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.
Red on Red
NoMeansNo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me
Not what was or could be
Not below or above
It's you that I love
Red on red
Now take me
Into the fat to fry
I'm sick of all these lies
Red on red
No means
Red on red
No means
Red on red
Sound and fury
Unjustified
Words polluted
With ego and pride
But there's a crocodile
Crawling up your spine
Up your spine, up your spine
Crawling up your spine
Keep crawling
Red on red
Are you dead?
Are you blind or just stupid?
Nothing can prop us up
We're burning up
Red on red
Red on red
You kill me
Rip me apart, I'm willing
As long s I'm standing here
There is no fear
Red on red
No means
Red on red
No means
Red on red
Built it up
Then tear it down
The bells are ringing
The prayers are done
Once she lived here
Now she's gone
So, rip it up
And tear it down
But it won't be long
Won't be long
Man, it won't be long
Red on red
You saved me
You burned me, I don't mean maybe
I don't know what you are
But I wear the scars
Like medals
Red on red
Red on red
By no means
No fucking bullshit dreams
I know why I'm here
It's ringing in my ears
Red on red
No means
Red on red
No means
Red on red
The lyrics to "Red on Red" by NoMeansNo explore the complex and often contradictory nature of relationships. The repeated phrase "red on red" emphasizes the intensity and volatility of the connection between two people. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply enamored with someone, as evidenced by the line "you make me not what was or could be." The person they love is above and beyond anything else, even as the world around them disintegrates. The second verse introduces the concept of a "crocodile crawling up your spine," suggesting that the relationship is not without its dangers and complications. Throughout, the lyrics are marked by a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the singer is fighting to keep their love from slipping away.
It's possible to interpret the song's title as a reference to the phrase "seeing red," which is often used to describe extreme anger or aggression. Alternatively, "red on red" could be taken to mean "love on love," indicating the intense emotional connection between two people. The song explores what happens when those emotions become overwhelming and destructive.
The music of "Red on Red" is similarly intense, with pounding drums and distorted bass creating a sense of urgency and chaos. The lyrics are delivered with a sense of raw emotion, as if the singer is barely holding onto their sanity. Overall, "Red on Red" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the powerful emotional pull that love can have.
Line by Line Meaning
Red on red
A description of the situation of the song: conflict between two parties who share similar viewpoints
You make me
The opposing party's actions directly affect the singer
Not what was or could be
The singer isn't interested in hindsight or potential outcomes
Not below or above
The opposing party is not lesser or greater than the artist
It's you that I love
Despite the conflict, protagonist still has strong feelings for the opposing party
Now take me
Protagonist requests action from the opposing party
Into the fat to fry
The action requested by the singer is dangerous or risky
Now who, what or why
The opposing party questions the reasoning behind protagonist's request
I'm sick of all these lies
The artist is tired of the opposing party's deceit
No means
Reiterating the message that the opposing party is not interested in the artist's request
Sound and fury
The conflict between the parties is filled with intense emotions
Unjustified
The reasons for the conflict are unwarranted or illogical
Words polluted
The words used by the opposing party are tainted with their own biases and ego
With ego and pride
The opposing party is too invested in their self-image
But there's a crocodile
A warning that danger is lurking, perhaps in the opposing party's motives or actions
Crawling up your spine
The danger is slowly approaching the opposing party
Keep crawling
An ominous warning to the opposing party to watch their back
Are you dead?
A question directed at the opposing party about their lack of response to the singer's plight
Are you blind or just stupid?
The singer is frustrated with the opposing party's lack of action or understanding
Nothing can prop us up
There is nothing that can save the relationship between the parties
We're burning up
The conflict between the parties is reaching a boiling point
You kill me
The opposing party's actions are harming the artist
Rip me apart, I'm willing
Despite the harm, the singer is willing to continue the relationship
As long as I'm standing here
The artist is committed to sticking around despite the harm
There is no fear
Despite the danger, the singer feels confident in their decision to stay
Built it up
A description of something that was once built up between the parties
Then tear it down
The relationship between the parties was gradually destroyed
The bells are ringing
A metaphor for change or breaking point
The prayers are done
A metaphor for the end of hope or faith
Once she lived here
A reference to a female figure who was once present in the situation
Now she's gone
The female figure is no longer part of the situation
But it won't be long
A warning that change is coming soon
Man, it won't be long
Reiterating that the upcoming change will be significant
You saved me
A moment when the opposing party did something to help the artist
You burned me, I don't mean maybe
Despite the help, the opposing party also caused harm
I don't know what you are
The artist is uncertain about the opposing party's motives or identity
But I wear the scars
The harm caused by the opposing party leaves a lasting impact on the singer
Like medals
A metaphorical description of the scars as something to be proud of
By no means
The singer is not interested in the opposing party's ideas or requests
No fucking bullshit dreams
A declaration against meaningless promises or hopes
I know why I'm here
A reminder to the artist about their own reasons for sticking around
It's ringing in my ears
The singer's own motivation is loud and clear
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Gabehart
Damn straight! These boys rule!
Cory Allan
AWESOME!!!
saintJ695
sing loud sing proud
Christopher Ortez
One of the greatest bands. So grateful to have seen them play live many times.
tipihedroncollider
Isnt it weird how music just swells up energy in you? Rawr! :D
SharksInTheGenePool
When a band's outtake songs are better than most bands real songs....
Christopher Ortez
While I agree this is a fantastic song, I respectfully disagree with the notion that NMN “real songs” are in any way subpar. Case in point, the entire WRONG album.
ian Last
Best shit ever