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.
Victoria
NoMeansNo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seas of green skies of lead
Constant rain on my head
Stately homes for the rich
Bowling green, cricket pitch
Victoria, what a bitch
Victoria
I was born in a place
Where the cops spray their mace
On the kids at the gigs
And they act just like pigs
Beat 'em up, knock 'em down
Victoria what a town
Victoria
Land of hope and gloria
Stuck in old victoria
Guaranteed to bore ya
Sentenced to victoria
Gordon head to james bay
Yuppies flock to this place
Victoria, what a waste
From Oak Bay to the Gorge
All the geeks at the forge
Victoria, what a bore
Victoria
The song "Victoria" by NoMeansNo is a commentary on the town of Victoria located in British Columbia, Canada. The lyrics are full of irony, as they describe Victoria as a place of both beauty and misery. The first verse juxtaposes newlyweds with nearly deads, and seas of green with skies of lead, creating a sense of both hope and despair. The constant rain on the singer's head further emphasizes the dreary nature of the town. The second verse describes Victoria as a place where the police use mace on kids at concerts and behave like pigs. The chorus repeats the city's name and labels it a "bitch" and a "waste."
Line by Line Meaning
Newly weds, nearly deads
The city of Victoria is designed for affluent elderly residents or newly married couples, thus leading to a lack of diverse age groups.
Seas of green skies of lead
The natural beauty of Victoria is overshadowed by the city's industrialization and pollution.
Constant rain on my head
Rainfall is a common occurrence in Victoria, causing discomfort and frustration for residents and visitors alike.
Stately homes for the rich
Victoria's architecture and housing are catered towards the wealthy, leaving little space or resources for the lower and middle class.
Bowling green, cricket pitch
The recreational activities available in Victoria are limited and traditional, reflecting the city's lack of innovation or diversity.
Victoria, what a bitch
The city of Victoria is perceived as frustrating and unpleasant.
I was born in a place
The singer is reflecting on their upbringing and background.
Where the cops spray their mace
Police brutality is a common occurrence in the area.
On the kids at the gigs
Young people attending events or concerts are frequently met with excessive force from law enforcement.
And they act just like pigs
The singer is criticizing the behavior of the police force in Victoria.
Beat 'em up, knock 'em down
The police force in Victoria is known for using excessive force and violence against its citizens.
Victoria what a town
The singer reflects on the many negative aspects of Victoria.
Land of hope and gloria
Despite its name, Victoria does not live up to its perceived reputation as a place of opportunity and prosperity.
Stuck in old victoria
Victoria is a city that is resistant to change and progress.
Guaranteed to bore ya
Victoria lacks interesting or stimulating activities or entertainment.
Sentenced to victoria
The singer feels trapped in Victoria.
Gordon head to james bay
The singer is referencing the various neighborhoods in Victoria.
Yuppies flock to this place
Wealthy young professionals are drawn to the city of Victoria.
Victoria, what a waste
The singer laments how Victoria caters to the elite and neglects the average citizen.
From Oak Bay to the Gorge
The singer is referencing the different areas within Victoria.
All the geeks at the forge
Victoria lacks a thriving tech or innovation scene, leading to limited opportunities for those interested in those fields.
Victoria, what a bore
The artist finds Victoria uneventful, lacking in entertainment or unique experiences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julian Warmington
Great lyrics, and really nice production: sweet balance of that tight, tight dry drum track and thumping bass.
zubizuva
Damn I love this song
mrmojorisin1
FUCK YEAH VICTORIA! Best place ever
Dean DuPont
Given that Victoria gave the world both NoMeansNo and the DayGlo Abortions, it can't be *that* horrid of a place... But I've never been further north than Redding, so who knows.
Ari Laanela
Blows
Kathy Smith
Bad town
Bob Smith
Victoria is a great place to live. In no small part to the contribution these guys made. I grew up watching NMN play little all ages gigs and Dayglos as well. It was so fucking fun!
Dead Horse
John Justin Flett my dear old friend introduced me to this song, RIP Justin
Climberson
More cowbell, dammit!
reuireuiop0
Guaranteed to bore-iya,
so keep waiting