Mama

Mama is the debut album by Victoria, British Columbia punk rock band Nomeansno. Featuring the band's original incarnation comprising brothers John and Rob Wright, the album was released independently on LP in 1982. Nomeansno reissued a remastered version the album in 1992 on their own Wrong Records imprint, coupled with the tracks from their Betrayal, Fear, Anger, Hatred EP of 1981. Recorded after a period of gigging as a two-piece lineup with bass, drums, and vocals, the album reflects the band's early live sound, with minimal guitar overdubs. Nomeansno later expanded their sound with the addition of guitarist Andy Kerr and developed a following after signing with the Alternative Tentacles imprint, but Mama remained popular with fans and critics. Writing for Trouser Press, critic Ira Robbins described Mama and the band's early 7-inches as "Devo on a jazz trip, Motörhead after art school, or Wire on psychotic steroids." Background and recording Brothers Rob and John Wright began recording music in their parents' basement in 1979. They adopted the moniker Nomeansno and recorded songs with traditional rock arrangements, including guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals. Some of these recordings were issued as the "Look, Here Come the Wormies / SS Social Service" split 7-inch (1980) and the Betrayal, Fear, Anger, Hatred EP (1981), while others appeared on various compilations throughout the next few decades. In 1981, the brothers began performing as a live duo comprising bass and drums, played by Rob and John respectively, while both sang. The songs from this incarnation featured hardcore punk influence, but their sound remained experimental. John Wright later reflected on their early sound and its development without a guitar: