Nots

Nots, the Memphis, Tennessee outfit devoted to what they term "weird punk," specialize in brisk, stripped-down, hard-hitting numbers driven by serrated guitar lines, harsh electronic textures, and disorienting washes of reverb. Launched in 2011 as a bare-bones duo, the group quickly earned support from the local blues-punk imprint Goner Records and evolved into a four-piece sonic powerhouse by the time of their debut full-length in 2014. Their 2019 release 3 marked both the band’s third album and their first outing as a trio, yet the sound remained every bit as forceful and robust.

Guitarist Natalie Hoffmann and drummer Charlotte Watson founded Nots in 2011; Hoffmann, who had previously split time between Nots and Ex-Cult, eventually focused solely on the former, while Watson brought experience from the Manatees. Initially performing as a duo, they soon became a trio upon recruiting bassist Madison Farmer, whose prior credits included Chain & the Gang and Toxie. Goner Records issued the band’s first 7-inch, “Dust Red,” in October 2013. Roughly a year later Nots unveiled their debut album We Are Nots, now expanded to a quartet featuring keyboardist Alexandra Eastburn. The 2016 follow-up Cosmetic arrived with yet another lineup shift, as Meredith Lones took over bass duties from Farmer.

Throughout 2017 Nots issued four singles—one captured live at Third Man Records—alongside a limited-edition live album titled Live at Third Man Records. The same year they undertook their inaugural Australian tour, and in 2018 they appeared at Oakland’s Burger Boogaloo Festival. Following Eastburn’s exit, the remaining members continued as a trio, delivering the leaner yet equally potent 3 in 2019.