Review
Not On Tour
Outtakes EP

SBÄM Records (2021) Dennis

Not On Tour – Outtakes EP cover artwork
Not On Tour – Outtakes EP — SBÄM Records, 2021

I can’t believe this is the first time Not On Tour is reviewed on this site. Not On Tour is a skate punk band from Tel Aviv, Israel. This band is insanely melodic and catchy. Not On Tour is one of those bands that master a certain art: they seem to effortlessly combine speed with catchy melodies.

The band nailed this style very early on in their career and haven’t changed it that much. Their strength lies in the extreme focus in their songwriting. Songs that last more than 90 seconds are kind of rare. Also: they should never part ways with singer Sima as she is the perfect singer for Not On Tour.

Where a Not On Tour song never outstays its welcome, I feel their albums usually could be trimmed two or three songs down. Their latest album, Growing Pains from 2019 also suffered from this. So it is kind of funny considering the three songs on this outtake are from the sessions for that album.

Now, I do understand that the band might have some difficulties choosing which songs to leave of that album as these three songs would have fit in without any problem. The only exception being “GMSN” which could use some more work on the lyrics. Now it’s only repeating the band members names which might sound funny once, but becomes stale really quickly.

If you are already familiar with Not On Tour you know you need this EP. If you don’t know them yet, let these three songs convince you you need to hear more from them soon!

8.0 / 10Dennis • September 28, 2021

Not On Tour – Outtakes EP cover artwork
Not On Tour – Outtakes EP — SBÄM Records, 2021

Recently-posted album reviews

Bitter Branches

Let's Give The Land Back To The Animals
Equal Vision (2026)

Sometimes when you think of a town you think of a certain sound. Philadelphia is not one of those cities for me, as the bands I know from the area vary a lot in style. Yes, there is the Dan Yemin tree (Lifetime / Kid Dynamite / Paint It Black) but there are also poppy bands and emo bands and … Read more

Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs

Pigus Drunkus Maximus (Reissue)
Blind Owl Records (2026)

If rock ’n’ roll ever had a smoky, beer-soaked, throbbing heartbeat, it lives in Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs’ Pigus Drunkus Maximus. Recorded in 1981 but not released until 1987 on Restless Records, the album always felt like a document out of time — lightning caught like fireflies in clumsy hands, then bottled too long. This newly remastered reissue, … Read more

Dream Fatigue

No Requiem
Daze (2026)

There’s a particular tension that makes alternative rock compelling. I love the emotional push and pull between softness and eruption. On No Requiem, Massachusetts outfit Dream Fatigue thrive in that space, crafting a seven song EP that balances dreamlike melody with bursts of distortion and emotional urgency. Born from the creative partnership between drummer Matt Wood and vocalist Jonali McFadden, … Read more