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NO CHOICE "Dry River Fishing" CD The esteemed editor of this mag gave me this CD, with a note saying 'this is amazing. Like a political PEGBOY'. And not for the first time, he was actually right! They are awesome. They mix driving punk a la PEGBOY, NAKED RAYGUN, and DILLINGER 4, with some of the melody, and political sensibilities of old Brit anarcho bands like the MOB and SUBHUMANS. Which isn't all that surprising, as they were Wales' premier anarcho-punk band back in the early 80s. Its great to have them back! Fucking amazing!
(RK) (Newest Industry / www.thenewestindustry.com)


Kerrang Magazine - UK
KKKK
DESPITE THE fact that Cardiff punks No Choice have been booting around the punk since the early eighties, ‘Dry River Fishing’ is most certainly not the work of some tired and jaded ex-punks desperately trying to rekindle their lost youths. Thankfully, No Choice have successfully shifted with the times and still sound contemporary, vital and extremely hacked off with the world. And throughout the album’s twelve vigorous tracks, No Choice never forget that a punk band is supposed to have something to say. While musically, they fuse the politically charged brit-punk sound of The Ruts and the Newtown Neurotics with the melodic suss of US acts Naked Raygun and Bad Religion, every song questions authority, has a message, or tells a story. ‘Don’t be afraid of politics, we have no choice but to question,’ state the band. Wise words, indeed.
James Sherry


Terrorizer Magazine - UK
Most of our readers will be too young to remember No Choice’s last real recorded output - the ‘Sadist’s Dream’ 7" on Riot City released almost twenty years ago - but even back then they were peddling intelligent political punk rock that was ahead of its time. They did a stint as S.A.N.D. for several years, and vanished off the scene altogether for a while as well, but on the strength of this, it’s great to have them back. Believe me, this is no for-the-sake-of-it reformation; this is as vital as any punk record I’ve heard in many years. From the soaring bass-line of the uplifting opener, to the melancholic vocal harmonies and insistent bouncy riff of closer ‘Wonderland’, this disc snares you with its passion and sincerity. Can you imagine a cross between UK anarcho punkers The Mob and classic-era Dag Nasty? Well, just pick this up and save your imagination for something more pressing. And it looks as good as it sounds, beautifully presented in a thick provocative booklet that backs up the band’s stimulating words with striking images. A terrific first release for Newest Industry.
[8/10] Ian Glasper


Metal Hammer Magazine - UK
Having originally formed in '81, Cardiff's No Choice are positively steeped in refreshingly potent, old school punk rock values. And consequently, the creation of vacuous, flavour-of-the-month, cartoon popcore is simply not an option for a quartet that initially earned their sedatious spurs playing miners' strike benefit shows under the grinding heel of Thatcher's jackboot. The admirable No Choice political conscience may hark back to an earlier, less innocent era for punk, but musically speaking they're no quaint period piece. They've contemporized the Babylon Burning Ruts blueprint for today's mosh constituency whilst retaining a raw, feral and righteous rage that's both tangible and infectious. Moreover, "Dry River Fishing" is no mere one-dimensional, high-octane dirge, No Choice have thankfully recognised that you don't have to be perpetually unintelligible to prove your authenticity. 6/10


Maximum Rock'n'Roll Fanzine - USA
Okay, somehow I never heard of this band until I got this CD. I went to their website and found out that NO CHOICE had released a couple of 7"s back in '82 and such on Riot City Records, but had not released anything else outside of one of those GTA re-issue packages that are so cool. Well let me tell you, if their old stuff is anywhere as good as this is, then I am going be spending a few more dollars this week. Melodic, political and just played with passion. This is like a cross between ZOUNDS and SNUFF, two bands that I truly love and admire. It is finding things like this that give me faith in the so called "scene". Fucking brilliant I say, fucking brilliant.


Deep Fry Bonanza Webzine - USA (www.dfbpunk.com)
Though political hardcore may have died with Reagan’s administration, politics and punk rock remain united. Thankfully, though, while in the early 80s tirades against the US government were almost always accompanied by hyper-fast beats and incomprehensible vocals, today the music of social resistance comes in all forms, from the crusty hardcore of AUS ROTTEN to the slick pop-punk of ANTI-FLAG and PROPAGANDHI. NO CHOICE are something different, though; their politics are as sophisticated as their music, which is an incredible combination of FACE TO FACE, LEATHERFACE and BAD RELIGION. If you pick up Dry River Fishing, though, it’ll be for the music, so I’ll talk about that first. Like a lot of English bands, NO CHOICE play pop-punk with teeth. The songs are as meticulously arranged, performed and produced as anything you’ll find on Fat Wreck Chords or Epitaph, but there’s some quality that keeps NO CHOICE from sounding lifeless. NO CHOICE don’t resort to the typical HOT WATER MUSIC-isms that most bands use to sound sincere, but their passion still manages to come through the slick backing vocals and clean guitar sound. Fans of LEATHERFACE and FACE TO FACE will love the giant choruses that are sprinkled throughout Dry River Fishing, but like those bands nothing ever feels cheesy or unsophisticated. Each song gets a full page in the lyric booklet, and each track deserves it. For instance, "Scale Climbers Revenge" bemoans the same corporate herd mentality as many punk bands but it does it more eloquently; check out these lyrics: "And labour saving days that saved Labour’s day now seem so far away, you championed the masses yet compassionate fatigue can find its way. It doesn’t take a genius to take the feet from under a blind man. Don’t look to the saints you’ve never seen, just find the man you’ve never been." I can just imagine reading those lines from the bank building I used to work in; however, even now they hit very close to home. To put it simply, NO CHOICE are the total package, a BAD RELIGION for those of us who have outgrown that band’s tendency to write the same song over and over and point their thesaurus toward what they believe to be the ignorance and stupidity of everyone who isn’t them. Those of you who believe that melodic punk rock still has vitality, you’re blowing it if you don’t pick this one up.


Artcore Fanzine - Wales, UK
...To the present day, and a brand new album. Keeping up with what¹s been happening over the years between their various reformations, NO CHOICE successfully straddle the chasm between new and old, and adeptly capture both the power and feel of yesteryear with the dynamics and spark of the contemporary. As I have name-dropped previously; you can hear the anthemics of NAKED RAYGUN and PEGBOY, a hefty slice of LEATHERFACE in the guitar and an overall feel of a more power-packed MILLOY. This album also has tinges of STIFF LITTLE FINGERS mixed with HUSKER DU in there too, and 'Prey' harkens back to those days of ZOUNDS and MOB with a CROW PEOPLE / HAWKWIND guitar, while the epic 'Wonderland' doffs its cap to RUTS / CULTURE SHOCK with its White-Reggae Ska. Top this off with those clever and cryptic socio-political lyrics, pertinent samples running behind the music in a familiar way, and wrap it all up in some of Monk's sharp 'No Idea' house style graphics (N.I. - No Idea; Newest Industry? Ha ha) and you¹ve got one hell of an album to get yer teeth into.

Collective Webzine - England, UK (www.collective-zine.co.uk)
This is pretty good melodic punk rock. I do not claim to be a world leading authoritah on such a genre, but I know what I like and I like this CD far more than I dislike it. Opening track "If Logic's First (We're Coming Second") is definitely the standout and gets the record off on the right foot. It's driving, the guitars are forceful and energetic, and vocals are cranked out with a lot of spirit. When it comes to punk rock records I always put commitment and passion first, and everything else second. For the most part, NO CHOICE sound like ANNALISE, with similar vocals and aggressive yet melodic tunes, played tightly with a fair bit of gusto. There are also traces of bands such as LEATHERFACE in here, which is a fine thing in my book. Mixing up catchy hooks with crunch in equal measures. So there you have it, a good ole honest melodic punk rock record, very British and very straight forward. No bullshit, no pretense. You know what you're getting and if you buy this and hate it, it's your own fault because it should be very easy to figure out if it's your kind of thing or not before you hear it.


Link2Wales Webzine - Wales, UK (www.link2wales.co.uk)
They say we mellow with age, they say that once you’ve got over your teen angst ridden years and screamed about it into your early twenties, it’s then off your chest and you can settle down to your 9 to 5 and come home to your wife and beautiful children. Fortunately, NO CHOICE were absent from school when they were dishing out the lessons on ‘Life & how to live it,’ for 20 years on they’re probably angrier than before (they’ve had a long time to be wound up). There is no compromise on this superbly packaged CD, no room for prisoners and no room for sentiments - "In the name of God & land of free? Fuck your propaganda." (Book Cooking). This is pure punk rock and it’s heading straight down your throat to churn your stomach into sitting up and taking notice. It’s not until track 9 on the excellent Prey that NO CHOICE allow you to come up for air, and even then it’s just for a sharp intake of breath before they head on again like a raging bull. And wait ‘til you hear Wonderland. Newest Industry Records have to be applauded for an excellent release with an excellent CD sleeve and booklet. Buy now, pray later.


