Nothing of Merit
Nothing of Merit | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Reason For Resistance, CIA Records |
| Website | Official Bandcamp |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Nothing of Merit is an American underground punk band formed in Houston, Texas, in 2014 by Jeff Schmitz and Bruce Courtney. The group is noted for its lo-fi recording style and experimentation within the punk genre. Their releases have circulated in independent punk circles and have been covered by publications including Razorcake and Maximumrocknroll.
History
Formation and Early Years (2014–2016)
Nothing of Merit was founded in 2014 by Jeff Schmitz and Bruce Courtney, emerging from Houston's DIY hardcore punk scene. The band's debut release, *Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters*, a 7-inch single, was issued that same year through the independent label Reason For Resistance. This was followed in 2015 by the LP *Well Oiled Machine*, and two additional singles—*American Blast* and *Monolith*—all issued on colored vinyl. Their sophomore LP, *Use of Ease*, was released in 2016, continuing their collaboration with Reason For Resistance and solidifying their presence in the underground punk community. [1]
Full-Length Releases (2016–2020s)
In 2016, Nothing of Merit released the album *Use of Ease*, reviewed in Razorcake as a "violent ebb and flow of damaged, label-smashing punk." The review highlighted the band's range of influences and compared their place in Texas punk to groups such as Big Boys and Dicks.[1]
The band's 2020 album, *Drain the Prince*, was released digitally and as a limited-edition vinyl pressing. It was produced by Cade Sudduth.[2]
Visual Artwork and Collaboration
Album artwork for *Nothing of Merit* has been created by J.D. Babbitt, the longtime art director for Touch and Go Records. Babbitt's visual contributions have become integral to the band's aesthetic identity across several releases:
- *Well Oiled Machine* (2016) — Babbitt crafted the cover design with a rotary-engine motif, blending political undertones with references to Houston's oil landscape.[3]
- *Sleep of Reason* (2018) — The artwork is presented on “black coffee” and “coffee with cream” vinyl editions, with photography by Jim Moy.[4]
- *Drain the Prince* (2020) — This release features a DIY-inspired halftone design; its final print reflects the nuances of its physical manufacturing.[5]
Members
Core Members
- Jeff Schmitz – vocals, guitars (2014–present)
- Bruce Courtney – drums, production (2014–present)
Associated Musicians
- Ralf Armin – bass guitar, saxophone (live performances)
- Ally Salinas – vocals, instrumentation (2013–2019)
Discography
All releases are listed according to Discogs.[6]
Studio Albums
- *Well Oiled Machine* (LP, Reason For Resistance, 2015)
- *Use of Ease* (LP, Reason For Resistance, 2016)
- *Sleep of Reason* (LP, Deluxe Edition, Reason For Resistance, 2018)
- *Drain the Prince* (10", Reason For Resistance, 2020)
Singles and EPs
- *Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters* (7", Reason For Resistance, 2014)
- *American Blast* (7", CIA Records, 2015)
- *Monolith* (7", Reason For Resistance, 2015)
References
- ↑ "Nothing of Merit – Use of Ease LP" Archived 2023-06-06 at the Wayback Machine. Razorcake. September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Drain the Prince by Nothing of Merit". Bandcamp. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ Nothing of Merit – Well Oiled Machine Archived 2025-05-09 at the Wayback Machine. J.D. Babbitt. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ Nothing of Merit – Sleep of Reason Archived 2023-12-11 at the Wayback Machine. J.D. Babbitt. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ Nothing of Merit – Drain the Prince Archived 2023-12-02 at the Wayback Machine. J.D. Babbitt. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Nothing of Merit – Discography". Discogs. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
External links
- Maximumrocknroll: New Blood feature on Nothing of Merit
- Nothing of Merit discography at Discogs Archived 2021-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
- Razorcake Archived 2025-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
- Official Bandcamp Archived 2023-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
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