NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion: An Oral History

by Jason Lamb

They were unlike any other band in the punk scene they called home. NoMeansNo started in the basement of the family home of brothers Rob and John Wright in 1979. For the next three decades, they would add and then replace a guitar player, sign a record deal with Alternative Tentacles and tour the world. All along the way, they kept their integrity, saying "NO" to many mainstream opportunities. It was for this reason the band (intentionally) never became a household name, but earned the respect and love of thousands of fans around the world, including some who became big rock stars themselves. They were expertly skilled musicians playing a new kind of intelligent, soulful, hilarious, and complex. They were also really nice Canadian dudes. From Obscurity to Oblivion is the fully authorized oral and visual history of this highly influential and enigmatic band which has never been told before now. Author Jason Lamb obtained exclusive access to all four former members and interviewed hundreds of people in their orbit, from managers and roadies to fellow musicians, friends, and family members. The result is their complete story, from the band's inception in 1979 to their retirement in 2016, along with hundreds of photos, posters, and memorabilia, much of which has never been seen publicly before. For established fans, this book serves as a "love letter" to their favorite group and provides many details previously unknown. For those curious about the story and influence of NoMeansNo, it reveals an eye-opening tale of how a punk band could be world class musicians while truly "doing it themselves." Their impact and importance cannot be overstated, and From Obscurity to Oblivion is the essential archive.

Genres: Music, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Miloš · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last! Nomeansno deserved this book long ago, and we've all been eagerly awaiting it for years. Finally, Jason Lamb stepped up and delivered.

Jason (and Paul Prescott) compiled this amazingly well-crafted love letter to both the band and their fans, showcasing a deep respect and profound understanding of the complexity of Nomeansno, their art, and their legacy.

On a personal note, Nomeansno is responsible for some of the best moments of my life. I had the privilege to talk about one of them in the book. This fact, by itself, is another moment to remember and cherish, and for that, I have Jason to thank.

[Greg D'Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

NoMeansNo have been special to me since I first heard them (on a mixtape made by a guy known as "Smelly Ben" in 1988). This book makes them seem even more impressive, a powerhouse not just of sound but of intellect and integrity. If you love the band, this will make you love them more; if you're not familiar, it'll make you want to be.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richly detailed, down to a granular level. For serious fans, this is a fantastic read, but that presumes you want to read a whole chapter each on Andy’s and Tom’s bands pre-NMN, and the scenes they were part of. I absolutely wanted that level of detail, all the way down to the almost forensic 2-page expert postscript about the musical gear they used and the state it was in. There’s no shortage of great stories about the band, and a fair amount of introspection from the people involved, all of which I was happy to read.

[Simon Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love NMN, you'll love this book. If you have no idea who NMN were but love anti-commercial free thinkers, you'll like this book and end up loving NMN. If you don't like any of that, there is nothing for you except unquestioning consumption and servility.
Despite the fact that it's such a breeze, frequently life-affirming and positive, I actually read most of this with a lump in my throat, knowing that it's all over and will never happen again

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A world of half-truths, what goes unspoken
Lines of communication are stripped and broken
And the dark is cold with hands freezing
But this deep-freeze seems strangely pleasing"
- NoMeansNo, Dark Ages

The things that can and cannot be said about Canadian punk band NoMeansNo are legion. There is a desire to lash out and berate passersby for not knowing about this legendary group. There is also a secrecy surrounding the band that should be enviable to your average private rock star. There is an unfettered wish to know more. There are many things surrounding NoMeansNo that have been unanswered, escaped the public's curiosity, or just plain ignored (sometimes by the band members themselves). Even earlier attempts to chronicle this band's full life have failed or ran out of steam. Not until Jason Lamb's NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion, a pandemic-era-born labor of love, came out last year.