Decavity Webzine - England, UK (decavityfanzine.moonfruit.com)
This album reminds me so much of the new HOT WATER MUSIC one, not just because it mixes melodic vocals with a little bit of gravel, but it has a certain phenomenon that goes like this - You press play, the first track kicks ass, then the second one does, and so on. At a certain point you're waiting for a shit song, as every album usual has one, but like the HOT WATER MUSIC album it just doesn't appear. Monk Dave obviously knows his bands, I hear he's putting out something by ANNALISE in future, also the artwork is pretty cool, with a large socio-political bent and websites for the same. I'd urge anyone who's into punk to pick this up, especially if you like HOT WATER MUSIC, LEATHERFACE, etc.


Zonked Fanzine - England, UK
Wow, how great is this?? Answer - VERY GREAT!! Indeed, it’s the same early Eighties Cardiff Punks, of some Riot City Records output, returned, and maybe I shouldn’t be THAT amazed about the quality of these songs… but I was still bowled over at their tenacity and fresh sounding-ness. A mighty healthy fusion of home grown agit-Punk, ala SUBHUMANS, ZOUNDS, INSTIGATORS, a shot of melancholy LEATHERFACE grit, and fluid U.S. rocky poppy push akin to BAD RELIGION and NAKED RAYGUN offerings, of much repute. Forceful Melodies. The finely packaged cover / sleeve booklet, with it’s vivid photographic images of a world gone mad, and strong lyrics - no throwaway crap here - show a deep sense of frustration and concern / confusion at the state of Planet Earth, in the early months of the 21st Century. This band isn’t about chasing a fast buck, catching a ride on the latest trend, trying to land THAT sponsorship deal, get their picture in THAT glossy high street magazine, that has fuck all to do with Punk Rock. No, THIS IS PUNK ROCK as I recall it. As I continue to be inspired by, although that is a rare commodity in itself these days. Hence, this is something of a unique release. A band from back-then who sound like they’re still chomping on the bit, and not just chewing on the cud - next stop the glue factory. NO CHOICE make most of those revived H.I.T.S has-beens sound like the sad-burnt-out, no spirit shit they are. Top marks to Dave @ Newest Industry for putting his money where his mouth is on this release. I look forward greatly to catching NO CHOICE live in 2003. EXCELLENT RELEASE. You’d be a poseur not to get ignited.


Fracture Fanzine - Wales / England, UK
There are a lot of surprises to be found within this release. One: This is an old UK '82 band that has slogged away for years and this new album is by far, the best thing they have ever done... that's not the norm. Two: The music carries a message, this is political, socio-political, questioning and thought provoking.... that's not the norm? Surely old bands just play really lame 82 style punk, haven't progressed musically and just want to put huge poster collages in their CD booklet where they are surrounded by old punks, skinheads outside bars, a few ropey old barmaids and Charlie Harper! This Cardiff band have managed to go against all the odds and produce a new album full of invigorating punk rock, the lyrics are superb and almost poetic at times, the singing is really strong and the music is a mix of FOUR LETTER WORD / JOE NINETY style hardcore punk, MILLOY meets LEATHERFACE compositional perfection and some other twists that make for a thoroughly enjoyable album. I am reminded of some great Chicago acts in this bands sound, PEGBOY is an obvious one, but on the final track "Wonderland" I am recalling "Security" by The EFFIGIES. Hey, this is a punk rock/hardcore album in the true sense, it has power in it's sound and message, and in a current climate of bands singing about absolute gibberish and the whole swing towards bland conservatism, it's good to hear some punk rock, old school / new school. The haunting "Prey" isn't an easy listening song, challenging the listener is an almost lost art form... music can't change a thing unless it educates, inspires and ask questions of the listener. These days we are so safe in our shrink-wrapped, safe & sealed bubblepack punk rock world, we traded in all the inspiration, creativity and individuality for hook-laden 2 minute songs about girls that in turn morphed into 5 minute minor chord math rock workouts about getting older and questioning the bleeding obvious. Oh, I'm fucking rambling here, it's just a sad state when one CD can have more political analysing and questioning contained within, than most contemporary labels entire roster. This is a good album, enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Nice packaging too, a bit of thought, care and effort has gone into this project on every level. Now I thought that was the true DIY punk rock way, do it yourself because no one can do it better.


Buzz Magazine - Wales, UK
While this is Cardiff natives NO CHOICE's first ever studio LP, Dry River Fishing retains the untethered anger of their early 80's anarcho punk firebreathing era while embracing broader influences. 'The Prize' is BAD RELIGION with an unmissable Brit coating; 'Bitter Vicar' a match for prime LEATHERFACE, while the pervading influence of earlyish HUSKER DU can be heard throughout. It would be cosy to tell you that with this album, NO CHOICE are showing all the young punk whippersnappers how it should be done. More truthfully, they're bullishly ploughing their own furrow - and amalgamating 20 years of punk education into 37 minutes of breakneck finery.


