Nazareth, PA’s No Cash - vocalist Chris, guitarist Judd, bassist Shawn a.k.a. The Fang, and drummer Jesse a.k.a. Arms of Fury – formed in November 2000 and have previously put out a split with NYC’s Team Spider. Seven No Cash tunes are featured, including some off their recently released debut album on VMS Records entitled ‘Run Your Pockets’ like “Pierce the Gates,” “Homelife Is a Drag,” and “Skate or Die,” a song Chris penned when he was about thirteen or fourteen years old. Their impressive record that is highlighted by some pretty provocative and what some may (rightfully call) offensive lyrics – which, of course, only adds to their appeal – is quite a fiery slab of plastic, one that will surely have the non-conformists of the world rejoicing and stuffy conservatives either up in arms or crying in a corner. In fact, these are some of the most rebellious, blatantly anti-authority, anti-establishment, anti-society lyrics I’ve heard in a while.
In greater detail, No Cash’s sound, which frontman Chris claims to be “brilliant,” is feral ska-tinged hardcore punk with ferocious, fiendish vocals causing it to be referred to as “goblin-core” in inner circles. About their live shows, which must be simply insane, Chris is rather nonchalant, nondescript, and ambiguous, saying matter-of-factly, “I don’t know. I mean a lot are good, some are bad, some are mediocre, I guess like any band.” No Cash is on tour now, kicking off their first show July 5th in Orlean, VA alongside the Daycare Swindlers and ska kings the Pietasters. Alas, there are no shows in NYC. Chris explains, “We used to play [there], but we never seem to find shows out there…anymore. We used to play there like monthly.”
Whatever you do, do not compare the band to the great UK streetpunk bands of the late ‘70s/early ‘80s as Yours Truly did. Not that the music is comparable in any way, it’s just that these incendiary lyrics attacking the status quo, bring to light problems in society, including hallowed institutions like the government, the Church, the educational system, capitalism, police enforcement, and domesticity, bringing to mind the bold messages first vocalized by such bands as the Partisans, Varukers, Vice Squad, and the Exploited, to name a few. The response this astute assessment (or so it seemed) educed, was not exactly what this interviewer expected – shock, awe, disgust, and basically, just plain horror: “I hope my lyrics kinda surpass those of Johnny Rotten!” However, after a bit more explaining and coercion, Chris gave in…a bit, by adding somewhat wearily, “Yeah, the whole spirit. I just kinda write about whatever’s on my mind. The next album could be totally different.” (If he sees this reference to the Exploited, there’ll be hell to pay…)
So, seeing that he has so many qualms with society – “I don’t necessarily hate society; I just get disgusted with it at times,” he assures – does he also have problems with man in general, being that all these institutions he rails against are in fact manmade? “I have problems with inhumanity, not humanity. I just like to make fun of the ‘man.’” He elaborates, “I’m definitely not trying to scare anyone with my lyrics. But it doesn’t matter to me, people can make what they want out of them.” Therefore, Chris’ lyrics aren’t to be taken too literally; according to him, they’re more light-hearted than anything. Still, he views his lyrics – which, as can be seen, do have important messages that differ from society’s norms – as a way to expose numerous injustices found in modern-day society and as a means to enlighten kids “with new ideas, especially when their parents are glued to CNN all day.”
As for how his own parents react to his band’s music and themes, Chris says his mom “thinks we’re awesome. She understands.” By the way, Chris recently turned the ripe old age of 18 at the end of June. Only then could he actually sign the record contract with VMS rather than in April or May when No Cash was supposed to do so. When not singing or writing about the issues that are important to him and causing havoc at shows, Chris works at “S&W Hobby Supply in Forks, PA, making model airplane fuel.” You may also catch him listening to some rap. His favorites now are A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-tang Clan, and the Beastie Boys. Rap even makes its way onto the new record via “Gasoline” and a sample at the beginning of “Knowledge Is Power.” Punk bands he endorses are the Daycare Swindlers, with whom No Cash have played, and the radical Propagandhi. But, then again, he likes his Madonna as well. A guilty pleasure? Chris snaps back, “All my pleasures are innocent until proven guilty.” Hey justice system, you listening?