No Class Assassins

No Class Assassins is a very interesting and intense US band. They are a brutal metal band that stay true to the aesthetic of extreme music and rock’n roll. Here you have an EP that spawns 5 tracks that sound like a horde of panzers . Underneath this first impression however there is a wide range of different genres that together compose the huge wall of sound as in a grandiose puzzle. A high resolution in depth look will identify an oldschool death metal approach carved within a frame of modern groove metal , hardcore punk attitude with a subtle metalcore progression topping and straight forwad lyrics about everyday issues and life problems faced by every simple human being.

The above mentioned description however is irrelevant and unevocative . One must actually hear this band in order to realize that these stylistic approaches blend into something totally new that doesnt really has a name in the genres hall of fame.

The songs are elaborate and with lots of dynamics. The breakdowns and the build ups are just delicious. One thing that stands out for sure is the great tempo altering and the dynamic forging that the drums create. The drummer here is a fuckin’ winner. This dude can blast. However the compositions are also well planned to leave room for the drums to do their amazing job.

“Born To Be Chalklined” is the most interesting track here cause it spawns some black metal type chords that tailor really unique riffs. This is something that will remind of european black metal and especially the atmospheric delicate scandinavian wave. This similarity is for sure accidental and unintentional which makes for the beauty of this composition and gives the whole sound a weird, twisted and original feel when it is mixed with the background groove that aims to strike as deep and as low as Korn would.

Another special aspect of this EP regards the lyrics. They are straight forward and simple just as it should and yet we can find interesting takes on subjects like alcoholism and all it’s ultimate and fatal physical, emotional and spiritual effects. Human analysis in these lyrics seem to bring to the table that refinement that Schuldiner brought to some of his albums. This is always an amazing thing.

If you like metal get this. You might dig it. - CIRCIUMARU EMILIAN

Interview with Jay from No Class Assassins - Taylor Law

UNCLEBOBSTAPES.COM - Robert Zilli

Fans Select Winners
In The 11th Independent Music Awards Vox Pop Poll

Company Of Thieves, Spottiswoode & His Enemies, No Class Assassins, Blame Sally and The Mahones Among More Than 70 Artists Honored By Music Fans

August 13, 2012 • Music Resource Group (MRG) and The Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), today announced the results of The IMA Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined portion of the 11th annual program.

More than 60,000 music fans from around the world have voted online for their favorite self-released and independent label artists. For the 11th program, artists and bands represented the 340 nominees in more than 70 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories.

Included in the latest batch of IMA Vox Pop winners are the indie rock band Company Of Thieves, the eclectic rock group Spottiswoode & His Enemies, original Detroit metal band No Class Assassins, and the folk quartet Blame Sally, which received top honors in three categories. Blame Sally fans also rallied behind band member Monica Pasqual by awarding her a separate win for her solo, concept album This Cold Desire.

More than 80 percent of the "people's voice" selections differed from IMA winners named in May by the artist and industry judging panel that included Keith Richards, Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Ozzy Osbourne, Joshua Redman, Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), and Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center) among many other artists and music industry professionals.

The complete list of winners and their nominated work and bios are available at www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com

"The Independent Music Awards celebrate musicians who follow their own muse and empower music fans who support these extraordinary recording artists," said The IMA Executive Director Martin Folkman. "The Vox Pop award is one of the many ways The IMAs motivates fans to discover and support incredible, independent talent."

ARTISTRY HAS ITS AWARDS

Now in its 12th year, The Independent Music Awards is a prestigious international program that connects top ranked artists to new audiences and revenue opportunities. The IMAs yearlong promotions distribution and performance opportunities place winners and nominees in front of millions of Fans, Programmers, Talent Buyers, Film, TV & Gaming Music Supervisors, Media and other gatekeepers.

Submissions for the 12th edition of The Independent Music Awards are open at: www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com/submit - Independent Music Awards

Alternative Press Promo Ad - AP

The MB Agency promo ad - Revolver Magazine

No Class Assassins has captured the sound of the pioneers of the early death metal Bands from Florida in the mid 1980's, like Obituary and Death. In parts, “No Class” is true to the early death metal classic form. The tracks “Blacked out” & “Third times not a charm” are the finest songs on the EP, a well blend of traditional thrash, death metal, and a solid dose of heavy metal. Both are filled with good tempo changes, good guitar riffs, and the amazing voice tone that reminds me so much of the “Leprosy” days of Chuck Schuldiner. The other songs on the EP are" Born to be Chalklined", "John Doe" &“Stubborn play” a sluggish doom laden metal meets death metal pieces of more even tempo, but never quite as memorable as “Blacked out” & “Third times not a charm” . No Class Assassins lives and breathes solid old school heavy metal with their ventures into thrash, death and doom. Additionally they have some of their best work yet to come………. - Aj&dbs Webzine

Interview @ Aj&dbs Webzine - Aj&dbs Webzine

www.facebook.com/TheMBAgency.com - Jeff@TheMBAgency.com - 817-239-7407 - HM Magazine

Michigan metal band No Class Assassins new E.P., No Class shows a band raised on old school death metal and hardcore. While other bands either duplicate its influences or attempt to modernize the old school sound to mixed results, No Class Assassins does a good job of fusing the 90s Tampa Death Metal movement with metallic New York Hardcore.

