Grandpa rock
Nomeansno are two things above all else: old as fuck and louder than fuck.
They’ve been touring annually across Canada and intermittently across the world since 1979, pushing a version of jazz-infused old-school punk rock that has been universally acclaimed from day one. Some say they invented math rock, but don’t hold that against them.
I’ll admit I knew they’d been around for a long time before seeing them on Saturday night but I was genuinely surprised to see how old they really are. It’s like watching your grandfather rocking out and screaming his head off. And rock out they do; its been years since I’ve heard a show that loud. I had 33 db-reducing earplugs in and it was still loud. They hit every note perfectly and its pretty easy to see why they’ve been able to sustain the interest of music fans for so long.
If you haven’t been introduced to Nomeansno they’ve got a long career of songs to choose from, and their spirit of adventurous songwriting is readily apparent no matter which album you’re listening to. The songs you’ll find below are from the group’s latest album, All Roads Lead To Ausfahrt, released in 2006. I find it astounding that men of their age can still create music as powerful, complex, confounding, and interesting as they do while keeping up the kind of touring schedule they have.
Respect.
Also, please note there is a track included from Saskatoon’s Ultimate Power Duo. The tragically-monikered trio have a really exceptional new album out, and while we showed up too late to see them open thanks to a dinner party, I still enjoy them enough to recommend you at least give them a try. They’re playing Regina again this Friday at O’Hanlons if you’re in town.
Nomeansno - Heaven Is The Dust Between My Shoes [7:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Nomeansno - Slugs Are Burning [3:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Nomeansno - Mondo Nihlissimo 2000 [2:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Ultimate Power Duo - Illustro Indoles [3:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadNomeansno are sort of self-releasing most of their stuff these days. I have no idea to find it without going into an actual physical record store, although InterPunk has some and iTunes has material here as well as here.
Ultimate Power Duo have electronic files available for purchase from the fine people at Zunior. CDs from Saved By Radio.
