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Veteran punk rock and emo band No Motiv has released a newly re-recorded version of "Never Ending Cloudy Day", a song originally featured on their 1996 LP Cynical. Revisiting this early piece of their history, the band breathes new life into a track that remains just as relevant today as it was nearly three decades ago.

Reflecting on the origins of "Never Ending Cloudy Day," Jeremy Palaszewski (vocals, guitar) shared: "This song is pretty old. I think it was about 1995 or so. I just remember there was a lot of homophobia growing up around my hometown. Friends and older brothers, even dads were always calling people homos and f*gs in a derogatory way. My brother was gay, so it was very abrasive for me to hear people talk so shallow and cheaply about people they don’t even know. I guess I just got sick of hearing talk like that, so naturally, I wrote a song about someone coming out of the closet. Who cares if anyone is gay anyways? Shouldn’t even matter or be an issue when it comes to common decency and friendship."

Drummer Patrick Pedraza recalls the early days of the song and the impact it had within their scene: "We were just out of high school. Jeremy wrote a simple song that just came together so easily. A local radio station had it on full rotation. We were like, what the heck? It was a fun time."

Now, nearly 30 years later, No Motiv has revisited the track in a time where its message remains crucial. Roger Camero (bass) reflected on its original release and the importance of bringing it back now:

"It’s a trip going back and listening to the original version of "Never Ending Cloudy Day." During high school, before I joined the band, I was watching the band do special things that the rest of us really looked up to. They were playing shows outside of Oxnard, recording at studios like Fat Planet, and putting out records. This era of No Motiv helped pave the way for the next generation of Nardcore bands to carry the torch that was lit by the OG bands, like Ill Repute, Dr. Know, and Agression. To be able to bring this song back, at a time in our lives that is seeing diversity and free love being challenged like nothing we’ve ever seen before… it’s important to show love towards the people that are once again being silenced."

Guitarist Max McDonald shared his perspective on the re-recording process:

"What an opportunity to revisit such a simple song from a simple time. Writing songs was such a visceral process at that age, which has a special magic. To be able to layer in a little extra layer from a (slightly) more grown-up perspective is both fun and a bit of a challenge. Keep it simple!"

The re-recorded "Never Ending Cloudy Day" stands as a testament to No Motiv’s enduring passion and their commitment to messages of inclusivity and understanding. As society continues to wrestle with issues of discrimination and intolerance, No Motiv hopes their music can serve as a voice for empathy and acceptance.

No Motiv is a punk rock and emo band from Oxnard, California, known for their heartfelt lyrics and melodic intensity. As one of the early bands on Vagrant Records, they played a key role in the late-90s and early-2000s emo and punk scenes. With a discography that includes And the Sadness Prevails…, Diagram for Healing, and Daylight Breaking, the band continues to hold a special place in the underground music world.