The band have never had, or have ever seemed to pursue, strong mainstream success, but they do have a devoted underground following in North America and Europe. They tour fairly often on both continents and maintain a dedicated fan base.
The band was formed in 1979 by brothers Rob Wright (bass guitar and vocals) and John Wright (drum set, keyboards and vocals). Their name derives from an anti-date rape slogan. For their first four years the duo's music would seem to be influenced as much by jazz and progressive rock as punk rock. The musical press described their earliest recordings as "Devo on a jazz trip, Motörhead after art school, or Wire on psychotic steroids." NoMeansNo have been credited with being an influence on, and perhaps even the genesis of, math rock.
The brothers Wright began recording as a two-piece in their parents' basement in 1979. These recordings, heard on their first two self-released 7"s, consisted of full rock band arrangements and had a new wave, warped-pop sound, different from subsequent recordings. When, in the early 1980s, the duo began gigging simply with bass, drums and vocals, the present form of their distinct sound slowly took shape. The songs they played in this period are documented on the "Mama" LP (re-released in 2004 on their own Wrong Records.)
In 1984, they added Andy Kerr (who played with John Wright in Infamous Scientists) on guitar and vocals. Kerr preferred pseudonymity and used such pseudonyms as "Buttercup" or "None-Of-Your-Fucking-Business". He brought a distinct hardcore punk edge to the group, and stayed until 1991. He is often erroneously credited for penning the lyrics of NoMeansNo songs on which he sang, perhaps due to deliberately vague liner notes and frequent vocal moonlighting (Kerr sings lead or co-lead vocals on nearly half the songs on Wrong for example). Kerr's vocals were a necessity for a period of time in the 1980s when Rob Wright was recovering from nodules on his vocal cords. While Rob Wright is the band's lyricist and main songwriter, all members have contributed songs to NoMeansNo records, and nearly all their material is credited to the entire band.
Wrong is widely considered the band's best and most representative record ("The playing is incredibly skilled, with the Wright brothers effortlessly shifting tempos and time signatures and Kerr's razor sharp lyrics clicking right into place").
After Kerr's departure, the Wright brothers recorded "Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?" as a duo. They subsequently recruited guitarist Tom Holliston from Showbusiness Giants and The Hanson Brothers, and have continued touring and releasing records, including "Worldhood of the World (as such)", "Dance of the Headless Bourgeoisie", "One", and most recently, "All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt" which was released on August 22, 2006. The album was released by AntAcidAudio in the United States and Southern Records in Europe.
The album "One", released in 2000, featured "two stunning covers that only make sense coming from NoMeansNo": a slow stoner rock-styled version of The Ramones' Beat On The Brat, and rather authentic fifteen-minute version of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, (complete with electric piano and congas) featuring lyrics by Rob.
NoMeansNo initially released records with seminal punk rock record label Alternative Tentacles. This relationship ended in 2002. The band has since been reissuing old albums through Southern Records under their own Wrong Records imprint.
Even their earliest recordings demonstrate impressive instrumental technique ("some of the most complex instrumentation you're ever likely to find in punk rock"). Jazz has been an influence on the group; Rob's basslines have a loping, melodic quality often reminiscent of Charles Mingus, and John's drumming sometimes sounds a bit like Elvin Jones or Art Blakey.
NoMeansNo's output features a seemingly endless flow of "Wright/wrong/right" puns, and significant measures of black humour, with "pointedly warped lyrics", such as on "Dad" from Sex Mad. The song was a minor college radio hit, and has been called "a bit chilling, even though it's spit out at slam-pit's pace". The first person narrator details a rampaging father's physical and sexual abuse, ending with what's been called a "killer end touch—the baldly delivered line 'I'm seriously considering leaving home.'". One critic (while noting the group's "savage intelligence") suggests that NoMeansNo might well be "the secret influence on a fair amount of both early-'90s math rock and emo, what with the barely controlled fervour of the singing and the sudden jerks back and forth in the rhythm section."
Equally striking about the band's back catalogue is their ability to jump from style to style and still maintain their musical identity. They leap from dirge to thrash, complication to simplicity, discordant to melodic and still sound like themselves.
John's drumming style has been mentioned as an influence to others, including Dave Grohl.
