No Comply

Until now, most people who recognise the term ‘no comply’ would associate it with a certain skateboarding trick. Not any more. NoComply are a Plymouth-based six piece punk rock band consisting of band members Kelly Kemp (vocals), Simon Marsh (drums), Jon Dailey (guitar/backing vocals), Nick Wallace (bass), Oz Holden (trombone/backing vocals) and Matt Roberts (saxophone). Their style is more than just plain punk rock however, with the brass section adding the ska style and with elements of metal scattered through out various songs. NoComply even have a female lead singer – somewhat a novelty on the scene, which gives you all the more reason to believe NoComply are a band definitely worth checking out.

Three years after their formation, the six-piece put out their first demo. Titled ‘Misuse of Control’, the three track demo spread word of the band rapidly on the underground scene as an original and refreshingly different piece of work, and managed to gain the attention of London-based Deck Cheese Records, who signed the band in 2002.

Next up for the band with their new record deal was the release of 6-track EP ‘Your Life (Is Your Direction)’, including a couple of tracks from the previous demo and four newly recorded songs (the third song from the demo, ‘Nick Starts’ can be found on the Deck Cheese label sampler ‘Value Slices’). This prompted a mammoth UK tour from the band, allowing them to play with the likes of Good Charlotte and UK underground sensations Capdown. NoComply became one of the hardest touring and most dedicated bands in the country, and to top it all off, the video for the title track from their EP hit number 2 on the Scuzz TV (digital rock-specialist music channel) playlist chart in 2003.

On the back of this success, NoComply entered the studio earlier this year to record their first full length album. Going by the name of ‘With Windmills Turning Wrong Directions’, it was released in June of this year to much critical acclaim, such as the KKKK rating awarded to the album by Kerrang! magazine. The band wasted no time in getting back on the road, and opened the Deconstruction tour’s UK visited to one of the biggest crowds they had ever faced at London Brixton Academy. More recently, they also played the Late Night Leeds tent on the Thursday at the prestigious Carling Weekender to another very large and enthusiastic crowd. NoComply’s songs now feature regularly on Mike Davies’ ‘The LockUp’ on Radio 1 (Tuesday nights 9pm), and their electric live performances are still creating a buzz as the six-piece gain more and more popularity.

So what does the future hold for the band? Although pretty much unheard of outside of the UK punk scene, things seem to be getting bigger and bigger for NoComply, as they look to embark on a European tour this autumn. Despite having only released one full length albums, they have become one of the most popular bands on the circuit, and one that must be experienced live to be fully appreciated. Who knows what next – I hear they are starting to book bands for next year’s Warped Tour (huge American travelling punk rock show)…

Visit www.nocomply.co.uk to download ‘Future Template’, the opening track off ‘With Windmills Turning Wrong Directions’ (recommended!)

Best songs: ‘Your Life (Is Your Direction)’, ‘The Price of You’, ‘The Against’

If you like NoComply you may want to check out other bands on the Deck Cheese roster, my favourites are Vanilla Pod and Sommerset.