NO USE FOR A NAME are one of independent music’s most dominant and everlasting forces; and nothing could solidify their firm grip on the underground more than their newest “Best of” collection, All the Best Songs. The release documents the band’s sincere dedication to quality songwriting and energetic punk rock. For two decades NUFAN has been a mainstay of the genre with over 1 million records sold worldwide. This essential “mix tape” of their best songs is a reminder of their timeless relevance.

NO USE FOR A NAME are a four-piece punk rock band from San Jose, CA, and have been the torchbearers of the skate-punk scene since Tony Sly and Rory Koff started the band in 1987. They had completed two full lengths, IncognitoDon’t Miss the Train by the time we got wise to their brilliance and snatched them up in 1993. Their first Fat release, The Daily Grind, was so well received that they got right back in the studio to record their Leche Con CarneLeche Con Carne was hugely successful and the video for “Soulmate” was added to heavy rotation on MTV, which was a first for us at Fat. And a last too, ha! and full length. It’s a good thing they did because

After the release of Leche Con Carne, Chris Shiflett joined the band, and in addition, Matt Riddle, formerly of Face to Face, took over the bass playing duties and broadened the band’s sound even more. The talents of the new, powerful line-up shone on their third FAT release, Making Friends. This release highlighted the ability of the four members to work together to produce catchy, clever punk rock tunes, with introspective lyrics that make even the dumbest punk rocker sit back and think.

The success of Leche Con Carne and Making Friends and the band’s reputation for energetic live shows resulted in numerous tours across the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan with bands like The Offspring and NOFX, as well as several stints on the Warped Tour in the U.S. and Europe. NO USE FOR A NAME then went back into the studio in July of ‘99 to record their next record, More Betterness. Less than 2 weeks before touring for More Betterness began, Chris Shifflet left to join the Foo Fighters, and was immediately replaced by Dave Nassie, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves. NO USE FOR A NAME went on to enjoy profound touring success as they toured Australia and headlined the Fat Wreck Chords Tour throughout Europe and the U.S.

With this big ol’ wave of momentum, the band was then asked to be the first to record a Live In A Dive album for Fat. After eagerly launching that series, they released one of their most successful full lengths to date, Hard Rock Bottom. It was all academic from there, as NO USE spent 2002 on the Warped Tour’s mainstage, and later joined Sum 41 on a big tour, which was a hoot by all accounts.

NO USE’s most recent accomplishment came in the form of 2005’s full length, Keep Them Confused. They spent months practicing, demo-ing, writing, re-writing, and ultimately perfecting 13 brand new hits that made up this phenomenal full length. NUFAN did it all on this album: fast catchy punk songs, mid-tempo rockers, and a couple slow-paced tear-jerking hits. All this only further strengthened their touring dominance as mainstage headliners of the 2005 Warped Tour. They followed that up with their own headlining tour of the States, Europe, and Japan.

NUFAN are about to embark on an intimate small club, mini-tour in support of All the Best Songs before heading off to South America for a string of dates. The band is currently in the process of writing for their next proper full length which is expected in 2008.

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