Have Nots

ByLets Go Punk
Boston’s Have Nots mix punk and ska

Have Nots is a band from Boston that blends sharp punk energy with ska rhythms and big singalong hooks. Since forming in the mid-2000s, they have leaned on constant touring, socially aware lyrics, and tightly written records instead of glossy marketing tricks.

How The Band Got Started

Have Nots formed in 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. The lineup pulled together members from local bands Chicago Typewriter and Stray Bullets, so everyone arrived with some miles already logged in small venues and clubs. Rather than easing into things, they hit the ground playing local shows as soon as the project solidified.

Before they had even released an album, Have Nots shared stages with established Boston ska and punk staples such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Big D and The Kids Table. That early co-sign placed them in front of crowds that were already primed for fast, upbeat music that still carried a political edge.

Serf City USA And Constant Touring

The band first put out a demo, then headed into the studio to record what would become their debut full-length, Serf City USA, in 2009. At first they self-released the album, doing things the hard way by pressing copies themselves and pushing it at shows and through word of mouth.

The record eventually caught the attention of Vinnie Fiorello from Paper + Plastick Records after he received a copy from Steve Foote of Big D and The Kids Table. Paper + Plastick gave Serf City USA a wider push, issuing it on both CD and vinyl while the band made it available as a free MP3 download. That move helped them reach people who might not have found them through traditional channels.

After the album’s release, Have Nots built a reputation on the road. They were selected to play the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble and went on tours with Dropkick Murphys, Anti-Flag, Street Dogs, and Swingin’ Utters. In late 2010 they took their show overseas for a European tour, bringing the Boston sound to new rooms and new audiences.

Proud And Later Activity

In May 2011, Have Nots followed their debut with a second full-length, Proud. The album was produced by Matt Drastic, the drummer of Teen Idols, and engineered by Stephen Egerton of Descendents. That team helped the band tighten their sound without stripping away the grit that made their earlier work hit hard.

The release of Proud kept the band on the road and deepened their catalog, giving live sets more variety. In 2013, guitarist and vocalist Matt Pruitt also stepped into a new role as the guitarist for Street Dogs, linking Have Nots even more closely with the wider Boston punk world.

Members

  • Jon Cauztik – guitar, vocals.
  • Matt Pruitt – guitar, vocals.
  • Jameson Hollis – bass.
  • Steve Patton – drums.

Discography

  • Serf City USA (2009, Paper + Plastick, originally self-released).
  • Proud (2011, Paper + Plastick).

Videography

  • “One in Four” (2009).
  • “Poisoned Antidote” (2010).
  • “Used to Be” (2010).
  • “Louisville Slugger” (2011).
  • “Proud” (2011).

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