For context, NoMeansNo was a band formed out of Victoria, British Columbia (it's in Canada). Consisting of bassist/guitarist/singer Rob Wright and his brother John (who contributed vocals on top of his main duties on drums and also keyboards) in their mother's basement. These "Other Wright Brothers" were also innovators, who may not have invented flight, but definitely created an undefinable sound. Is it New Wave? Is it Jazz? Is it Punk? Is it Hardcore? Considering the eras where NoMeansNo were steadily cranking out albums, they are all of these genres/subgenres and none at the same time. The group would evolve into a three-piece for most of its life, originally with guitarist/vocalist Andy Kerr, who would exit suddenly in 1991, and replaced by Tom Holliston, who would serve the role permantly from 1994 until the band's retirement. On top of that, some attention is given to the brief time in the mid-90s where the band toured as a four-piece with two––yes, TWO!––drummers with the inclusion of Ken Kempster. In the 30-odd years since the band's formation in a basement in 1979, NoMeansNo produced ten unique full-length albums, a diverse string of EPs, a live album, and a collaborative full length with Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra. They bowed out gracefully in 2015/16, humbly performing their last show as a Ramones cover band at a Vancouver venue on New Year's Eve. From Obscurity to Oblivion pretty much chronicles absolutely everything in between that 35 year period with gusto, and Jason Lamb not only has a little help from his friends, but all five men who populated NoMeansNo's lineup, and anyone involved in their rigorous work ethic. It is all being told by the band members themselves through a serious lens smudged with characteristic humor and "tell-it-like-it-is" bluntness. Like the rough-and-tumble band from Bruce McDonald's excellent mocku-rockumentary Hard Core Logo, there is a total Canadianness to this project, and that goes a long way.

For one, NoMeansNo did not adhere to any rules. In both music and attitude, they moved to their own tune. Songs ranged from the incredibly punky ("No Fgcnuik") to the extremely proggy ("The River" or their 15-minute cover of Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew"). All of this was compounded in their unbelievable live shows (of which videos do exist). The stage presence, the camaraderie, the darkness, it all rolled into one when the band was on stage in every iteration. While their studio output is championed as some of the best punk rock ever released (by those in the know), nothing compared to their live set, which could go on up to two hours in any musical direction. From their Frankenstein's Monster-like setup to Rob's "cranked to 11" bass tones, to their silly shenanigans and audience participation (listen to "Two Lips, Two Lungs and One Tongue" off the Live + Cuddly album), NoMeansNo were a sight to behold.

From Obscurity to Oblivion is not your average music oral history, it covers many bases. Yes, on the surface the book is a tell-all about one of the most underrated bands you've never heard of, but once this rough surface is scratched off, you get so much more. On top of being a band chronicle, the book is also a look into a band's relationship with independently-produced music, showcasing their relationships with various record labels, both burgeoning (Alternative Tentacles/Mordam) and not long for this world (Psyche Industry), eventually culminating in the Wright brothers forming their own label (Wrong Records). Not just an examination of a Canadian band in a predominantly American scene, From Obscurity to Oblivion is also a narrative of determination and hard work, indicating the sparse Canadian terrain, almost evocative of how in Canada you've gotta work ten times harder to make it to the next show and get back with enough cash to survive. On top of that, the book sheds some light on areas that not many bands want/choose to play, areas which NoMeansNo helped blaze trails through, gaining them loyal fans and legendary status. It is a study of Western music in relation to Cold War-era politics, showing NMN going on various European tours, sometimes to USSR republics before the Iron Curtain fell, and continuing this openness to former Soviet Bloc nations and war-torn regions in the Balkans in the 1990s, once again earning them respect and adoration from European audiences. From Obscurity to Oblivion is a humbling statement about growing old doing what you love, masked with the horrors of aging, rapidly changing technology, and ever-growing carelessness in the world. As is stated in the book, NoMeansNo was a political band, but the politics were always internal, human politics, the championing of universal truths over geopolitical rights and wrongs, all the while turning up your nose at the notions of meaningfulness and individuality in that very universe. The book reflects a hard work ethic matched with the wisdom of the aged, where the key philosophy is to be yourself and not care what people think or say about you, but more because the music is what's most important, flipping that individual/self dichotomy upside down. And mostly, this book is just a beautiful chronicle of a band that never wanted to make it big, turned down the myriad opportunities to do so, and stayed on top due to devotion to their fans, relentless tour schedules, and the ability to set their own rules as law for any venue they came to. There is even attention paid towards NoMeansNo's joke-side-project band The Hanson Brothers, a Ramones-esque straight up punk band that performed shorter tracks laced with hockey puns, allowing NMN to capitalize even more on their tours by having two bands. It goes to show how much innovation came from these young minds.

