NO GOOD HEROES (1997-2002)

"Remember when Punk Rock stood for something besides a surly attitude and a multi-colored hair dye kit, when it was a reaction to a bloated music industry and a poke in the eye to the status quo of the mid '70s? Local Punk quartet No Good Heroes does, and does so despite the fact that they were still wetting diapers when Johnny Rotten was ranting about the dreadful state of England's middle class. And like the old schoolers of yore, No Good Heroes' brand of Punk focuses on the real shit, too -- or as bassist John Plummer puts it, 'We sing what's real to us.'

What's real to them are socially charged explorations into ills of the middle class. With songs titles like "Volunteer," "Condition Red," "Show of Hands" and "Rebellion," No Good Heroes wear their interests on their well-informed sleeves.

NGH's twin guitar/vocal attack of Shane Johnson and Bryan Workman and Reggae-infused rhythm section of Plummer and drummer Jaime Halliman conjure memories of early Clash or, at times, even '80s greats, The Minutemen. Johnson and Workman trade lead vocal duties (each sings their own lyrics), and somehow both sound like Shane MacGowan on steroids, shouting out politically conscious lyrical rants with passion and grit.

On a warm spring evening in early May, I met with the guys following a local gig to discuss the band's recently released full-length debut, Radio Rebelde, and a bit of band history.

Two days later, according to Johnson, No Good Heroes are no more. "For right now we're done. We haven't really talked about what we're going to do next," he says.

Say what? How's that for a story killer?

Alas, we shall soldier on with the modest but worthy tale of No Good Heroes.

NGH formed in the winter of 1996 when Johnson and Workman met Plummer at a local technical school.

'Bryan and John actually started the idea of putting a band together, and I joined the picture a few weeks later,' Johnson says. 'Bryan and I knew this woman named Kerri Breeze that played drums, so we asked her to play. Our first show was in August of 1997.'

From there the band landed gigs at the usual local breeding grounds for original music: the once thriving Sudsy Malone's and the now defunct Ripley's. The demise of both -- not to mention The Void's recent problems -- has thinned out an already small crop of Punk-friendly venues. Yet Johnson sees reason to be excited about the current scene.

'I don't think enough bands in this city get the due credit they deserve. The idea that most bands aren't 'good' until they have signed to some pathetic record deal is a joke. I could name 100 bands in this city that I'd rather listen to than what's playing on your local Clear Channel station,' says Johnson. 'The problem lies mostly in the fact that there is no place to play. The Void is an amazing place, but receives no support from the city or community -- other than bands. That is the only place that provides an all-ages space that people can go hang out at and see a show.'

Breeze left the band in 1999 just as Plummer took some time off for the birth of his first child. NGH's future was in doubt. 'Many drummers and a few bass players came and went but nothing materialized,' says Johnson.

Things turned in early 2000 with Plummer's return and the recruitment of Halliman to play drums. In late 2000 the foursome started recording demos with local music scene veteran Mike Montgomery (of Thistle and El Gigante).

'Mike is the only guy we have ever done studio work with,' Johnson says, 'and frankly, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather work with. He'll tell you flat out if he thinks it sucks and that you could probably do it better.'

The result of the sessions with Montgomery led to their eventual hook-up with Toronto-based indie Punk label, Insurgence.

'I was a big fan of some of the stuff that Mad Butcher Records was putting out at the time, both politically and musically,' says Johnson. "Their main theme was that of anti-fascism and the politics surrounding that movement. We sent a demo to both Insurgence and Mad Butcher. Both of them replied and informed us that they were partners and really wanted to put out something by us.'

Which brings us to NGH's untimely demise. With a solid new record on a respected indie label and a spirited live show, things seemed to be looking up for the band. Apparently that's not the case.

Johnson declines to get into specifics about the band's break-up, saying only that it's a 'long story.' But he did post this statement on the Nues Subjex (www.bored/nuessubjex.net ) online message board: 'Through an unfortunate turn of events, No Good Heroes are calling it quits. Some of us have more important responsibilities to adhere to, and it's no longer any fun to continue at its current state. There are some who may have a different opinion, but our close friends know all the reasons and more. Sorry that we had to cancel on the shows already booked. Thanks to everyone that came out to shows and have supported us through all the bullshit that's happened over the last five years. This may sound a bit mushy, but I honestly think we have a great 'scene' here and I'm glad that we were able to contribute what little we did. I'm not sure what lies ahead for the rest of us.'

Let's hope we hear from them sooner than later.'

Interview by Jason Gargano
City Beat, Vol. 8, Issue 26, May 22, 2002