Music - N.O.T.A.

None Of The Above (also known as N.O.T.A. for short) was a hardcore punk band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, initially active from 1979 to 1987, always featuring lead guitarist and vocalist Jeffrey Klein. Around 1993 the band would reform with lots of members coming in and out, before the band would break up in 2000. Since their beginnings in '79, they became a pretty well-known and respected band, and is one of the defining early punk-rock bands to come out of Oklahoma.

N.O.T.A. would release various EPs and singles throughout the years, as well as 2 full-length albums. Personally, I'm a big fan of their first few releases. Their debut 7" Toy Soldiers E.P. from 1984 is a particularly great sample of what the band has to offer. The third song on that EP, Fucked Up, is one of my favorite hardcore songs of all time. Amazing lyrics sung at frantic speeds with guitars so fast they'd shred your fingers into bits. I personally love songs about being a shitty punk (not to use them as an excuse to be a shitty person, though, that should go without saying), songs like these are just made to have fun, and that's a big reason why I love hardcore. Another great example of N.O.T.A.'s writing comes forth with their Self-Titled LP released in 1985; from the rocking ballads like On The Pavement and Frustration, to shorter, thrashier tracks like Ultra Violent, Takin' Away Your Rights, and so much more. The time N.O.T.A. spent was never wasted.

Then, there's the 90's. I quite enjoy what the band did in those times too, Jeff Klein keeps his vocals sharp like he did in the 80's, even if not as young as he clearly used to be. Their second LP, Give 'Em Enough Dope, is a very solid hardcore record, and I'd say alongside with their other 90's releases, they did their short reforming a good service. I'll be leaving downloads for all the stuff from N.O.T.A. that I have, which you can find below. Thank you for reading.

On The Pavement (Demo, 1982)

1. On The Pavement

2. One By One

3. Deadhead

4. Casualty

5. Nothin' Going On

6. Riot Kids

7. Nightstick Justice

8. Apathy

Toy Soldiers E.P. (1984)

1. Toy Soldiers

2. Justice In America

3. Fucked Up

4. Cattle Call

5. Riot Kids

None Of The Above (1985)

1. Ultra Violent

2. Den Of Thieves

3. I Should Kill You

4. Reckless

5. Takin' Away Your Rights

6. On The Pavement

7. Keeping You Out

8. Sick Society

9. Frustration

10. Self Destruct

11. Police Front

12. War On Wankers

13. Nightstick Justice

14. Propaganda Control

15. Redneck Mentality

16. Identity Crisis

17. Drugs And Sex

18. Cut The Shit

19. Summer Of '82

Give 'Em Enough Dope (1996)

1. These Streets

2. You Make Me Sick

3. New America

4. Face The Fact

5. Hell Hole

6. Overexposed

7. Blackout

8. Disconnect Me

9. On The Run

10. You Bore Me

11. Pawn Shop

12. When I'm Rich

13. Suicidal Cowboys

14. Natural Born Bum

15. Miserable Life

16. Hitler Was A Vegetarian

17. Untitled

18. I Should Kill You (Live)
19. This Country (Was Once Free) (Live)

20. Toy Soldiers (Live)

21. Identity Crisis (Live)

22. Frustration (Live)

23. Cut The Shit (Live)

24. War On Wankers (Live)

25. On The Pavement (Live)

26. Moscow (Live)

27. Nightstick Justice (Live)