Not Having Fun – The Athens EP

On their debut EP, Not Having Fun run roughshod over preconceptions of punk. Every guitar solo stands out like a middle finger to hardcore bros and every AC/DC riff feels as ill-timed as cracking open a 40oz at a funeral. It’s this irreverence which makes The Athens EP so enticing, despite the rough edges.

Guitarist John Pierce (Man Up, Yancey) leads the trio in gang vocals so raw they are nearly elemental. Yet, despite the aggression, there are some latent pop tendencies on the record reminiscent of the Queers. Despite their name, Not Having Fun isn’t above a little merriment. Their live shows feel like the parties you used to have when your friend’s parents were away, with all the stuffed animal tossing and wig donning included, and for the most part they are able to capture this energy on the record.

Each of the four songs on the EP has a vastly different feel. By the final track, it’s easy to wonder if you are listening to the same band which careened about like a grungy tornado on the first two cuts. “Scape Goat” sounds more like a lo-fi power ballad, and succeeds with middling results. To say that Not Having Fun should stick to raucous, sloppy punk seems premature this early in their career, but on their first album it’s really all that sticks.

More Info
Bandcamp: nothavingfun.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @Nothavingfun