The bandmembers provide their own unique insight into what NoMeansNo accomplished and the hurdles they encountered along the way. From their love of the Ramones to Rob's forays into Jazz Fusion and eventually Dubstep to John's unique way of drumming in the classical style and being able to perform some of the most complex beats ever recorded (something which melts my brain whenever I think about it). Meanwhile you get Andy Kerr's seriousness and humility in contrast with Tom Holliston's pranksterish humor and insecurity filling in Kerr's shoes as his replacement. No voice sounds the same, and you get such a sense of camaraderie, something that was essential in the band's overall success. I mean, the band did not "break up," they "retired." That is something almost any band would dream to accomplish, but infighting and betrayal are too common a pitfall awaiting most bands. NoMeansNo somehow evaded these dangers and staked their claim in the music world on their own terms. They didn't want anything big, just what they needed to survive. Much like other indie/punk acts of the time like Minutemen and Fugazi, or later post-hardcore groups like Unwound, NoMeansNo fits themselves perfectly in this canon.

Insight is given on Rob Wright's songwriting process, championing his indecipherable lyrics, some of which seem pulled straight out of Ulysses or the most impenetrable philosophy books, but still manage to resonate within the listener on a personal level. Details are given into the creation of Rob's dark alter ego "Mr. Wrong," a Nazi-priest-lawyer-general character whose mantra is "Kill Everyone Now!" It represents a side of the band that was dead serious, the truest elements of satire. Meanwhile, John, Andy, and Tom illustrate their own contributions, whether they be serious technical riffs or the jokingest concepts for album art, it is all there. No stone is left unturned. And Lamb must be applauded for this.

As this is an oral history, chronicler Jason Lamb wades through hundreds of interviews he did between 2020 and 2022. Some big names are in here. To name but a few, Kim Thayil of Soundgarden, Brendan Canty of Fugazi, Fat Mike from NOFX, Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, Joey Shithead of D.O.A. and of course Dead Kennedys frontman/Alternative Tentacles founder Jello Biafra. In contrast to this, From Obscurity to Oblivion has a beautiful knack for championing the lesser-known bands. Groups that would open for NMN either in North America or Europe, most of whom never got to see stardom or even underground success in the same way other Reagan-era/1990s punk bands achieved. Members of groups like Shovlhead, Victims Family, Ultra Bidé, Royal Grand Prix, etc. on top of semi-famous acts like NMN's Alternative Tentacles peers Alice Donut. Among the many, many posters gleaned for this book, a great chunk of them contain opening acts I had never even heard of, acts that were filled with zeal upon knowing they would be opening for the almighty NoMeansNo. I mean, some other posters have some really big names. One of my favorites is a poster from around 1990 showing NMN headlining a show in Petaluma, CA with Green Day as the opening act (there once was a time, fellas...). Throw in a foreward written by Fred Armisen of Saturday Night Live/Portlandia fame, and you have a book chock-full of experiences and page-turning anecdotes.

When the bands aren't giving their gushing love for this band, a lot of attention is paid to the ones behind the scenes for NoMeansNo such as Laurie Mercer, the band's long-suffering manager, Craig Bougie, the equally-long-suffering sound technician, and various record label owners who put out NoMeansNo's eclectic discography, as well as Canadian music journalism legend Nardwuar.

Finally, there are slots in each chapter devoted to the many fans NoMeansNo gained over their lifetime, from local Victorians to American hardcore kids to die hard fans from anywhere between Finland, Serbia, and Japan, the book showcases the indelible mark NoMeansNo left on the world, without ever selling out a stadium or getting Nirvana-levels of attention. The band may have been the heart, but the fans are the soul, and the book does not dismiss that notion at all. There is real love there, and I can commend Jason Lamb for not talking over these voices and allowing them ring true.

Even if you have never listened to this band (their music is a little harder to come by at the moment due to some distribution issues with a certain thieving record label I will not name), but there are still ways to listen to their material legally while we wait for Alternative Tentacles to reissue the band's back catalogue.

Enter if you dare, stay if you must. Rocking out is mandatory. This is NoMeansNo.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest book ever written. Read it while I listened to the music and reminisced about shows I'd seen. It was a good time.

[Ulf Kastner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This being an oral history of my favorite band of all time, it didn't stand even a remote chance of my rating it anything less than five stars. I enjoyed learning a thing or two or three about everyone involved. Whereas I agree with Rob that music operates on an emotional level and thus doesn't, as such, make sense, I do feel like the band and their music make more sense to me after having read this book, some 34 years into my fandom.

Go listen to Dead Bob and go catch them live if you can.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today I’m reviewing “NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion: An Oral History,” by Jason Lamb, with Paul Prescott, published this past January, by PM Press. Definitely one of the best band histories I’ve ever read. It is told through short interview clips of band members, friends, associates, and fans, interspersed with tons of beautiful album art, posters, and photographs. It’s raw, and honest, and incredibly funny, and will leave you with a new appreciation for this influential band.

