With both a killer demo, as well as a killer EP under their belt, it was about time that I hit up frontman Jesse (ex-Criminal Intent / Skin Disorder) of NO PAROLE for a question or two! Especially since these Jersey maniacs are about to unleash some more "Violent Thoughts" soon through Contra Records and Longshot Music! Enjoy!
Hi Jesse, thanks for taking your time to do this interview! What's up?
JESSE: Not much just bumming around its a Sunday
You've been around for a while, fronting bands such as Skin Disorder and Criminal Intent in the past, but could you introduce the rest of the pack and their past experience of playing in bands?
JESSE: I sang in CRIMINAL INTENT from late 1999 to early 2004, by that time we had all started other bands and/or joined other bands. The thing that bummed me out the most about CI was that we never really had an official release other than 2 demo sessions. We did quite a few "reunion shows" afterwords in fact our final show was recorded for "NYC OI FEST Live" compilation that United Riot records released. Got asked to sing for SKIN DISORDER in early 2004 and we soldiered on until mid 2006. We recorded on single with me singing for Headache Records titled "Scars n Stripes" which has long sold out. There was a full length offer but we didn't stay together long enough to write or record much material due to other band members taking life obligations way more seriously (respectively so). We did reunite for one show in 2010 with CONDEMNED 84 which surprisingly went well yet never played again together again..
And when did it start to itch for you guys to get up and form a new band? What is the story behind No Parole?
JESSE: NO PAROLE had practiced quite a bit before I was asked to join. I knew Johny and Ray (NP guitarists) for quite a while before being asked to join. I always enjoyed playing in a band and will always love Oi music. So when asked, I automatically said yes. The guys who play in NO PAROLE are some of the better musicians I know over the years and the songs they sent me/ played for me made it impossible to say no to joining the band.
Your first release came out early 2015 in the form of a demo, an instant ripper if you ask me! What are some of the reactions that you received on this cassette?
JESSE: Everyone who has heard it has said nothing but nice things and we appreciate all the kind words. An old friend of our guitarist (Johny) named Joe recorded us in his basement.
In the past, the present and probably in the future as well, a lot of bands drop their first demo on a 7" as well. Why did you decide to not do that?
JESSE: the band wasn't too pleased with how the demo sounded and preferred to re-record all the songs instead. In face the new EP will be mostly songs from the demo session re-recorded. But heck, who knows, we never said never to releasing it on 7inch.
Instead your demo was shortly followed by a self-titled EP, featuring four brand new stormers on Mad At The World Records! Satisfied with how your first 'official' release turned out?
JESSE: Oh, of course and we have gotten a lot of positive feedback from friends in other bands and people we haven't even met before . We seem to be making a lot of people in Spain happy from what I gathered online. Also our bassist Chris did an awesome job drawing our cover art for the 7inch (if you ever are at the Jersey Shore he tattoos at a place called Black Panther tattoos in Brick, NJ)
What bands do you reckon influenced the raw and brutal sound of No Parole?
JESSE: A lot of UK82 punk and Oi (we have covered BLITZ and ANGELIC UPSTARTS), a lot of early USHC, and mostly Headache Record band such as WRETCHED ONES and NIBLICK HENBANE. Each member has their own personal influence although Lyle the drummer claims he hates everything.
Was it a conscious choice to work with a label that never really released an Oi! record yet, or was the Altered Boys connection reason enough to go ahead with MATWR?
JESSE: I have know Dan Scheme (guy who runs Mad At The World Records) for almost 20 years and the man is very dedicated to releasing quality records and has great knowledge of Oi, Punk, and HC music past and present. Also he does a really good job running a label regardless of how often he does releases these days. That being said we all felt comfortable working with Dan in releasing our material. If you ask me ALTERED BOYS (Ray's old band) should've gotten a lot more respect than they did because they kicked ass. They don't make HC punk music like that anymore.
So both the demo and the EP were released last year, what are your plans release-wise for 2016?
JESSE: Our newest 7inch "Violent Thoughts" should be released really soon on Longshot/Contra and we have been churning out a lot of new tunes. We want to release a full length in the not so distant future. Also shows, more shows. We are always looking to play out of state (New Jersey) either in the US or abroad so if you book shows and read this BOOK US!!
As you fronted various bands in the past, what do you think is the main difference between your previous outfits and No Parole, besides the musical differences?
JESSE: Hahaha, honestly not too much musically. Although CRIMINAL INTENT was a more HC influenced band and SKIN DISORDER had a more European Oi sound going. I will not a lot of the lyrics I wrote with CRIMINAL INTENT were rather nihilistic and from the more "live fast die young" attitude. Hence I was in my early 20s and was way more self destructive. I feel a lot of the lyrics I write now are a bit more level headed I guess, LOL!
Alright, I'm about to wrap it up... If there is anything you would like to add to this interview, feel free to do so! Thanks!
JESSE: Thanks Mano for the interview, check out our debut 7inch on Mad At The World Records and keep an eye out for our new one "Violent Thoughts" coming soon from Longshot/Contra Records. Feel free to contact us at NoParoleNJOi@gmail.com. PUT US ON SHOWS! WE NEED SHOWS! Oi! Stay in trouble!
