N.O.T.A.

N.O.T.A., short for None Of The Above, was an American hardcore punk band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the early 1980s. They emerged during the first wave of the US hardcore scene, but unlike many of the better-known bands from the East and West Coasts, N.O.T.A. developed their sound in the American Midwest, building a loyal following through relentless touring and a series of fast, aggressive releases. Their music mixed the speed and intensity of hardcore with a strong punk rock foundation, often incorporating melodic guitar leads and tightly played arrangements that gave their songs a distinctive edge.

 
The band's early line-up featured vocalist Jeff Hare, guitarist Mike Buckley, bassist Chris Moore, and drummer Jimmy Reeder, although personnel changed several times throughout the group's history. Like many hardcore bands of the era, N.O.T.A. went through a number of line-up shifts while continuing to perform and record, with each version of the band maintaining the raw energy that had become their trademark. 

N.O.T.A. quickly made an impression with their debut EP 'Moscow', released in 1982. Although the title reflected Cold War imagery common at the time, the record was less about politics than about capturing the frustration, urgency and youthful energy that defined early American hardcore. Their first full-length album, 'None Of The Above', followed in 1985 and expanded on the band's style, combining blistering tempos with more structured songwriting and memorable riffs. Tracks from these releases became underground favourites through tape trading, college radio and the growing independent punk network.

 
Throughout the mid-1980s the band toured extensively across the United States, sharing stages with many of the leading hardcore and punk acts of the period. Their live shows earned a reputation for being energetic and intense, helping them reach audiences far beyond Oklahoma. While firmly rooted in hardcore, N.O.T.A. never sounded completely confined by the genre's conventions, occasionally incorporating elements of traditional punk and hard rock into their music. 

After several years of constant activity, N.O.T.A. disbanded in 1987. Interest in the group's recordings remained strong within the hardcore underground, leading to a reunion in 1993. The reformed band returned to performing and recording with a refreshed line-up while staying faithful to the sound that had defined their early work. They remained active throughout the 1990s before bringing the band to an end in 2000.