Representative Albums: "Diagram for Healing," "And the Sadness Prevails," "Daylight Breaking"
Biography
A punk-pop quartet from Oxnard, CA, No Motiv specialize in the sort of personal introspection and emotional catharsis that defines the subgenre known as emocore. They released two albums on Edge Records, Cynical and Scarred, and soon became one of the first bands to sign to the then-fledgling Vagrant Records. No Motiv continued their recording career by contributing songs to films and to Vagrant's Five Years on the Streets compilation. The latter in particular set the stage for No Motiv's Vagrant label debut album; And the Sadness Prevails was released in early 1999. Ten tours and two years later, Diagram for Healing, produced by Face to Face's Trever Keith, was issued in spring 2001. Lineup changes ensued before the release of the Lola EP in June 2003, and January of the following year saw the darker, more mature effort of Daylight Breaking. By this time, No Motiv consisted of Max McDonald (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Palaszewski (vocals, guitar), Jeff Hershey (bass), and Roger Camero (drums). ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
No Motiv is an alternative rock and punk rock band from Oxnard, California signed to Vagrant Records. As of 2006, No Motiv were the 'oldest' Vagrant band, having been with Vagrant Records longer than any other artist on the Vagrant roster. The current No Motiv line up includes former bassist Roger Camero behind the drum kit. Camero never left the band, but rather moved to the drums when drummer Pat Pedraza left the band to join alternative rock band From Satellite. Their first album, Cynical, was distributed by Edge Records. Their second album Scarred is a collection of unreleased demos and remixes also released by Edge Records. No Motiv subsequently left Edge for unspecified reasons. The band is known for rarely, if ever, playing songs from these two albums at their live shows. The band had its greatest success with the 2004 release Daylight Breaking, which reached #36 on Billboard's Top Independent albums chart.[1] During the past two years, No Motiv has played only two live shows. The first took place on June 11, 2006, at the Livery Theatre in Ventura, CA, as a benefit show for the closing of the venue, as well as a reunion of legendy sadcore band The Whereabouts. No Motiv most recently played an impromptu set in 2008 with Le Meu Le Purr at Billy O's in Ventura CA.
While No Motiv never released an official statement announcing their breakup, the band is considered to be on hiatus and inactive at the present time. Jeremy and Jeff reside in Ventura, CA, and have started recording material under a new band called Monster Hand. Max lives in Brooklyn, NY and has been recording material under a solo project called Gentlemen. Roger is enrolled in recording classes at Long Beach City College, resides in Irvine, CA, and is writing songs for school projects and for fun under the name He Fails Me.
All band members remain close friends to this day, and also are involved in many side projects in addition to the ones mentioned above, such as Hybrid Moments, Death Country Blues, and Machines.
The song "Independence Day" was featured on the soundtrack of the video game Burnout 3, the song "Give Me Strength" was featured on the soundtrack of the video game Transworld Surf and their cover of "Space Age Love Song" is featured in the Not Another Teen Movie.
