by Cosmo Lee

It’s hard to believe that No Use for a Name has been around for almost 20 years. Formed in 1987, the California band has been a mainstay of the Fat Wreck pop punk sound. Classic albums like “Leche Con Carne” and “More Betterness!” have ensured No Use for a Name’s place in the punk annals, but the band is still kicking out the jams with worldwide tours and its latest album, “Keep Them Confused.”

The album has been out for some time now, but it sounds as fresh as the day it came out. “Keep Them Confused” is possibly the band’s finest moment, featuring its most mature songwriting to date. Aspiring songwriters, take note - every melody and chord change here is perfectly timed and makes complete sense. With clean, full production and a diverse mix of fast and slow songs, the album sounds better and better with each listen. That’s the sign of a classic in the making.

Modern Fix caught with singer/guitarist Tony Sly for some words about punk, politics, and, yes, aging.

No Use for a Name is almost 20 years old. What’s the secret to aging gracefully?
Tony Sly: Lots of moisturizing and hydrating. Actually, I think it’s not getting tired of playing music by trying to expand your sound. Willing to try new ways of pleasing yourself musically.

How has punk changed during your career? Has your perception changed of what is punk?
I don’t really know what punk is anymore but it’s being broadcast on Fuse and MTV. I think punk used to be about community and social awareness and now it’s more about exposure and money, punk sounding music that is. It’s a pretty mis-used word, I think. Punk was about an underground scene that didn’t need mass exposure to gain notoriety. Not sure, but I think punk might actually be dead.

The band has worked with punkvoter.com and the “Rock Against Bush” campaign. At this point in Bush’s second term, what’s the relevance of punkvoter.com, and what direction should the left take?
I don’t know. I think the left needs a good candidate for the next election so that we don’t get someone like John McCain for president. I think that raising awareness for young potential voters will always be important and relevant.

The band’s first album, “Incognito” was dark, almost metallic. What prompted the shift to a poppier, more melodic sound?
I guess maturity. I’ve always liked more melodic music. My influence of 60’s pop was growing back then where as in high school it was more about what we called “cross-over” bands like DRI and Dr. Know. In the early nineties it was all about Bad Religion, who were the first to implement the three part harmony into punk.

“For Fiona” is one of the album’s highlights. Can you say more about the song? Who is Fiona? What does the line “So you stay young while I get old” mean?
Fiona is my daughter. I figure she’s going to young for a long time so that’s where that line comes from. That song, at least the lyrics, are kind of campy for my normal tastes but it seemed like I had no choice, seeing that at that time all I was doing at home was changing diapers, getting barfed on and writing songs.

“For Fiona” and “Divine Let Down” feature drum machine beats. How did this come about?
“Fiona” drums are real, it’s just an effect. “Divine Let Down” was written in the studio after Rory had already packed up the drums and gone home so electronic drums had to happen.

What’s your favorite piece of musical gear?
My white Les Paul custom. My black Les Paul was stolen on the 2005 Warped Tour and I decided that if my white one ever got stolen, I’d probably just quit playing music. That’s how much I like it, but I’m half kidding.

Of the chain restaurants to eat on the road, which is your favorite?
Not Waffle House or Denny’s. I’ll go with Chili’s just based on their margaritas and chips and salsa.

What has roughly 20 years in the game taught you?
How to function with minimal sleep, how to eat pizza four times a week and how to appreciate things like your own bed.

nouse4aname.com

2005 “Keep Them Confused” (Fat Wreck Chords)
2002 “Hard Rock Bottom” (Fat Wreck Chords)
2001 “Live in a Dive” (Fat Wreck Chords)
1999 “More Betterness!” (Fat Wreck Chords)
1997 “Making Friends” (Fat Wreck Chords)
1995 “Leche Con Carne” (Fat Wreck Chords)
1993 “Daily Grind” (Fat Wreck Chords)
1991 “Don’t Miss the Train” (New Red Archives)
1990 “Incognito” (New Red Archives)