Signal Zero began back in late 1999 when founding member Tom Collins' eleven-year-old son Sean developed a strong interest in music. Sean started playing the violin in his elementary school orchestra, and soon developed an interest in playing the electric guitar.

While shopping for gear for Sean, Tom became interested in music again. He had not played for several years. Tom decided to put a few items on lay-away for himself.

Tom taught Sean a few classic rock riffs, and soon the two were practicing together. They sounded pretty bad at first, but kept at it. Soon Tom found a co-worker, former Signal Zero member Dave Nichols, who played guitar and was looking for someone to jam with.

The three practiced together for a while and developed a body of songs that they could all play together. Their sessions began to change from loose jam sessions to more structured practice sessions. Still they needed something more.

Tom's Brother Dave learned that Tom was getting back into music, and started to develop some interest. Dave and Tom used to play in a band together as teenagers, but gave it up when they had to get real jobs.

Dave went out and bought a bass guitar and amp, and began to practice once again. He soon joined forces with Tom, Sean and Dave Nichols. This group practiced together as often as they could, and began to develop as a group. Still something was missing.

One day Sean brought a friend, Mike Gross, who was learning to play his step-dad's drums, to a practice session. Mike brought a single snare drum on a stand, and practiced with the group. It suddenly became apparent that the missing ingredient to this musical group was a drummer.

Mike wasn't interested in participating as a regular member of the group, but did introduce Tom, Sean, Dave (Nichols) and Dave (Collins) to his step-dad John Iliff. John came to the next practice session and the rest is history.

John proved to be a master drum player with a great personality. He fit in well and played well with the group. They all practiced together regularly and started to get pretty tight.

One day at a practice session, the group decided that they needed a name. They tossed around several, but unanimously decided on "Signal Zero". Signal Zero is a common police dispatch signal that simply means "armed".

Tom talked his good friend Dave Doty into joining the group as a keyboard player. Doty played with the group for a short time, but left due to other commitments. Signal Zero began to play at parties for friends, relatives and co-workers.

They all decided early on, that they would not accept payment for playing. Except for Sean who was still a student, all of the group's members were comfortable in other full-time careers.

They decided that Signal Zero would be a non-profit classic rock cover band. They continued playing at parties and functions for friends, then began to offer their services to benefit others in need.

Dave Nichols later left the group due to other commitments, and Sean dropped out (except to fill-in when we were really desperate), due to a job and a girlfriend. Tom, Dave and John became a three-piece with Sean filling-in on bass when Dave was unavailable. The band went on with this line-up for a year or so until Doc signed on.

In February 2005, Doc began playing with us and began the process of learning our material. Doc liked us and we liked Doc, so it looked like we were a four-piece once again with Sean hanging-in as an alternate player. Little is known about Doc (see biography) except that he is a good guitar player, a hell-of-a good looking guy, and an all-out computer genius. Why, Doc's wife Jean is also a computer genius and has been a great help to us by re-modeling our Web-site. Thanks Jean.

In July of 2006, Dave announced that he was leaving the band because he was relocating out-of-state. On August 1st 2006, Dave played his final show with Signal Zero on the Lake Mirror promenade in downtown Lakeland.

As luck would have it, the band had been practicing off and on, with a fellow member of John's church, Tim Hershberger. Tim is a hotel manager by trade, and an accomplished bass guitar player. Tim also proved to be an excellent vocalist. When Dave announced he was leaving, the most logical replacement was Tim. was asked to join and gladly accepted the offer.

By October 2006, Signal Zero was practicing and gigging as a four-piece (Tom, John, Doc and Tim). Sean had pretty much dropped-out other than to make an occasional special guest appearance.

Signal Zero made numerous appearances with the Tom, John, Doc and Tim line-up, until late November of 2007 when Doc announced he was leaving the band due to an extremely busy work schedule. As luck would have it, John announced about the same time that he was moving to Canada.

The last two remaining Signal Zero members (Tom and Tim) looked to Tim's friend drummer Mike "Smitty" Smith. Tim had played with Mike over the past few years in various music groups and jam sessions. Mike is an excellent percussionist and an all around great guy (See Mike's Bio). Tom, Tim and Mike worked very well as a group, and by January 2008 were playing shows as a three piece.    

So that's how Signal Zero became what it is today. Now the group frequently plays parties and other functions. The group also volunteers to play at benefit functions to help raise money for worthy causes.

Now you know the history of Signal Zero. Who knows what the future will bring? Thanks for visiting our site.

Check our Band Calendar for upcoming performances and booking information..