No Call No Show, The Interview
No Call No Show is a punk band hailing from Staten Island. Each song stretches the boundaries of the punk by incorporating heavy metal beatdowns and screamo style vocals. Mike Nice is the founder/guitarist/singer of the band, which was formed in 2018. Josh Salant is the drummer and recording engineer of the band since 2020. The newest addition is Paul Terzano on bass as of 2024.
Their latest record entitled “release the grease“ came out on Aug 6, 2025 with the new single "lizard Tung" preceding that in July 2025. Their previous releases Punk AF (2021), Too Punk 2 Fuck (2023) and The Villain (2024). Their record release party was Aug 30 at Bar Freda. The band usually plays tri-state punk/hardcore/metal scene.
Your music is described as stretching the boundaries of punk with heavy metal and screamo elements. What was the specific inspiration behind this unique sound?
Mike Nice (guitar, vocals): I always loved the punk attitude and vibe of fast thrashy songs with the dance break in the middle or epic instrumental solo. Suicidal Tendencies, Rancid and Minor Threat are a good example of punk bands that influence my writing. The combination of melodic guitar solos and in your face bass breaks are some of my favorite things about those bands. A lot of the metal influence comes from listening to System of A Down, Korn, The Blood Brothers, anything with Mike Patton or Ronnie Radke in the 2000s. These singers, all being extremely different from each other, were part of my regular listening and inspired me to keep the vocal style unique to every song.
Given that you often play the tri-state punk, hardcore, and metal scene, how have you found the reception to your blended genre?
People tend to enjoy our diversity. They say it’s entertaining which makes me happy. We can fit into a variety of bills. Sometimes we are the heaviest band on a mixed bill and others we are the act that bridges the gap between acts. I do tend to notice everyone I talk to has a different favorite song or ours. It’s cool in that way. We are focusing energy in making more metal songs in the studio because that’s where the inspiration is at the moment. In a short time we will able to choose between playing an entire metal set or punk set which will be beneficial when it comedy to booking.
Your latest album, "release the grease," came out on August 6th, preceded by the single "Lizard Tung" in July. What was the creative process like for this record, and how does it compare to your previous albums?
I wanted release the grease to be the heaviest music we could put out this year. A bunch of these songs have been brewing in the band between line up changes and we were already playing a bunch of the songs live so recording it was really fun.
Lizard Tung was the first song composed for this record. I wanted to do something where the chorus was just nasty growls the whole time. Musically I wanted to go back and forth between light and heavy, so a bit of an homage to Alice In Chains in the verses and then a nice doom metal bridge just felt appropriate. It was the hardest song to record just because of all the rhythmic elements and vibe changes. I think it took five takes! When other tracks on the record like Scumbag and Let it Sleep are more fun and high energy.
I also wanted to up the production value on this record so we spent time layering in overdubs. In Lizard Tung you will hear tambourines, acoustic guitar, three part vocal harmony- real tasty shit.
In Pestilence I added coughs from when I had bronchitis and was home sick for a week ! Scumbag has some giant gang vocal parts where we got a bunch of friends to come in and help in the chorus. And finally Let it Sleep features a Rhodes piano introduction played by our new bassist Paul who is secretly an amazing pianist since like 4 years old.
With a new album out and a new lineup solidified, what are the band's plans for the rest of 2025 and into the future?
I really want to get on some fucking festivals and venues. We rock the stage - if you are a promoter reading this go listen and send me a fucking email. I’m a professional at this shit so I won’t jerk you around . Haha but seriously I want bigger shows and am working on branding our sound and visuals out how to make everything look it’s best.
What led you to start No Call No Show in 2018? Did you have a clear vision for the band's sound from the beginning?
I wanted to start a hardcore band and I wanted to play guitar. I had been a bassist my whole career and was looking for something new where I can really express myself. Hardcore punk and guitar was the answer to that at the time . I had started to group with two friends who didn’t really play in bands often but wanted to play fast and heavy . Eventually we recorded an EP under the name “Get Off My Lawn” which was produced by Josh Salant. We started gigging, then COVID happened so we got a studio space in Gowanus, Brooklyn and started to write and record a lot . Then shit got weird and people got attitudes. Unfortunately friendships ended over interpersonal bullshit and I re-branded the band .
