Before we get into their latest release, let's give you a quick history brief on No Choice. Guitarist Ryan Ball tells No Echo the Arizona hardcore band came together organically. "[Vocalist] Matt and [guitarist] Hayden created the project in October of 2023," he says. "Very shortly after, Gunner was solidified as our drummer, and they began to work on the demo."
The lineup wasn't complete until a chance encounter at a hardcore show in Mesa. "After that, they approached Jarius and me at the Pain of Truth gig in Mesa and asked us to complete the lineup," Ryan recalls. "After the first few practices, we knew we were here to stay."
Ryan proudly says No Choice's local hardcore community has had the most impact on what they do. "I'd say the biggest inspiration for us would be our friends," he explains. "Our friends in the local Phoenix and Tucson hardcore scene have been killing it for years, and it has pushed us to want the same for ourselves."
Outside of their local scene, the band's collective record collection is built around one simple principle:
"We appreciate god-tier riffs," Ryan says. "Whether that be Crowbar, Dying Fetus, Everybody Gets Hurt, Integrity, Life of Agony... the list goes on, and we love all that shit."
That united mentality carried directly into their debut EP, Hell on Earth. "Each song from our latest release was a full collaborative effort," Ryan says. "From the riffs to the drumming to the lyrics, we all had a hand in the writing process."
The band also kept production in-house, DIY style. "Our guitar player, Hayden, is a kick-ass audio engineer and was able to record, mix, and master the whole thing," Ryan says. "Props to him."
No Choice is equally enthusiastic when talking about the Arizona hardcore community, which Ryan believes is overflowing with talent. "Our local scene back home is insane," he says. "There are a shit ton of bands in Arizona killing it right now." He points to Maldita Gente, House of Grief, Sacred Path, War Prison, Skin Ticket, Heresy, Final Stance, Prefect, Beyond All Doubt, and Heavyweight as just a few of the groups worth checking out.
At the moment, No Choice is wrapping up a tour alongside Oklahoma City's Nihil and Dredge, but the band is keeping it moving. "As soon as we get home, we have plans to finish up writing and release more music by the end of the year," Ryan says. "Belt to ass."
As our conversation reaches its end, Ryan shares the following:
"Stop push-pitting, mosh with your hands closed, support your friends, start a band, go to local shows, white supremacists and pedophiles need to die, listen to Terror Ave, mincecore sucks, use a tuner pedal," he says. "If you're into hardcore for the gimmick or social status, stay your bitch ass at home."
***
No Choice on social media: Instagram
Tagged: no choice
