Have Nots

By Barry Thompson

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"Everyone keeps putting 'The Have Nots' on fliers. It's definitely just 'Have Nots,' a representation of a certain demographic," says guitarist and co-vocalist Jon Cauztik, formerly known as "that guy from Stray Bullets," during a pre-band practice interview. "It's arrogant to say, 'We are The Have Nots,'" says bassist Jameson Hollis. "We have less than you have. Come watch us."

Friggin' everybody does political songs nowadays, but not even the bulk of punk-ska-reggae outfits want to be stigmatized as "political." It's just bad marketing. Can't have audiences thinking they have to pay attention to lyrics instead of dance. Either out of necessity, or the reliability with which their audiences skank and/or two-step themselves retarded, Have Nots don't mind being a political band.

"I guess I'm not interesting enough to write about myself," says other guitarist-and-singer dude, Matt Pruitt. "I've found it easier to put myself in the shoes of people who have it a lot worse than I do, and try to imagine what it feels like."

"If you're a punk band and you're not political," says Cauztik, "you're a speed pop band. Sorry." That statement is definitely not getting a popular consensus, but it's a philosophy that's working for this well-nigh Boston punk super-group, so why argue semantics?

It was twilight of 2006 when a half-asleep Pruitt accidentally phoned Cauztik, who had just concluded an abortive stint in Chicago Typewriter, the other three present-day Have Nots' old band. In his waking disorientation, Pruitt proposed that the same four people start an entirely new project. This was a magical accident. Ever since, its spry, infectious consequences have galvanized circle pits all over this fucking town. A debut full-length for BANKSHOT! Records (former asylum of Leftöver Crack and World/Inferno Friendship Society) looms in the not-too-distant future. Incidentally, if anybody at BANKSHOT! is reading this, call Cauztik back.

An attempt to definitively recapitulate the "message" of Have Nots would cheat everyone involved, but to offer my interpretation—as long as nobody gets assassinated or beaten by riot cops, civil disobedience can be fun as hell.

[Have Nots with Time Again, Mark Lind and the Unloved. Sun. 4.6. Middle East Upstairs. 472 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.3278. 1pm/all ages/$10. mideastclub.com]