(posted 1/12/03)
Nowhere Squares, melodic punk/rock from Montevallo ...

It's easy to see and hear that the Nowhere Squares aren't spring chickens.

The four peice originally from Montevallo (Paul Wilm-lead vocals, Spin Shoults-drums, Austin Carpenter-bass, Justin Cordes-guitar) joked with a crowd at the Chukker on January 10th, 2003 that they were on the cranky, creaky and ready for a nap. But the Squares weren't showing their age, just their experience.

The Nowhere Squares have been kicking around the Tuscaloosa music scene since the band's 1996 inception in Montevallo. On this night, the effect of six years spent playing together was evident. The band showed off some dynamic songwriting skills, tight playing and a frentic energy level that peaked like an overboiled kettle.

But the Squares vocal element proved to be their strongest suit. Leads and backups harmonized with ease ... and power. The music can carry a band, but you've got to have the extra punch to grab people's attention. The Nowhere Squares showed that. There's definitely no one else who sounds quite like them.

In its six year existence, the Nowhere Squares have taken their quirky brand of melodic punk rock to fans all over the Deep South. Tuscaloosa remains a frequent watering holes. The band says its favorite place to play in the Druid City is downtown at Dionysus.

"That outside stage in the summertime makes for some good atmosphere," says bassist Austin Carpenter.

Other Tuscaloosa favorites for the Squares are Peptito's Mexican Restaurant, as well as local bands Model Citizen and The Dexateens. Vocalist Paul Wilm says those two groups are responsible for starting, and keeping, a rather strange Tuscaloosa tradition.

"People used to spit beer on us in Tuscaloosa. We miss that. That was a unique Tuscaloosa thing." Wilm said with a laugh.

Fortunately, it's a tradition that only rears its ugly head when Model Citizen or the Dexateens are around. Those bands, along with several other local acts including, Daikaiju, Model Citizen and 1945, are part of a new compilation record titled "Here's to Last Summer".

The Nowhere Squares are helping organize the effort. The Squares will also soon be supporting their latest release titled "Girls Who Work Alone."

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