No Convictions - "Atlanta's Classic Rock Band"

our history

The No Convictions Story

The Early Years

Way back in 1981, two young high-school hooligans, Wayne Lunsford and Michael Snodgrass, met up at Northside High School in Atlanta, GA. Right away they formed the Jacobins (a punk tribute ensemble). They fashioned a sound reminiscent of 1970's British Punk band the Sex Pistols in order maintain the rebellious teen status keeping them securely on the fringe of the socially unacceptable.

But it wasn't long before they resigned to the music they were raised on and began transforming their sound into something more true to their influences. During this time Wayne played in several high school bands such as 'Great Brittian' (a Black Sabbath, Ozzy, UFO, Scorpions and Def Leppard cover band formed by another high school friend and guitar virtuoso Paul Brittian) performing at parties and other events such as a multiple headline benefit show for the American Heart Association. Bass player "Snod" was also busy refining his chops hooking up with venues and quickly gaining acceptance in the very early years of the L5P transformation into the Atlanta art & music mecca.

Wayne left 'Great Brittain' to team up with friend and classmate John Pack (a Robert Smith impersonator) to put together a dance band called 'Avarice' which lasted long enough to play the grand opening for a brand new ATL area venue called the Metroplex (later became a frequent stop for the 'Red Hot Chili Peppers' and others). 'Avarice' then transformed into the 'Cocktail Girls' guitarist Chris Tinsley who would later break free and form 'Follow For Now'. Wayne and Cris Tinsley both separated from John Pack shortly before the 'Cocktail Girls' were signed by a local producer and released their one and only album, which sold more copies in the UK than state-side.

Wayne once again joined up with long-time pal and Bassist Mike "Snod" for jams, but musicians were becoming transitory and creative inspiration seemed to be passing. Wayne and "Snod" put down their axes in the mid 80's and a six year hiatus followed during which time a lot of soul searching, in and out of University, and other art forms filled in. The intoxicating song of the sirens had also distracted them and at times lead them crashing into the rocks.

Wasted Effort

In the late 80's Wayne was once again recruited by long-time friend Mike Snodgrass to perform a one-night gig at a corporate talent show hosted by national Audio/Visual giant TAVS. Inspired by guitarist and friend Joe Parello of “Glory”, Wayne agreed and the group got fast to work rehearsing songs by Eric Clapton, Rainbow and others. The response was tremendous and the guys were once again on the rock and roll adventure.

Before joining up with the core group, which would become the founding members of “John Barleycorn”, Mike Snodgrass enlisted TAVS co-worker, Scott Tunnell, a classically trained Pianist out of Oakridge, Tennessee, to join the lineup for a piano/keyboard inspired progressive art rock ensemble. Under the toung-in-cheek name 'Wasted Effort” these three friends began their long journey.

The band would not be complete without enlisting the help of drummer and long-time close friend/director of fun (and channel to every musical connection in the ATL area) Carlos "Los" Barreros. The band then pulled in Wayne's father, inspiration and retired musician Charlie Lunsford to form the original line-up of 'John Barleycorn'. The band had successfully completed the five member line-up featuring Wayne Lunsford on lead guitar and vocals, Charlie Lunsford on rhythm member line-up featuring Wayne Lunsford on lead guitar and vocals, Charlie Lunsford on rhythm Barreros on drums.

John Barleycorn

In 1991 the band immediately began work on resurrecting an original rock opera written 23 years earlier. Blending the music and poetry of the opera with contemporary songwriting with an eclectic focus created a culmination that became JB's hallmark. After several months of rehearsing, photo shoots and promotion the band with an unpopular name was well on the way to achieving local success, and after a year of performing had gained the respect of local music celebs and had become a respected original band in the ATL circuit.

Wayne and Charles were the principle songwriters on the JB self titled debut, and wrote most of the material performed live. JB played the ATL original music showcase circuit with the original band members from 1991 to 1993 opening for David Allen Coe, playing side-by-side with internationally acclaimed rock/jazz guitar legend Barry Richmond as well as playing along side local Blues cult hero 'Mudcat', and swapping licks with many others. After three years and achieving local recognition and encouraging write-ups in local rags, JB caved in under internal tensions. The demand to push the music to the next level also began to stress relationships outside the band. During this time Wayne was seen playing, on occasion, with Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck to offer up some ripping blues and would often drop in on open mics at various clubs to swap licks with other gunslingers.

The Split

After a very brief hiatus, JB hired drummer Rick Ryan out of Poughkeepsie, NY to replace "Los" Barreros. Rick, an accomplished drummer, was eager to learn the material. Highly motivated, Rick shared Wayne's desire to evolve the band into a more well defined image - something that JB had been criticized for in local write-ups.

The musical diversity that had created the JB sound was becoming the encumbrance that would eventually split the band.

Unsatisfied with short-lived acclaim, JB changed the name to Sky Pilot for a short time before settling on the ostentatious name “Epic” as a desperate effort to give the band a new identity, and distance itself from a name coined by one local music critic as 'John Barleycorn' AKA "Nut Brown Bowl”.

