Life & Work with Zero Magik of Newbury Park, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zero Magik.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Thanks for having us-
Zero Magik is the story of four lost souls from different parts of the world, finding their way to redemption through raw and punchy rock and roll.

The group formed in 2024, after as series of coincidences that are difficult to explain!

Zero Magik drifts between classic rock influences of Led Zeppelin and Guns & Roses, toward the 90’s metal of Metallica and Queens of the Stone Age.

The songs are varied in messaging, from dialogued critique modern consumerism to the luring pastime of intimate encounters.
We want the songwriting to be approachable and anthemic, but reflect the Kurt Vonnegut-esc sarcasm of modern societal complacency.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Mike Lerman provides an infectious attack,
accompanied by bassist Juan “JC Rumble” Castillo giving soaring harmonic effect.

Lead guitarist Jason ‘The Arizona Rattlesnake’ Green brings the speed and technicality along with some tunes of his own, and drummer Paul Cifuentes roars with heavy animalistic rhythmic annihilation.

We are reigning rock upon the Southern California in preparation for their upcoming EP release.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Though the project is relatively new, each of us has been though the ringer in a past life.

Mike Lerman has been in bands since the age of 11, recording with former Traveling Wilburys keyboardist George Kerhulas, the San Fernando Party-Rock band Mesia, played bass and acted in stage for Oscar-Nominated actor John Hawkes- prior to COVID. Between the pandemic, a corporate job and starting a family, Lerman had played over 1,000 shows in 20 years and nothing could be held together.
He considered quitting his job, giving up music, and moving to Luxemburg
That was before he met the Zero Magik crew.

Jason Green had played in a variety of heavy metal bands in Arizona, and toured most of the Southwest, before he was bit by a rattlesnake and almost died at University Medical Center Phoenix.
But with the strength to carry on, Green wore the bite as a badge of honor and decided to learn and teach others about his foes. His chance encounter with Mike Lerman was at a time of deep uncertainty; naturally they decided to find a drummer.

Paul ‘Stick Reaper’ Cifuentes grew up in the hallowed grounds of Columbia. He earned his doctorate and made his way through the world saving lives, but the story was the opposite when he played the drums. His tom hits thundered the drum sets he played so hard that a set of Vic Firth sticks would crush and die screaming under the shear power of his attacks, and he realized that his fate could only be to move to California and pursue the legions of rock legend. When Mike & Jason first jammed with Paul, they knew their lives and the universe had begun rotating a new direction.

JC Rumble was a scientist living on the coast of Venezula. A family man, this bassist and singer would create chaos in the laboratory via the form of tasty riffs. He had been a long-time friend to Paul Cifuentes; and when Paul joined Zero Magik, JC was the obvious and only choice. His fortitude and majestic soliloquies brought silence to a storm the night the band all met. There was truly thunder without lightning until the band came together for their first show at the Viper Room in Hollywood, we emerged from the darkness, with resolve and calm poise.

Our band had followed Virgil through the inferno, only to ignite a larger fire.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Zero Magik is not just a rock band, it is a state of mind-
To believe in oneself without needing the strength of the assurance, to accept the insignificance of our place in the vast universe, to thrive despite entropy and persevere in the face of the absolute.

We are extremely excited to announce our first single release coming on October 2nd, 2026 entitled
“Slow This Train Down”.

The music video was directed by film veteran Marco Tazioli and stars Mote It Be’s singer, Isabel Immortal.

We absolutely cannot wait for everybody to hear it! We also have a new EP coming soon.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
We love working with other artists, especially those who appreciate where they come from and try to be authentic.

Creativity is not a zero-sum game, so artists like Colt Holmes, Mote It Be and good friends and inspiration.
Despite the industry being pop-heavy or the local scene being all about cover bands, we have some really great feelings when working with Adam Mays Music Management and J-Les Productions, there are also so may who have helped us out over the years.

The best part about starting again is that it takes work, the hard kind of punishment that only these guys enjoy, the rewarding type that is difficult, but worth it. This is the kind of music that take more than Magik to manifest, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeromagikmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Zero-Magik-61563600295432/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZeroMagikMusic

Image Credits
Pictures by Brian Mellblom