This book is so good that I had to put it down after the first couple of pages so that I could turn on my stereo. And then I continued reading while blasting “Wrong,” and “Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy,” and didn’t put it down again until “The Day Everything Became Isolated and Destroyed” had played through twice.

Brendan Canty (Fugazi) said NoMeansNo reminded him of the Minutemen. I like this comparison. Both bands were characterized by hard thumping basslines, intricate guitar work, super tight musicianship, with a jazzy, funky, but entirely punk sound. And with lyrics much more sophisticated and intelligent than many of their contemporaries. Mike Watt, bassist for the Minutemen, said he loved NoMeansNo.

Of course, being a fan, I already knew what great musicians they were. What I didn’t know (but probably should have guessed) was that the Wright brothers, John (Drums) and Rob (Bass) were trained on classical music and jazz. And that they were fans of an eclectic mix of different genres. It warmed my heart to read how they would set aside special time on every tour, usually during a night drive, to listen reverently to the Residents' “Mark of the Mole” in its entirety. That is dedication and good taste!

On the 10th anniversary of the Alternative Tentacles record label, Jello Biafra put out a compilation called Virus 100, featuring cover versions of Dead Kennedys songs performed by various artists. Everyone thought NoMeansNo would choose one of the edgier DK anthems and blast the hell out of it. Instead, they did an a cappella version of “Forward To Death.” I had totally forgotten about that cover until I read this book. Had to go back and listen to it again. It was awesome! They each did a different instrument with their voice. A real testament to their musical talent and quirky sense of humor.

I also really loved the story about when they were in the San Francisco Bay Area and crashed at the home of Kamala Parks (Gilman Street, Maximum Rock and Roll, and Kamala & the Karnivores). Instead of ogling her extensive collection of punk records, they went to straight to her dad’s collection, getting really excited by all his Mahler records. It reminded me of the first time I met the parents of a girl I was dating in high school. Instead of grilling me about my intentions with his daughter, her father asked me if I liked jazz, and promptly started playing me a selection of his favorite free jazz artists, Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler. Perhaps one reason NoMeansNo always resonated so much with me is our shared appreciation for jazz, classical, and weird stuff, like the Residents.

Another thing I liked about this book was hearing so many people saying what nice and decent guys they were. When touring, and crashing at other people’s homes, they had a reputation for leaving the house cleaner than they found it. No matter where they stayed. They always did the dishes, too. And sometimes vacuumed. They never trashed the place, or acted like brats, as so many other punks routinely did. They were real mensches in a scene where so many other guys thought that being punk meant fucking shit up and being a dick.

They were super nice, but real pranksters, too. And this book is chock full of anecdotes about their various practical jokes. I found it particularly amusing to read about the tricks they played on some of the more hard-edged punks of the era, like Jello Biafra and Henry Rollins. Indeed, when Jason Lamb read some of these stories aloud at Punks With Books, May 26, 2024, he had the audience, and other panelists, in stitches. I feel blessed to have been part of this event, along with Paul Prescott, Michelle Cruz Gonzales, Juanita Mantz, Billy Bragg, and James Tracy. If interested, you can see a clip of that event here: https://youtu.be/9_dbfJZlPTo

I highly recommend “NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion: An Oral History.” It’s a fun read. You’ll probably learn something interesting from it. And, with its large format and color images, it’ll look great on your coffee table. Unless, of course, you’re still living a punk lifestyle and don’t have a coffee table. In which case, it’ll look great on your floor. Or on your milk crate. Or, as in my case, on my bed with the pile of other books I’m reading.

[Maciek Bidacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wreszcie po polsku. Historia mówiona - książka składa się z wypowiedzie zespołu, przyjaciół, fanów, ludzi z branży. Przede wszystkim książka wyjaśniła mi, dlaczego po sukcesie płyty Wrong zespół nie awansował do pierwszej ligi. A przecież "wszyscy" ich znają - trudno wymienić kapelę grającą mocniejszego rocka, która by nie znała i nie ceniła NMN. Brakuje nieco więcej komlementarnych wiadomości o płytach, pogłębionych recenzji albumów - są losowe wypowiedzi o nagrywaniu poszczególnych płyt, o poszczególnych okresach, ale to ciut mało. Fajnie oddany klimat epoki, mnóstwo zdjęć.
No i nieco przykro, że jeśli chodzi o Polskę, to wprawdze aż pół jednego rozdziału o naszym kraju ale jedynym poruszonym wątkiem jest wątek kradzieży samochodu.
Dla fanów NMN pozycja zadowalająca, obowiązkowa, ale pozostawia niedosyt, nie jest komplementarna.