Epic disbanded in 1994 and the group reformed under the same name a few months later with Wayne on lead guitar and vocals, Charlie on rhythm and vocals, Rick on drums and a nomadic Bass player from Anchorage, Alaska. After a few gigs and some soul searching Wayne settled on a new Bass player for 'Epic'. Jimmy C. originally from Buffalo, New York who had played Bass for 80's metal band 'Mean Street' and had competed with 'Jackal' to be the Aerosmith opening act on the Pump tour. Wayne had finally assembled the four piece power band line-up that would define the new sound that he had been searching for - but all at huge cost. Friendships had been damaged.

Wayne selectively re-worked several JB originals and performed the showcase circuit once again, but under this new identity. Wayne's guitar playing had reached a new level playing side-by-side metalist showman Jimmy C. Epic had put together a good rock show, but people weren't buying it. The music had become hopelessly predictable and bogged in the warmed-over sound of 70's anthem rock. The timing could not have been worse.

Frustrated with the lack of interest in Epic originals Wayne would lead the band to perform all covers during the peak of the alternative rock trend in the mid 90's. Before long the Epic hotline began to ring again. Although, the Epic name no longer had any meaning - little more than a word to put on the marquee, they were at least getting called to play. Armed with an arsenal of "grunge" standards the band began performing songs by Sound Garden, STP, Pearl Jam and others. Epic had regained marginal popularity by joining the ranks of other sellouts like 'Grumpy Fish' (Barnes' 99X band).

After a year had passed, the band convinced Wayne to begin writing originals again, but there was a more sinister plan at work. It was soon discovered that members of the Epic machine where attempting to copy write songs under the band name - songs that had been written exclusively by Wayne. During this “hiatus” from the band, Michael Snodgrass joined the Atlanta based alternative band “Sundowners”, who quickly garnered critical acclaim for their creative sound, and somewhat irreverent lyrics. As many talented groups do, Sundowners broke up over creative differences, after only 9 months.

In 1997 the members of Epic parted ways. Wayne immediately called up long-time friends "Snod" After some discussion (and a little groveling) they were back at the old studio, with the addition of blues guitarist shredder Kurt Wilson out of Jackson, Mississippi.

The band was missing a full-time drummer, and worked with several individuals over the next few months, until "Snod" brought in drummer Elvis Landivar out of Queens, New York. Elvis fit in right away and within a few weeks they were accepting shows again with Elvis singing nearly a third of the material.

No Convictions

The band with no name (featuring Wayne Lunsford on lead guitar and vocals, Charlie Lunsford on The band with no name (featuring Wayne Lunsford on lead guitar and vocals, Charlie Lunsford on bass, Scott Tunnell on keyboards and vocals and Elvis Landivar on drums and vocals) continued performing with strong momentum a combo of Classic Rock and Blues standards for about six months before realizing that they desperately needed a name. Scott Tunnell is credited with the name 'No Convictions', which has been the bands name ever since.

In 1999 Charlie and Kurt both departed the band to pursue other interests leaving Wayne, "Snod", Scott and Elvis to spread the music as a quartet. At first weakened by the loss of a very solid rhythm section, dueling lead guitars and two of the lead vocalists, 'No Convictions' was forced to make up for the absence.

They continued to concentrate on classic rock covers, but before accepting any more offers to play 'No Convictions' locked away in Red House Studios for six months polishing what would become their strongest sound ever. The band managed to faithfully re-construct an impressive collection of classic rock favorites featuring songs by artists like: the Beatles, Genesis, The Who, Rolling Stones, Elton John, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Allman Bros., Lynard Skynard, Wings, The Doors, Kansas, Bad Company, Head East and a whole lot of others.

For the next six years 'No Convictions' was asked to play by anyone who saw them perform. The gig opportunities came in large numbers as the demand for a solid classic rock cover band increased.

Elvis retired from playing in late 2004 to raise twins.

Once again in flux, the band held auditions for six weeks to fill the open drummer spot. Half a dozen drummers answered the call, but 'No Convictions' unanimously settled on drummer Brian Vig out of Cleveland, Ohio. Brian brings heavy hitting style, and solid drum work fit in perfectly with the No Convictions sound, but the band was still short on vocals, due to the loss of Elvis. Singer, and guitar player, Kris Lyons was brought in to fill out the newly re-formed quintet. This line up performed together sporadically for a few years, but never found the same momentum that it had when Elvis was a full-time member.

In late 2008, Elvis rejoined No Convictions, after the departure of drummer Brian Vig. The current line up of No Convictions: Wayne Lunsford, Michael Snodgrass, Scott Tunnell, Kris Lyons and Elvis Landivar has reemerged with an all new set of smokin' rock and roll, and a new found momentum to carry it though 2009 and beyond.

 

No Convictions - "Atlanta's Classic Rock Band" - info@nconvictions.com - Web Design by MSnod.com © 2009