NoMeansNo's alter ego is TheHanson Brothers, a quartet with John singing and different drummer. Nearly a Ramones tribute band, the Hanson Brothers play fun punk rock as a mock group of backward Canadian ice hockey fans. The lyrics centre on ice hockey, beer and girls. The name comes from characters in the 1977 George Roy Hill film Slap Shot, starring Paul Newman.
Rob Wright's alter ego is Mr. Wrong, who dresses as an authoritarian priest and often poses with a shotgun. Mr. Wrong is simply Wright on bass and vocals with no other instrumentation. It is rumoured that Wright also plays upright bass in a traditional jazz band who play standards, but he keeps this side of his life fuzzy in interviews.
Tom Holliston released several albums with his band Showbusiness Giants as well as three solo albums.
Andy Kerr and John Wright played in the early 1980s in the Infamous Scientists. Kerr, after leaving NoMeansNo, released a solo CD and collaborated with Victoria musician Scott Henderson in Hissanol. Kerr most recently has begun a duo called Two Pin Din in the Netherlands.
Beauty and the Beast
NoMeansNo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beauty lies in the eyes
Behold the eyes where it lies
If beauty lies in the eyes
Behold the eyes the beast
You, you're beautiful
You, you're beautiful
Beauty talks but beauty lies
A feast of eyes where beauty walks
Behold the eyes the beast
You, you're beautiful
You, you're beautiful
Beauty struts and beauty flaunts
'cause this is what the eyeball wants
Beauty doesn't stand a chance
Behold the eyes of the beast
Those hungry eyes on beauty's parts
Those burning eyes on beauty's parts
Those burning eyes so dark and hot
Dark and hot dark and hot dark and hot
Behold the eyes
The song "Beauty and the Beast" by NoMeansNo explores the idea of beauty as a subjective concept that lies in the eyes of the beholder. The verses highlight the contradictory nature of beauty as something that can both attract and deceive. The lyrics suggest that beauty can be a powerful force that can awaken the inner beast in people. The singer seems to warn of the danger that lies in the eyes of the beast, explaining how beauty doesn't stand a chance when confronted with the hungry and burning gaze of the beast.
Throughout the song, the chorus repeats the phrase "You, you're beautiful," seemingly addressing a specific individual. The repetition of this line can be interpreted in different ways. On one hand, it can be seen as a compliment to the person's physical appearance, emphasizing their beauty. On the other hand, it can be viewed as a warning, suggesting that the person's beauty is what attracts the beast and puts them in danger.
Overall, the lyrics of "Beauty and the Beast" convey a complex message about the nature of beauty and attraction. The song suggests that beauty can be both alluring and deceptive, and that there is a danger in giving in to our inner beastly desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Beauty lies in the eyes
Beauty is subjective and can only be held in the eyes of the beholder.
Behold the eyes where it lies
Look into the eyes to find what is truly beautiful.
If beauty lies in the eyes
Assuming that the perception of beauty lies in the eyes is true.
Behold the eyes the beast
Look into the eyes of the beast to see what it desires.
You, you're beautiful
Addressing someone or something that is beautiful.
Beauty talks but beauty lies
People or things that are perceived as beautiful may not always be truthful or honest.
Beauty wakes the beast inside
Beauty can excite the inner desires of a person or an animal.
A feast of eyes where beauty walks
Whenever or wherever something beautiful appears, it draws attention and admiration.
Beauty struts and beauty flaunts
Beauty often shows off or displays itself.
'cause this is what the eyeball wants
People or animals desire to see and appreciate beauty.
Beauty doesn't stand a chance
In a world that values beauty, those who are not perceived as beautiful may struggle to fit in or be accepted.
Those hungry eyes on beauty's parts
The eyes of others may be drawn to or fixate on certain aspects of beauty.
Those burning eyes on beauty's parts
The eyes of others may become passionate or intense when looking at certain aspects of beauty.
Those burning eyes so dark and hot
The eyes of others can be intense, passionate, and maybe even dangerous when looking at beauty.
Behold the eyes
Look into the eyes to discover what lies inside.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben McGarity
Absolutely love it.
girlshawn
Love this song! :)
martin evensen
andy kerr is brilliant. he should have staid in the band. this is great song