NOT ALL? NOT are a band full of Punk-Rock veterans and they’re here to rock! Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
its no secret that this project is basically a dedication to the music of ALL and descendents that’s influenced us so greatly. I originally came up with GNOT, but it felt like that would cause problems since it’s a slightly tricky silent “G”. so then I shortened it, and having a 3 letter word felt even more appropriate to tip the hat to ALL. I guess we sound like all, but were NOT ALL, so its pretty fitting.
All?… NOT ALL!!!
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I grew up playing in punk bands around Birmingham and the west midlands of England. I Spent my teens releasing 7’s on small diy uk punk labels and diy touring. then In the mid-late 00’s my band beat union got signed in LA and we toured America pretty heavily. When we broke up I kinda took a leap of faith by staying in orange county. I worked in the hurley recording studio for years and somehow built up a pretty stable life in california. Whilst working on countless records for other bands and learning the engineering trade, I played in suedehead (pirates press records records) and sharp shock (heart and skull records). So I continued to write/ record/ tour on the side of studio work. By working in that studio I also connected with Brendan and jarred- I produced a record for their old band dead hand, (they were managed by my manager, stewart teggart, RIP) before they morphed into mercy music. Weve always been good friends and bonded over a love of all and descendents. I respect and admire their musicianship so much that When I came up with the vision for NOT they seemed the obvious people to do it with.
How would you describe your sound?
All? … NOT ALL!
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Of course all and descenedents. Beyond that, theres probably some influence of a lot of those other bands that have been flying that flag over the years.. big drill car, mxpx, pollen etc
What’s the last song you listened to?
I think it was kaleidoscope by the boo radleys, whilst on a bus from London to Birmingham last night
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Well ive been a dedicated vinyl collector my entire life. Literally about a month ago I went to the darkside that is spotify… so im currently diving into that as my biggest source.
Who is your dream producer?
I think for NOT then it of course has to be bill Stevenson/ the blasting room. However, ive always been so heavily influenced by the black flag/ descendents/ all diy work ethic from bill himself , that if were truly paying tribute to that sound, then the most suitable producer is me! Haha. So that’s why I record our music.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Again, I think it would have to be the team at the blasting room.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
Some of the first music to ever have an effect on me was the sountrack to 80s santa cruz skate video “streets on fire”. The whole soundtrack was SST records artists and despite being about 6 years old when I first saw it , I fell in love with all this American hardcore at that tender age. This was a pre internet time so I didn’t really know anything about the bands or punk in general. But once I got old enough to start record shopping in my early teens, I finally started connecting the dots to it all. I saw dinosaur on tv when I was 10 and decided I had to be in a band. It was probably another 10 years before I really decided to try and pursue music full time. I think by age 20 I had worked enough jobs to realize I was gonna be stuck in warehouses , factories or shops for the rest of my life unless I really tried to chase my musical dreams. So that’s when I got serious with beat union. Once that band lead me to America, I think it opened my eyes to the things I could achieve if I worked hard and focussed. So Ive been a workaholic ever since, trying not to go back to my old job in a warehouse in Birmingham, England. So fear of going backwards is probably part the motivation to keep making music. But also, im just in love with the process of songwriting. Im always searching for the next melody or lyrical idea for a chorus on a daily basis. It wont stop. Im always after the next song.. even if it doesn’t always come that quickly.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
I find the best songs come from an easy, natural and inspired lyrical idea or theme/ subject matter. Theres only so many chords/ notes in a scale, but there are endless words and subjects to sing about, as well as endless melodies. so, for me, the vocal really is THE SONG, so I tend to come up with a lyric and chorus melody first. Then ill fit some chords around that, either at the same time or later on. I usually start on acoustic. if a song is well crafted and impactful with just an acoustic guitar and a vocal, then you know it will be even greater once its got drums, bass, whistles and bells
Sometimes ill write the entire thing. Other times, if I hit a wall, then ill send my basic ideas to Brendan to bounce of him and maybe he will write a verse to my chorus and vice versa. Or he will suggest other chord progressions and such. Its great to collaborate with Brendan, because he can go in a direction I would never think of personally, yet I still always respect and like his ideas and writing talents.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
Well we still haven’t played any shows… so its social media all the way. @thebandnot
Instagram
Stop The World
Spotify
Wire Tap Records
What’s next for you?
Some more singles. Then and album on vinyl. Hopefully some shows
Bio:
NOT is the brainchild of singer/ songwriter Davey Warsop, the LA-based Brit known for fronting bands such as Beat Union, Suedehead and Sharp/Shock. Warsop met guitarist Brendan Scholz and bass player Jarred Cooper (both of Las Vegas’ Mercy Music) at a funeral, when their shared manager and So-Cal punk scene legend, Stewart Teggart tragically passed away. Through a shared love of pop-punk pioneers ALL and Descendents, the trio pulled in Kyle Whitmore on drums and decided to make a record dedicated to Teggart. It seemed fitting as it was their late friend and mentor that made their lives cross paths to begin with.
