Story by Conner Kennedy from COMM 2311-151/ Newswriting
South Plains College knows a thing or two about successful alumni. A page on SPC’s website lists some of SPC’s “notable alumni” including Lee Ann Womack and Josh Abbott. Now, it looks like SPC has its next memorable student ready to take the stage.
Duncan Newey, an SPC commercial music student from 2018-2020, is the drummer for the Alabama-based hardcore band No Cure. The band recently wrapped up a North American tour, supporting well respected bands Varials and thrown. Last year No Cure signed with its first label, SharpTone Records.
Newey isn’t new to the music world. He’s been a member of various bands since he was a teen.
“I think I’ve held the same love for playing music since I started playing shows consistently in high school around 2015,” says Newey.
SPC Instructor of Commercial Music Devin Collins remembers Newey as a “wonderful” student.
“He was a member of multiple groups that I taught while he was at SPC, including Touring Ensemble and Warped Tour Ensemble,” Collins says.
“No Cure are going places, whether you want them to or not,” says an article published by the hardcore, metal music review website, Lambgoat.
Newey says he loves everything about what he does, and that includes touring.
“I love going to a different city every day and exploring,” he says.
No Cure identifies as a straight-edge band, which means the group proudly promotes a life of no substances. No alcohol, no drugs, just music. This may seem contrary to the “rock-and-roll” lifestyle many hear about, but that may be one of the things that makes No Cure special.
“Considering the uglier stereotypes that people tend to attribute to the Deep South, this might as well be a group of individuals from another dimension,” says music critic site, The Soundboard.
Collins says No Cure is more than just a music project.
“Hardcore music has a strong following,” he says, “and the straight-edge message that No Cure espouses resonates with its fans as a way to enjoy aggressive music without the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
In looking back, Newey remembers his time at SPC fondly. “The SPC Commercial Music program helped reform me in many ways,” he says. “I learned to be a tighter performer because of my time there. I will always be grateful for that.”
Newey also credits his time at SPC with many of his early connections in the industry.
“I already had two U.S. tours under my belt by my third semester at SPC because of connections I made through playing shows,” he says.
Newey offers some final words of advice for current SPC students who also want to make it in the music industry.
“Use your time in school as a steppingstone,” he says, “and get the tools you need out of it. School is not your end all be all. You’re only getting older.”
No Cure’s most recent album, I Hope I Die Here, is available on most streaming platforms.
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