The opening track, “Blacked Out,” is straight out of the Obituary playbook. The groove, molten guitars and concise drumming is here in its brutal glory. Vocalist Jay Shurkley finds his inner Chuck Schuldiner when screeching and the track sounds like it could fit on any 1991 death metal compilation. The stomping “Third Time is Not a Charm” opens with a rolling guitar riff and drum beat before halting in to several simple, but effective breakdowns. Bassist Chris Stotler stands out on this track with several bass solos that recall mid-90s Death.

The next track “John Doe” is continues the brutal onslaught with guitarist Dave Kelsey pulling out riffs from hell on this song. The song is a slow paced monster that trudges along with no signs of slowing down. No Class Assassins wears its influences and better yet knows how to play them.

While some metal fans prefer the modern death metal/hardcore sound, No Class Assassins shows why the old school is fundamental. The band does modify things with several breakdowns which will tide newer metal fans over. Still, the No Class E.P. is a tribute to the vintage underground. This record will make you blow the dust off of your Carcass and Death records, put on a Cannibal Corpse shirt and thrash out over the weekend.

Review by Jerel Johnson - Target Audience Magazine

The other day while browsing facebook, I discovered that a local band I follow called No Class Assassins hired Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Six Feet Under) to help them do an awesome cover of Eric Clapton’s classic “Cocaine.”

I was really pleased with what I heard. No Class has always put out some solid tunes with good production value behind the sounds. They are all around a really decent metal band.I believe No Class Assassins have been without a drummer for a few months, so hiring Talley was a really smart move. Their take on Cocaine was obviously a metal one.The song didn’t seem to stand out as much more than a metalized cover at first, but as the song continues (at around the 2:00 mark) it kicks into an ultra slow heavy section that kind of drags you along with it (in a good way). Overall the song is extra catchy and very cool. Kevin Talley’s studio work stands out as always. He is a very phenomenal metal drummer. - Justin Thomas Squires

11th Annual Metal/Hardcore Song Vox Pop Winner

August 13, 2012 – The Fans have spoken. Port Huron-based No Class Assassins, The hate-driven quartet from the Motor City are among the established and rising musicians named as winners in The 11th Independent Music Awards Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined portion of the influential international awards program for independent bands and fans.

More than 60,000 music fans from around the world have voted online for their favorite
self-released and independent label artists. This year’s Vox Pop talent winners represent more than 350 Nominees in more than 70 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories.

More than 80 percent of these “people’s voice” selections differed from those named in February by The 11th IMAs’ artist and industry judging panel that included Keith Richards, Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Ozzy Osbourne, Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Alan Light (Live From Artists Den), Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour) and Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center) among many other artists and music industry professionals.

Program details, entry forms and a complete list of Winners, Nominees and Judges are available at www.TheIndependentMusicAwards.com - Independent Music Awards

Hey Peeps!

Today, I am with No Class Assassins for another Q&A Session. They are a metal band from Port Huron, MI. They are an unsigned metal band and have one official release, an EP called No Class.

Now, without further ado…

Lady Obscure: Hey guys! Let’s start with your bio – who is involved in the band, and how did you guys meet up? You know, how the journey started, what the members were doing before…

No Class Assassins: No Class Assassins is comprised of Jay Crimson ~ vocals, Dave Kelsey ~ guitar, Chris Stotler ~ bass, Joe Cilluffo ~ drums. We are from Saint Clair County/Port Huron, Michigan. We all share a love for playing heavy music with groove. It all started with Dave and former drummer Aaron Schuman playing music together and writing material which would later be the start to No Class Assassins.

LO: What does metal mean to you? Basically, is metal what brought you guys together?

NCA: We decided to be a metal band due to the fact that we all enjoy heavy, aggressive music and wish to follow in the footsteps of our influences. Pantera, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual, Down, Misfits, Fear Factory, Acid Bath, Vision Of Disorder…etc. Our songs evolved into its own genre, cross between bluesy sludge and hard-core metal.

LO: Are you happy with where you are with your EP? I mean, what aspect of it do you think you guys nailed, and what parts do you think you could improve upon?

