(shown left to right)
Steffen Franz - bass, vocals
Michael Doyle - guitar, vocals
Drew Berger - vocals
Nick Vatalaro - drums

As long time collaborators, Not For Not, forged their decade long friendships in the nightclubs of the Eleventh Street corridor of San Francisco's South of Market district. During the 1990's, the group's members worked alongside each other in different capacities in the entertainment business. These relationships led to the formation of Not For Not, albeit years later; inspiring the four to seek, as well as, achieve more. Not for wasting time, not for wasting energy, not for the status quo, not for show . . . Not - For - Not!

Not For Not features vocalists and songwriters Andrew Berger, a longtime poet who found his singing voice after years of acting and poetry slams, and Michael Doyle, who, for 7 years, was an MC and a founding member of the San Francisco hip hop group New Dealers. It was clear after years of shows, that both of them were looking for another outlet. Drew's voice evokes a feeling of early Talking Heads, while Mike's guitar and vocals are influenced and nurtured by such individuals such as Jimi Hendrix, Wino, Malcolm and Angus Young, and Albert King. NFN's bass player is none other than Steffen Franz, aka Stand Out Selector, president of Positive Sound Massive and Independent Distribution Collective, and dancehall reggae MC, DJ, and Producer. On the Drums, Nick Vatalaro, a 15 year music industry veteran, holds down the beat with force and conviction. All in all, Not For Not is a powerful, dynamic group with a sound that at one extreme could be called "Stoner Rock" and at the other could be described as "Dubby" . . . with a whole heap of flavors mixed up in between.

Not For Not has recorded a handful of songs over the past few years, including a 5 song EP called "Time to Shine". They are always in the process of writing new songs and will return to the studio after a long break to record another half dozen new songs. The group plans to record and release about 12 songs over the next few months and they will release a full-length album in early 2007. There are also a ton of local gigs and touring plans on the horizon. And check out the group's sonicbids.com page for even more Not For Not audio, info, and yes . . . wholesome goodness.

Not For Not is well inspired by (in no particular order):

Bad Brains, Linton "Kwesi" Johnson, The Clash, Lemmy and Motorhead, Jane's Addiction, Neil Young, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Bon Scott, Angus and Malcolm, King Tubby, Jack Bruce, Jimi, Eddie Hazel, David Byrne, Gibby and the Butthole Surfers, Duane Allman, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Harrison, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Lee Perry, Pink Floyd, Mike Watt, Elvin Jones, Fela Kuti, Style Scott, Nirvana, Sly and Robbie, Yes, Joy Division, Spearhead, Burning Spear, The Police . . . and so many more we don't have room to mention them all here!!!