NR: No Recess arose from the ashes of the popular Tampa Bay band “Bad Cat” (Marcel, Tommy, & Paul). On the night of the last Bad Cat show, Matt came out to support the band and found out about its untimely demise. It was the opportunity they all were destined to fulfill. After a week of practicing an entirely new set, No Recess put on a killer show. From that point on they knew they had something unique and have not stopped rocking. The name No Recess was chosen when Tommy and Marcel were contemplating whether or not to keep the Bad Cat name. With so much going on, they felt that they had no recess. Which seemed to fit perfectly.

Q: Recently No Recess added a new member to the band. How has that worked out so far?

NR: Beyond our expectations. It has made a completely new dynamic to the music Marcel and Tommy had been performing.

Q: What is the overall goal of No Recess?

NR: To rock the world, of course. First and foremost we'd like to make the Tampa Bay area more of a music scene. You always hear about NY, LA and Seattle. But now you're starting to hear about places like Austin, TX, why not get Tampa's name out there. No Recess wants to make a mark in Rock history.

Q: Are you pleased with the progress the band has made up to this point?

NR: Words cannot describe how we feel. So we try to express it through our music. It’s been a creative explosion that we didn't expect.

Q: How would you describe No Recess to a stranger unfamiliar with the band?

NR: With the combining of their different influences and high energy stage presence, No Recess is the new face of Indie grunge rock. It was difficult to pin point exactly what No Recess sounds like, however Indie grunge rock seems to fit. We do not want to be labeled, but we'd rather label ourselves before someone else does. Especially something with the fuckin’ word “pop.”

Q: Where does No Recess draw inspiration for their music?

NR: We draw our inspiration that everything that life brings. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We like to express our love and angst within our songs.

Q: When will the band release their next CD?

NR: We will be releasing our {self titled} CD in the beginning of November. There will be some advanced copies our in the end of October.

Q: Does the band prefer to be signed by a major label or would you prefer an Independent label sign No Recess?

NR: Were focused on working with Indie labels such as Epitaph and Sub Pop. We are very self sufficient. With our own recording and photography studio, we are looking for a distribution deal.

Q: Where can readers go to sample music by No Recess?

NR: Log onto: NoRecessmusic.com.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Tampa Bay Music Scene?

NR: It would be great if all the bands and the booking agents would focus on making Tampa Bay, the scene instead of all the alliances that are overpopulating and controlling the area.

Q: Why do you think Tampa radio stations don't play more music by local artists?

NR: Because payola and sponsors run the airwaves.

Q: Most bands have embraced the Internet as a way to promote their music to the masses. For some reason some venues and clubs down here in Florida have not done this. Why do you think bands are so pro-Internet while so many venues and clubs in Florida are not?

NR: It’s a great way for bands to communicate with their fans. It’s cheap, fast, easy, and extremely available for the public. We've seen that clubs and venues are starting to catch on, but are not as personable as bands are with their audience.

Q: So far most of No Recess' shows have been in the Tampa Bay area when does the band plan to invade the rest of Florida and does the band plan to perform outside of Florida?

NR: Were performing in NYC next week at the MEANY Fest. We've already played Sarasota, Gainesville, and Lakeland. Which are all outside of Tampa. Our current game plan is to perform all over Florida and beyond. The wheels are in motion.

Q: What are you thoughts on posers?

NR: The following will explain our thoughts in detail. Music evolves. There comes a time where music takes a shift and divides. It's not necessarily new, but the evolution of the new pure breeds are here. In the 80's, it was hair bands vs. new wave. In the 90's, East Coast vs. West Coast Rap. In the new millennium of today, the war is PUNKS vs. POSERS! Punk has always had some hard-core values that stand out as rebels. Rebels Unite. Posers on the other hand are weak, selfish, and don't care about the scene, just their own bands. Bands promote the night as a general event of great music, and that's when a SCENE is created and great! Real rock shows! It's the "Tampa Bay Scene" we need to promote and embrace, not these false securities and bullshit alliances. We don't need to name names cuz you know who they are. And I would like to clear up not ALL alliances are the same. While No Recess Does NOT support alliance, Randy from Crux Trigger has been working on putting shows together though his organizations. You've put some hard work into it. However, it has to be by promoting the "Tampa Bay Music Scene" as a whole, not just an alliance for this scene to excel. Much love to Randy for his efforts. Seattle didn't have a fuckin' Northern Music Alliance. It was called SEATTLE. Wouldn't it be great to hear one day... "If you wanna make it, go to Tampa Bay." If your the type that promotes for only your band, show up 15 minutes before your set and leave right after it... We're talking to you... And your going down fuckers. If your in a certain alliance (you know who you are) that you only show up when your other "alliance friends" show, and leave after that, your captain poser of the douchebag brigade. If your a band, set up a show, and then cancel it without telling all the bands and people show up, your a mother fuckin' poser. You know who you are. You wasted everyone's time. You poser. If you are supposed to be performing a show and just don't show up. You're a piece of shit loser. If you have a problem, excuse, or emergency, you can let the venue, booking agent, or any of the bands know. That's fine! If your scheduled to show up and you just don't feel like playing... FUCK OFF And give up music. Make Tampa the Next SEATTLE... Punks vs. Posers. Which one are you?

Q: What was the first concert you ever saw?

Marcel: Everclear at the 9:30 club in Washington, DC when I was 16.

Tommy: Weird Al Yankovic and the Monkees when he was 10, at Jones Beach Amphitheater in NY.

Matt: Michael W. Smith in ‘97.

Q: If you could pick any three (3) bands to perform in concert with No Recess who would you pick and where would you dream concert be?

Marcel: The White Stripes. At the 9:30 club in Washington, DC.

Tommy: Queens of the Stone Age. At Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Matt: underOATH. At Masquerades in Tampa, FL.

Q: How Important do you think online publications such as Florida Entertainment Scene are in letting the masses know about bands such as No Recess?

NR: It’s essential to help make Tampa Bay the next SEATTLE.

Q: Do you have anything you'd like to say to people who read this Interview?

Marcel: NO RECESS loves you! And your moms … Come check out a killer live show.

Tommy: If It’s too loud, you're too old

Matt: Light a blunt for me.

No Recess is:
Marcel Tirado - Guitar/Vocals
Tommy Cornillow -Drums
Matt McNeel - Keyboards

No Recess is from Tampa, FL and play shows on a regular basis. To sample music by No Recess visit their website at NoRecessMusic.com.

Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2005 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.