session at the Hurricane for about three years.
The 32-year-old Mattera, a native of Toledo, Ohio, learned to play the guitar when he was about 8.
"I was really into Rick Springfield," he said. "My sisters loved him, so I wanted to be that guy."
When the family moved to Southern California, his interest in music followed him.
He experimented with a band in California, but didn't get hooked up with a real group until he moved to Las Vegas and became part of Zero. Before then, he said, he was strictly a guitarist.
"Then when I met these guys and we started performing together we tried different singers to front the band, but couldn't find anyone we liked," Mattera said.
Eventually he showed the group some songs he had written and they suggested that he sing them. He's been the lead singer ever since.
Although they have been compared to The Killers, Mattera says the two groups have different sounds. "The Killers are more of a New Wave, '80s sound," he said. "Ours is more of a modern rock sound."
But Mattera says he wouldn't mind experiencing some of the success of The Killers.
"It all comes down to luck and having somebody who can support you financially," he said. "You can be the greatest band in the world, but if you don't have the money behind you, you're never going to get that far.
"That's why so many good bands come and go."
Meanwhile, Mattera (who works for Bonanza Beverage Co. by day) will be satisfied staying busy performing locally.
Zero is at the Hurricane once a month, and they often play at the House of Blues. Sometimes they can be heard at the Crown and Anchor.
On May 21 they will be at the Empire Ball Room as part of a battle-of-the-bands contest.
Who knows, if they win the battle they may become the next Killers.
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