NCA: We understand that a band evolves and tries to come up with things that may be better or equal to past releases, so we are eager to one up ourselves as time goes on. We are overall happy with the direction we are going as a unit.

LO: How has the overall reception been?

NCA: The reception we have gotten online and at shows has been great. From the kids coming up to us and letting us know how much they enjoyed our set-to the “NO CLASS!” chants in between songs.

LO: So what’s next? Album? Touring? Any international tours?

NCA: We are going to be saddling up for some out-of-state shows this summer and we just want to deliver a sound that people can move to and relate to what the songs re about. We don’t bs. Our music is poetic but blunt as f*ck. -Everything we are doing now is a precursor to our first album…. which will blow people away. We plan on putting 110% into it and it will be something worth checking into.

LO: Could you tell us about the lyrics, themes and concepts on which you focus? How did the ideas come about, and how do they influence the writing process?

NCA: Our songs speak for themselves. From drug abuse to traumatizing relationships, it’s all there. Human emotion at its worst. Everyone needs an outlet for negative release. This is it for us. There are people out there who can connect with us. No Doubt.

LO: Which is more exciting? Being on the road or studio?

NCA: So far the studio work we have done is a blast. We work with BJ Perry from rock band ‘The Product’ and he does an excellent job at getting what we want down on record. We have been working together pretty much since the inception of the band and we are a good team.

LO: Who is composing the songs? Writing the lyrics?

NCA: No Class Assassins as a whole compose the songs and lyrics are agreed upon by each member but mostly written by Jay and Dave.

LO: When you’re writing, what’s more important to you? Catering to the audience or music for its own sake?

NCA: We play music to please ourselves. We don’t focus on what others would like. It doesn’t matter to us. If people like what we are doing, that is great. That’s where our fan-base comes from….angry people who want to make a difference for the better. People who want to stop being bothered and live their lives without bringing harm to others.

LO: When you look back your music career, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?NCA

NCA: One of our greatest accomplishments was winning the Battle of the Bands contest to perform at Vans’ Warped Tour in Detroit. We played on the Ernie Ball stage at Warped Tour 2010 at Comerica Park and the crowd loved us. We got rid of plenty of demos that day. It was a good feeling knowing that the suits had faith in us and actually listened to the votes we got from fans.. We also won an award for best Metal/Hardcore song in the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards. The song was “Third Time’s Not A Charm” and the people spoke. A lot of our fans voted, we were nominated and when it came time to start a second voting session, we kicked its ass. We are very grateful to have such awesome people supporting us. We have opened for Misfits, Eyehategod, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, Emmure, Crowbar, Prong, Gwar….etc.

LO: Thanks guys! So, have you got anything to add?

NCA: We are NOT going anywhere and we will NOT stop until we reach the top of the ladder.

So, here is their first music video for award winning track Third Time’s Not a Charm from their EP…
- See more at: http://www.ladyobscure.com/ladys-questions-and-answers/no-class-assassins/#sthash.Ib2USgT6.dpuf - Lady Obscure

With a biting hardcore punk attitude, No Class Assassins were greeted to an enthusiastic crowd. They jammed out some thumping mosh worthy grooves that had folks moving in no time. This band was a lot of fun to watch. They moved around on the stage and got the audience into the show. - National Rock Review

"no class assassins" brought me their second release "the no class e.p." which was mixed and mastered by mike hasty (Walls of Jericho). Hasty did a great job, altogether a very punchy and professional sound that actually has some uniqueness, the 4-headed band (currently 3-headed and searching for a new drummer) did a great job as well.
The drums mostly change between double bass trampling and fast blast beats, very nice sounding, skilled drumming but unfortunately it gets a bit boring while listening to it several times. Also the massive guitars create a forceful groove that is really enjoyable but definitely lacking in variety when it comes to the whole record. the vocal section is split into two, axe man Dave Kelsey and vocalist Jay Crimson got some mean throat-twisting gutturals going on, also the clean ones are interpreted well.
"Stubborn Play" represents an exception: a somber sounding intro, calm clean vocals and subdued bass lines that burst out into an angry screaming hurricane, highlighted with a dragging and moaning guitar solo. By contrast, "Blacked Out" exposed itself as straight "(head)bang-along" that must be a great live experience. In sum I heard powerful hardcore- and death-influenced metal that could use a bit more variety but "No Class Assassins" distinguish themselves with professionalism and grooving song structures that can surely beat the crap out of your ass. - Pulverturm Productions

Detroit Live Magazine, Dec 2012, page 19 Band interview by: Cheri Clair - Detroit Live Magazine

"No Class Assassins have a unique brand of angry that sticks with you long after the last note is played. Evil and catchy." - Allen "Slayer" Beck/101.1 FM WRIF - Allen Beck - 101.1 FM WRIF