Zero Dollar Bill is an bangsmun.
At the back end of last year when I saw a young Nottingham band deep in the centre of Newcastle, off the back of three singles that had drawn me in, I immediately knew they were something special. A few months down the line and they’ve released their debut EP, Zero Dollar Bill, and it is an immersive bangsmun.
Do Nothing discuss the vulnerabilities of modern life through tongue in cheek lyrics and heavy instrumentation, they fit the bill of early LCD Soundsystem fronted by Mark E. Smith, an inspired blend that they’ve mastered.
The EP opens with my favourite track ‘Comedy Gold’ the song lingers and teases to what eventually follows, without any drums for a solid minute, before the tune kickstarts and rouses a dropkick of emotion – fast and hard, all narrated by frontman Chris Bailey who nitpicks at modern society, seemingly taking things he doesn’t like and putting them somewhere else, with shitloads of swagger – his soon to be iconic preaching something that physically translates to their live show.
The middle of the EP represents a new step for Do Nothing. ‘Contraband’ sonically is like a lesson on how to play indie pop, but instead of happy go lucky let’s talk about the sun, the song takes a dive into the despair, Bailey sounding desperate and tortured. The lyrics and their anguish in delivery shouldn’t work but they do, you’re left hanging onto every word, every next step of the journey, whilst the rest of the band seem to be on a different page, but the same one. It’s confusing but also correct, an abstract but perfect fit.
The early punch and kick of their angry singles is still present on ‘Lebron James’ and ‘Fits’, but what this first big release shows is a band primed for the big time and a welcomed voice of reason in such unpredictable times.
Haiku Review:
From deep in the Toon
To a tongue in cheek EP,
It’s only the start.
Listen to Do Nothing on Spotify and Apple Music. Get the latest edition of our print magazine featuring cover star Soccer Mommy, grammy-nominated Black Pumas, Alfie Templeman and more HERE.
