Bands You May Not Have Heard Of - No Outlet

Welcome back true believers. For the second installment of this hopefully growing series that I started way back with Magic Goat we have No Outlet!
No Outlet is a young Ska band that hails from somewhere I hope to never go again, Texas. Despite their age and relative new steady formation they are a solid band of musicians. You can see the progression and growth of this band if you listen to their older songs compared to the more recent; its always great to see a band growing.
I definitely suggest that you go to their web page (http://www.myspace.com/nooutletska). The two songs that they have up from their most recent album, It's Time, are very well written songs and if any true example of the whole album would make the album worth picking up. Life's a Game is a little more on the pop side of things. Its a fun song with really catchy horn lines and hooked lyrics. The beats change and don't become stagnit and there are some breaks just using one instrument which shows some thought was used; instead of just playing and playing the same all the way through. Every instrument is allowed to have its moment to shine, which is good.
Red Handed is much harder, but still maintains is hooks. I also like that while being maybe on the fast side the drums don't push it anymore; keeping the beat while holding back to keep the song from feeling rushed. Some people may not like the distorted song, but it works well and I can't find a problem with it; where a lot of times too much distortion ruins the feel. Something noteworthy about this song and even others is when it comes to the horn lines the highs and lows are balanced. Some bands tend to play in one octave too much which can grow weary on the ears.
Thats all I have to say about them in my review. I'd certainly go give them a chance and give the songs a listen, its worth it.
http://www.myspace.com/nooutletska

Now here is an interview with Eric the vocalist and guitarist.

1. So lets start off with the standard stuff. Tell us about the band in general: ages, outside involvement, personalities etc.

Colin-18- Cut from high school baseball team, is now depressed, but not really. Music major. Eric (me) -17-In free time manages the band,plays the guitar, jokes around, and ... patrols the internet. Brandon-18- Recently got his tattoo, plays bass, and works hard for his money ;). John-18- Watches indie films,plays drums then makes films. Jake-17- Band Mascot, and plays trumpet good. Stephen-16- Plays Pokemon all day and everyday, and occasionally trombone.

Basically, Me, John, and Brandon started playing at the end of 2003, and had some brass members come and go but we found a steady brass section at the end of last summer. We Recorded a cd with our members that went off to college, and this summer we went on a small tour and on July 8th we starting working on our next cd, which will blow the old one out of the water.

2. Whats it like to be a young Ska band these days? What is your general reception?

Well it sucks because no one takes you seriously at face value, the find out how old you are and assume you wont be good. When people do hear us play though they come up and tell us they were totally surprised, which we take as a compliment. People have told us, that wanting to be in a national touring ska band is a stupid aspiration for our life, and we intend to prove them wrong.

3. What is the Ska scene in your area like? Any other bands we may know of?

The Ska scene is terrible. Plenty of bands in North Texas but nobody goes and sees them. Plenty of people like ska, but hardly any go to the shows. Uh, Detonate? They are doing some national touring lately, but not any name brand bands. Just local bands, it's Texas.

4. What are the roles/jobs of each band member? Who lends more work to the song writing process?

Well, when we writes songs, I write lyrics and try and bring the beat in my head to the guitar. Then I show it to the rest of the guys and they right the respective parts, for their respective instruments. Usually for the brass, one person writes a song, and then other people harmonize notes. Then if part of the song doesn't sound right, some one says to cut it and that part of the song goes away. Everyone tweaks the songs equally.

5. What are your ambitions for the future? Any plans for a tour?

We think that people will really like this new CD,so hopefully it will launch into something more widely know. Maybe a label but not for money. Hopefully we will be able to tour this upcoming summer for a few weeks. We made some friends while on our little tour this summer, so they said that we could come out to San Diego and LA and they would hook us up, and we'll just "mypace" our way to the rest of the tour.

6. What band or artists do you hold as role model?

Uh, I personally hold Jessie Michalels of the highest regard, but I think we all idolize the Specials, the Bosstones, the Cat Empire, the Slackers, Cacth 22 (all of it), and anything with a baritone sax.

7. If there is something you personally could do differently in your music; what would it be?

Write slow songs like The Slackers, Westbound Train, and Sublime.

8. As a band do you hold any social or political ideals?

Um... Half the time the lyrics are political and social, but slightly veiled in metaphors. Everyone in the band has their own ideas on things, so as a band we have no collective views, the music should speak for itself. How lame would it be to see some ska band bad mouth The government and how we should over throw it. You are there to listen to music, not the revolt of the liberals. So...not really no.

9. What is the one band you would love to play a show with?
Streetlgiht Manifesto, be cause they are good, and the exposure would be amazing.