[Brett Hodnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding history of a great band. It's hard to imagine how you could do a better job of giving, not just the history, but also the feel of what the band and it's members were like through time. It also gives a good sense of what he whole scene was like in both Europe and North America.
I would say that there is no better way to tell the story of a band than through an oral history as told by those around the band, as well as the band members themselves, and Jason Lamb has done an spectacular job of it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing read. I am a huge fan of nomeansno and having witnessed so much of this story as a fan i love them so much more now! Ahh! I cant stop listening to the albums. There has always been something different about NMN and this book using primarily interviews and gig posters helped me grasp what it is that makes them so damn cool. I knew i wasn't wrong. They are punk rock gods. My punk rocker book club will be discussing deep into the night these wild characters. Thanks again. Bob

[I_nm_sby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has no business being this good. Got genuinely emotional reading about this strange and brilliant band who played my high school in 1997, stayed at my parents house, and were exactly as kind and humble and fucking amazing as the hundreds of accounts in this book attest. Still probably one of the all time great live acts I've ever seen, and this book captures the reasons why. Thank you, Jason Lamb, for this labour of love.

[Anthony Kilburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wondrous Tome

Massive credit to Jason Lamb for this exhaustive retrospective. The fact that it was largely a labour of love is obvious; to the fans, a book full of vignettes by all and sundry that ever had anything to do with the band is something that will be treasured for many years to come, and keep alive the always-destined to be mythical NoMeansNo.

[Ty Stranglehold · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly in-depth and refreshingly honest dive into the story of one of the greatest bands to shake the earth. Told by participants and fans alike. Obviously a love letter to the legions of rabid fans, but an easy read for anyone with an interest in punk rock history. Littered with photos, posters, ticket stubs and artwork, it is also a joy visually.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of books consisting of mainly of anecdotal "vignettes", but this book was solid from start to finish. Recommended reading for anyone into music, and especially recommended for anyone who has at least one Nomeansno song in their "listen to these songs to get to know me" mixtape.

[Alemitrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, interesting and entertaining.

The history of the band is told in chronological order drawing on many interviews which have been interweaved skillfully. Photos, and illustrations provide depth, colour and authenticity. The author manages to deal well with different points of view and the ups and downs of the events. Recommended.

[Skull Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so relieved Flea was not a part of this. Kept waiting but...nope. Refreshing.

Went into reading this book completely unfamiliar with the band. Did some quality listening as I turned the pages. Can't say I am a huge fan yet but I look forward to hearing more and I feel like I sort of know these characters. Wish I would not have missed the boat on these Canadians!

[Dimitrii Ivanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book that was probably very hard to record, as there are thousands of pieces in this oral-history puzzle, and the main character's somewhat Molloyesque turn was not likely to have made it any easier. Lots and lots and lots of graphics, moderate quantities of madness and death.

[Ned Bajic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the 80’s/90’s music underground, with a spotlight thrown on one of the greatest bands in any genre.

[Shaun Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best music books I’ve read in ages. The oral history mixed with all the visuals really tells a great story.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world's greatest band deserves no less than this painstakingly, beautifully visualised and pieced together book. Everything you ever wanted to know and a whole lot more.

[Jayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a fan or interested in post punk history this is a must read.

[Jörgen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly informative and a must read for anyone interested in the band. But often tiring and sometimes frustrating to read with all the 5 sentence quotes.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty freaking sweet

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since September 1, 2018 my concentration in reading/reviewing books have centered around Christian books. Continually seeing the series of which this book is part of, Bible Beacon Series, I decided to randomly select a book to see what this series has to offer its readers by using a random number generator on my computer, and number which came up was #6.

In this book, the author covers the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. This book, like the other book in series is intended to give readers a simplified verse by verse synopsis of the entire book enhanced by the author’s explanation giving them something which might help clarify something more fully as well as being a little thought-provoking.

I believe this book is best suited for individuals who are new to reading the bible as they come to the Lord for probably the first time in their lives, by making the Bible easier and better to comprehend, which I would have liked to have gone into more detail. The format of the book itself can best be described as being either a self-study or home-study guide. For wanting to instruct newcomers to the Lord in the manner the way this book does, I’ve given the author 4 STARS for his endeavor here.

[Kathy Hassig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, I haven't read this yet. I put it on the list by mistake.