No Gimmick

No Gimmick website
We had a chance to talk to local punk band No Gimmick at their 2nd CD release party at Jugheads located at 5110 E. McDowell, on Friday 7/19. This is definitely a Parental Advisory sticker situation, but if you like your music, no holds barred, take a listen to their latest CD One Wop, Two Micks and a Bean. Here's what the band has to say about themselves and the local punk scene.

AL
Who exactly is No Gimmick?
NG
J.D., Josh the bass player - (who hadn't made it to the club yet), Johnny, and Nick

AL
Have you always been No Gimmick?
NG
No - we were Where's Mike, Piss Bottle, then they were in some other bands before getting back together again.

AL
Ok - typical questions now, who were your influences?
NG
I'm ready (Johnny) - NOFX, Propagandhi, Misfits and Screaching Weasel.
J.D. - Lagwagon
Nick - Goldfinger, Green Day, BLINK (in big letters as requested by Nick
The rest of the band has requested a disclaimer to go with Nick's influences as they argued about whether these whould be No Gimmicks influences or Nicks personal influences.

AL
Where do you want to be in 5 years? Will you still be arguing over influences?
NG
J.D. - I want to be signed to a label and getting paid for our music.
AL
Do you want to be on an independent label or a big corporate label? and why?
NG
Independent we would have more control, but it would depend on the deal.
AL
So you all fully expect to still be playing, but signed.
NG
yeah

AL
Do all of you have "real" jobs?
NG
All of us have real jobs, but Josh just got fired. (Josh is still not here yet)

AL
Where are you guys all from?
NG
Johnny - I'm from Chicago, J.D. is from Phoenix and so is Nick, Josh is from California,

AL
So when you guys are done playing, do you usually hang out together and do stuff?
NG
Johnny - we do, J.D., Johnny and Nick do. Josh is usually not here, it's pretty much like it is now.

AL
What do you do that no one would think you would do, what are your dirty secrets?
NG
Johnny - I'm a huge sports fan. All Chicago teams, Diamondbacks, college basketball, Suns, Jordan.
J.D - wake up early but not by choice, it's the job.
Nick - I don't know, I don't really do anything.

AL
K - now the not so usual questions
AL
What do you guys think about the modern punk scene right now as opposed to the early days
NG
Now it's more mainstream, there's a lot more money going toward punk rock
AL
How do you guys feel about that - is it good or bad?
NG
Both, Johnny - but it's moving in the right direction, Nick - like the whole ska thing where people were just throwing up ska bands, now there just throwing up punk bands, J.D. - I don't like the young kids getting all the attention - I mean we've been doing this a long time, bands like Sum 41, Nick - they already have 3 albums out.

AL
How's the club scene, are they pretty supportive of punk bands here in Arizona?
NG
Yeah, they are.

At this point their gorilla showed up, it is not an official mascot, but he's pretty supportive of the band and he plans on throwing bananas during the show.
AL
What would be your perfect venue and why
NG
Jugheads but bigger, actually we'd have to combine a few clubs.
Nick - it would have been Electric Ballroom.

AL
What's the worst thing about being in a band.
NG
(all) Putting up with these guys, Johnny - getting these guys to practice.
AL
Really - walk us through a typical practice session for you guys, what's your practice schedule like?
NG
Johnny - Usually 3-4 times a week if all goes well, it's about 3 hours long, we brainstorm, go over stuff, Nick - if it's before a show, we write a set list and run through it. Nick - I usually write the set list. Josh and Johnny write most of the music right now.
AL
How many times are you playing out right now?
NG
Was about 3 - 7 times a month.
AL
Are you guys looking forward to doing a tour?
NG
Oh yeah,

AL
What's the one song off your set list you wish people wouldn't request, but they do any way?
NG
Anything/Anything (the cover)
AL
Then what song is your favorite, but the audience doesn't really go for.
NG
We'll probably all disagree on this
Johnny - my favorite song is Pipedream,
J.D - my favorite song is Sex and Karma,
Nick - my favorite is Pipdream.
AL
To play, or you just like them?
NG
Johnny - everything about it. J.D. I'm really proud of that song, it's really fun to play.
We all have different songs that we like to play.
AL
Ok - we just have to ask so everyone knows - what's your favorite food
AL
Johnny - Mexican,
J.D. Fettucine Alfredo and Pizza,
Nick - Orange Chicken, yeah Orange Chicken.
AL
Do you guys recall a time when you were ever scared on stage, the crowd was out of control or something was going on?
NG
No, no one really throws anything and no one really moshes.
Johnny - when there's no one there.
AL
Well that's it for now. Let's get a partial band picture before we go.
Thanks a lot you guys, when do you go on tonight?
NG
Around midnight.
AL
We'll be back later around midnight to see you guys play.