NoMeansNo

NoMeansNo is one of Victoria's most successful bands. It was started by brothers Rob and John Wright in the late '70s. They were soon joined by Andy Kerr and have gone on to put out lots of albums. Kerr left in '91, moving to Amsterdam. He then started Hissanol with NoMeansNo producer and the godfather of Victoria's alternative scene, Scott Henderson. NoMeansNo has carried on with other musicians, sometimes as a trio and sometimes as a quartet, and is still going strong after over 20 years. Tom Holliston has played guitar with them for years. Tom is also frontman for The Show Business Giants, a band that has also included Andy, Scott and John. The Wright brothers and Tom have also recorded and toured as the VERY hockey-oriented punk band The Hanson Brothers (named after the brothers featured in the movie Slap Shot).

NoMeansNo have always blended a wild variety of styles to produce their own version of hardcore. They have been labelled 'artcore', 'thrash jazz' and 'avant garde experimentalism'. No matter what they are called they come through with a lot of great noisy guitar pop and biting lyrics. The media hasn't always known what to do with these guys as they can be uncooperative as in refusing to have their picture taken, but this attitude has only endeared them to their anti-establishment fans.

Most of the NoMeansNo albums are still available. They have had numerous singles and songs appearing on compilations.