'Not Again': A Pop-Punk Duo with a Timeless Sound
As someone who has always felt a deep connection to pop-punk, I’m always on the lookout for a band that truly understands the genre. So when I heard 'not again' for the first time, their sound instantly grabbed me. It was raw, authentic, and exactly the kind of energy I was looking for. We knew we had to reach out and sit down with the lads to talk about it all.
From the heart of Leicester, UK, the pop-punk duo 'Not Again' is channeling the raw, infectious energy of the late '90s and early '00s. The two-piece, made up of Mat and Joe, is a project built on shared musical roots and a friendship that has spanned continents. With a sound that is both a tribute to their heroes and a fresh take on the genre, 'not again' is carving out a space for themselves one catchy riff at a time.
A Pop-Punk Origin and a Shared History
For Mat, the spark was ignited by a single moment at a party in 1997. He remembers hearing Green Day's "Welcome to Paradise," and that was it for him. He fell in love with the band and describes Billie Joe as his "god." Both Mat and Joe were heavily influenced by the golden era of pop-punk, listing Green Day, Blink-182, Sum 41, and Metallica as their biggest inspirations. They were also into the "new metal" bands of the 2000s, an era they feel was packed with great music.
The band's formation was as organic as their shared love for music. Mat, who is originally from Croatia, and Joe were both in a previous band, "Side Project." They joined as the last two members and quickly clicked. Their shared musical interests led them to form a new project, 'not again,' to pursue a different creative direction. Now, they live just five minutes away from each other in Leicester, making their collaboration feel natural from the start.
The Two-Piece Dynamic: In the Studio and On Stage
'not again' is a two-piece, and they are still figuring out how everything fits. They've just finished their second song and plan to release it soon. Joe says the colder weather means it’s "locking away season" for them, a time to focus on new music. Their creative process usually starts with Mat, who has a collection of songs on his laptop. They begin with guitar riffs or bass parts, and then they add drums, refine the sound, and polish each section in the practice room.
When it comes to performing, they love every minute of it, from the "load in and just hanging around the club" to seeing the crowd sing their songs back to them. Mat says the only thing that's not fun are technical difficulties. As for performing live, they still have some planning to do. As a two-piece, they are figuring out whether to perform with backing tracks or to recruit additional members. Joe says he wants to focus on guitar on stage and get back into drumming.
A Dream Pick and a Creative Hat
When asked about a dream collaboration, Mat has a practical answer: he'd pick Mark Hoppus. He thinks Mark would fit in perfectly since they currently don't have a bassist, and Mat points out, "he has a driving licence," which is a plus since neither he nor Joe drives. Their dream scenario would be to open for their heroes Sum 41 (Joe even has a "41" tattoo), or for Mat's pick, Green Day, or Joe's pick, Blink-182.
When it comes to their live energy, Joe channels different artists depending on the song. On drums, he channels Steve-O 32 or Travis Barker (admitting he has "about 10% of their skill"). For heavier guitar parts, he channels Enter Shikari or Bring Me the Horizon, and for skate punk, he thinks of Tom DeLonge.
Insights on the Industry and the Road Ahead
Joe shares some of the best advice he's ever been given, from a friend, Alex Miller of The Grand Old Echo. He told Joe to "just write and get songs out there." This simple advice helped him "come out of his shell" and get active in the scene. They both feel that the music industry is a tricky place, and Mat jokes that he would change it by having them signed for a million pounds so they could just focus on releasing music. He also says he would start a mini-label to support "all of the up and coming bands I think are cool."
They have a balanced view on the internet and social media. Joe says it’s both positive and negative, making it easier to discover music from different places but also affecting how much artists make from streaming. He misses the physical experience of buying CDs. As for what's next, they plan to keep writing and organically building the band. Joe says their second song is coming out "very soon," and they can't wait to share it.
Their final message to their fans is simple, direct, and speaks volumes about their authenticity: "Thanks for choosing us, you made the right choice."