Direct Hit Fanzine - Northern Ireland, UK
All I can say is this is amazing, I was totally won over from their first song, right through to it’s finish. I just cannot believe that this is so good. Fantastic song writing, heart soaring tunes that lift you and make you wanna dance, feel good and sing your little head off. Real punk songs, from a real punk band that have been around for over 20 years - it does show. Such high calibre, and this is the last thing that I’ve reviewed for this issue, what a way to go out. Socially aware political lyrics, that don’t come across as mere slogans - no these words feel as if they come straight from the heart. There’s even some web page addresses at the end so you can follow things up, if inclined to do so. Perfect and totally amazing. A very fine CD. I can see why it’s the first release on this label.

Rock Sound Magazine - England, UK
Having released little in their 20 year existence, NO CHOICE have now rectified that. With influences from both ends of their lifespan, there's times this is reminiscent of the punk reggae of CITIZEN FISH, such as the excellent rambling basslines and scratchy guitars of 'Wonderland', and others, when it rocks out with a passion and power that sucks you in and drags you along willingly. These guys have plenty to say about life, and they say it with a spirit and intelligence that has the means to turn a good song into a great song. Check out 'Scale Climbers Revenge' for example and you'll see what I mean. "Punk's not dead" is maybe a term as redundant now as the hippie mantra "Turn on, tune in, drop out", but albums like this help to keep the coffin nails at bay. 9/10


Honk Magazine - Wales, UK
South Wales band, South Wales label, international scope. Yes kids, this is a political album - one bourne out of these Cardiff old-schoolers' disgust at what is being done in all our names by the Bush - Blair partnership, and the general malaise of modern western society and its unthinking apathy. As such, it's an old-fashioned thing, but they address issues intelligently and appear to benefit from their age to bring a deeper insight to these issues than bands half their age, without comprimising the music. The music is melodic hardcore, bone-crunching riffs, powerful drumming and sinewy guitars - think the sound of early ninties Epitaph Records with melodic sensibility coupled to muscularity. There's a great epic quality to a lot of these songs, especially "Scale Climbers Revenge" - their musical expansiveness echoing theitr lyrical one. It's a welcome album, one that showcases an area of the punk scene given little heed. More please.


Inside Knowledge Fanzine - The Netherlands
"Punk" as a form of music has transformed itself into God knows how many different varieties. The roots (which lay in England as far as I know) are hardly visible anymore. NO CHOICE has that old touch, which I almost called retro; as if they were a bunch of hippies... not. NO CHOICE has that real punk rock feel, including the political side that sometimes is deadly missed in nowadays' scene. NO CHOICE can play fast, aggressive, but also with emotion and sound totally fresh, always from the streets and never preaching. They reminded me a bit of the "Against the Grain" period of BAD RELIGION with a more typical UK punk touch of the 70’s (CRASS, THE RUTS, you know the deal right). Sing along and learn!


Bald Cactus Fanzine - England, UK
Now this was a pleasant surprise. This band did a single on Riot City back in '83 and that's all I've heard from them, until this. With all this HITS reform bollocks you'd think this would be awful and they'd rely on the past to sell this (like doing a remake of live version of "Cream of The Crop") but this just looks and feels totally fresh. You wouldn't even think it was the same band, with the bright, colour cover and arty lyric booklet. Musically, this has been compared to loads of famous tuneful bands, but one they missed out was MAD PARADE. Good, tuneful punk with decent lyrics about the current US mission to control the world, religion, etc. Stand out tracks "If Logic's First (We're Coming Second)" and the title track especially, make this CD worth getting hold of.


Gair Rhydd Student Newspaper - Wales, UK
NO CHOICE are the great white hope of burgeoning local label Newest Industry, and their statement of intent is clearly laid out in Dry River Fishing's opening quote - "We are a peaceful nation / Nobody wants there to be war"... The album comes together on repeat listenings, boasting a raw energy reminiscent of early LEATHERFACE. Stand out tracks such as "Scale Climbers Revenge" and "Prey" are excellent songs on musical merit alone, but add in the inspired lyrics and they really shine. Emotive, intelligent and perfectly focussed, this is model socio-political song writing. Where such themes are usually a cringe-fest, here the lyrics enhance the experience as a whole. Good stuff. Unfortunately this isn't an album for everyone - it's a bit too raw for some tastes, presumedly. But an accomplished and worthwhile addition to any collection all the same.