The name No Call No Show came to me because I worked retail and food service at some point in my life. When a person “no called” on a shift it was a nice way to say fuck you. And saying fuck you to things is always good. Ironically my previous drummer quit the band in the same way. Whattya gunna do?!
How do you approach songwriting for No Call No Show, from the lyrical themes to the guitar riffs and vocal style?
Writing songs takes time. Choosing the right words is often an arduous process that goes through many revisions. Some songs have been ideas or themes in my playing since my teenage years. Others are new riffs that come out stream of consciousness when jamming by myself or with the guys.
Recently song writing has gotten more collaborative between me and the guys in the band. It helps everyone perform and understand a song structure when they have a part in controlling it.
Lyrically I like to write about my relationships with people , institutions, philosophies. I want to keep things positive while at the same time speak my truths and try to be as relatable as possible. People like to sing along - you just gotta give ‘em something honest to say.
With new members joining over the years, how has the band's dynamic and sound evolved under your leadership?
I am fortunate to have a solid partner in my drummer Josh. josh is a really easy going guy who is always keeping it light and making sure the vibe is positive. When there are hard decisions to be made or conflicts that arise I usually consult him to help me understand what exactly needs to happen and how to make that happen diplomatically.
The music has changed a bit towards the technical and evolved side with our new bassist. Paul is technically proficient at the guitar and piano so he has the facilities to play what I write for him and improvise and express himself within my writing structures.
When the band is consistent the vibe is usually good. People go through things, myself included so I have the philosophy with my guys to keep open communication. We only do shows and songs everyone is interested in doing to keep energy high. We also like to hang and eat. Eating with your band mates and bullshitting is so important.
You've released four albums since 2021. What drives your creative output, and how do you maintain such a consistent release schedule?
I’m always trying new ideas musically whenever I can on whatever instrument I can get my hands on so that helps me get songs going. I am always learning songs to teach my students at work which inspires me to write sometimes.
I also bite off enough to chew on for a while so I keep myself involved musically in a diverse world of musicians . Sometimes I get called as a bassist some times as a musical director or acoustic guitarist. I like to keep it moving and it helps turn the gears .
Josh once again comes into play here too because his studio is such a turnkey environment. He records everything we play. Like every rehearsal so when there are good ideas we catch ‘em and listen back. Then shit marinates from there. And then when it comes time record we are cozy with the tracks from gigging and rehearsing/listening back so our ears are prepped when we make the decision to record something for real.
Lastly with everything being so bite sized online I feel like releasing 3-6 songs a clip gets more traction then a whole EP . It allows songs to get their time on to be heard and is an easier framework to manage during the overdubbing process.
The album titles are very distinctive—"Punk AF," "Too Punk 2 Fuck," "The Villain," and now "release the grease."
What's the story behind the naming convention?
I like having short titles that make cultural references in some way. Song titles should have a cadence to them when you say them in my opinion.
I felt the first record needed to be called what it was and that was as Punk as Fuck as we could be so Punk AF was easy enough. The second one was a play on the Dead Kennedys Too Drunk To Fuck . And it was the second release with only two songs on it.
The Villain became the title of the third record because I felt like the band members I had been working with previously saw me as the bad guy in the making of the record and both dropped out pretty abruptly and with no tact during the recording process . We had ten songs almost done and shit hit the fan with the guys within the same year . So I recorded the project solo doing most of the work at my house and then getting Josh in there at his house with the drumming and mixing etc .
And the newest one “ Release the Grease“ it’s as cool if title as it is a concept for heavy sludgy groovy rock . I wanted this record to be heavier than the other stuff and wanted to get animated with graphics.
Links
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nocallnoshowband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncnsband
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@nocallnoshowband?si=zO-xaG2_o9MNcICp
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/06baI46lajNS77HQFECvEF?si=OUUmILiKTci4Sdl48t52fQ