www.rebelnoise.com
4 out of 5 stars
From the get-go, all I could think of was Face to Face (well, with the exclusion of the brief George W. Bush soundbite that kicks off the record…) - what with the infectious pop-punk and vocals that sound eerily like those of F2F's Trevor Keith's, especially on the opener "If Logic's First (We're Coming Second)" and later, the penultimate track, "Grip". But no, this isn't a sub-par imitation of that great band, but rather a fine Welsh four-piece who first got together way back in '81 and play punk rock that, yes, bears some similarities to F2F...but not always (we'll get to that later...). Oh yeah, and No Choice are DECIDELY more political than F2F, as they include snippets of Bush and Tony Blair on a couple of tracks and some extremely astute socio-political commentary throughout. The paramount tracks have to be the Bad Religion-esque, speedy and dark "Book Cooking"; the following song "Dry River Fishing", which also is rather dark and full of an innate urgency; the contrasting "Prey", which is melancholic and moving, featuring echo-y guitars and light percussion adding to its ghostly feel (perfect tones for the subject matter with which it deals: the scandalous and horrible, all-too-prevalent sins of the clergy; "Come My Hour", another melancholy tune that also deals with problems of humanity - this time the feelings an abused child experiences and then moving on; and the finale, the surprising "Wonderland" that, despite its ska-tinged guitars and overall dance-ability, an aspect that could prove detrimental, as normally ska equates happiness and light-hearted fare and thus could detract from the serious message of the lyrics, this is not the case. Rather, because No Choice manage to instill some darkness and complexity into the composition, the subject matter is not undermined. The song ends on a memorable note with some cool, mellow reggae bass and echo-ed vocals reminiscent of The Clash. On the whole, 'Dry River Fishing' is an album worthy of praise, as No Choice meld intelligent lyrics with songs of many tones and styles, while never straying far from their punk roots. - Janelle


www.transformonline.com
By Abel Folgar
The incredible chronicle of a band that, simply put, believes in the power of their music... I have a certain aesthetic quality that I look for in my punk rock. Even with the pretentious-record-collector pendulum hanging over my neck, I try (and try pretty hard) not to pass judgment on our youngsters and their generation’s musical output. Things that keep me grounded: 1) I am not old enough to claim a lot of things and 2) punk rock has always led me on a journey of discovery through the many avenues it involves and I just have to assume that anybody who gets into the scene will eventually discover that “magic.” But the older I get, the more I find myself going back to those older bands and hunting down their records. Believe me, there is no feeling of nostalgia here, it’s just for the sheer rock. [Future reference note: only the almighty-fucking Ramones stir any feeling in me; and it’s usually related to hearing them on the radio in Venezuela when I was a pup. Yes, the Ramones enjoyed plenty of airplay and taught many a Hispanic their first English phrases.] Getting review gigs are cool because I can keep some kind of connection with what’s new and upcoming and moreover not become some closeted basket case who refuses to believe fresh punk rock exists outside of his crates. No Choice is not a new band. They are not some kids who just heard Penis Envy or Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables; No Choice is a great British band that has quietly existed under the American radar for the last two decades. Some people applaud No Idea for Less Than Jake, I applaud them for finally giving this band the formal album they’ve deserved all along and a proper introduction Stateside. In the fine tradition of Zounds, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans (UK), and Bad Religion, No Choice have never sacrificed their personal ethics in the name of the mighty dollar. This album, Dry River Fishing, is the incredible chronicle of a band that, simply put, believes in the power of their music. Theirs is an open forum for political ideology (without pushiness), education, and narrative. They do not compromise the listener’s intelligence, but provide rocking music for the thought-provoking messages of the lyrics. The title track, the five-minute “Wonderland,” and the opener, “If Logic’s First (We’re Coming Second)” are challenges to the modern plagues they’ve singled out. The environment, irresponsible government, and apathy-at-large feel the lash of their forked tongue. The remaining nine cuts are just as good: this album is devoid of filler: you don’t rock for 20 years and cop out when it matters. That is a lesson for the kids and a reminder to everyone else. You homework types might want to scour eBay and the net for the early 7”s and the ’84 demo, or even try to locate the few ‘90s releases under the Sand moniker. Better yet, get the line on www.grandtheftaudiorecords.com and get the Try and You Might... disc with 26 tracks of early stuff. Vinyl geeks (note to self) might want to check the website out for the Dry River Fishing pre-order. It will be the vinyl version of the UK release (Newest Indüstry). Prep for fisticuffs, it’ll be limited to 200 copies. Instead of being a knucklehead to the youngsters, share this disc with them. Let them know you can be punk rock and age gracefully without ever losing the edge or balls of your ideals.
www.nochoice.org / www.noidearecords.com