Do Nothing

Do Nothing emerged from Nottingham's fertile post-punk scene in the late 2010s, originally performing as Field Studies before pivoting to their current, more acerbic identity. Led by vocalist Chris Bailey, the band is a central fixture of the 'post-Brexit new wave' or 'crank wave' movement, though they distinguish themselves through a higher degree of melodic sophistication and theatricality than many of their peers.

Their sound is characterized by 'dry' production values, emphasizing the physical space of the instruments and the rhythmic interplay between Andy Harrison's guitar and Charlie Howarth's prominent bass work. Critically, they are noted for Bailey's lyrical style, which utilizes non-sequiturs and corporate jargon to explore themes of modern alienation and existential dread. Their evolution from the jagged, minimalist EPs like 'Handshakes' to the more polished and introspective 'Snake Sideways' demonstrates a band moving beyond the constraints of the post-punk revival into a more permanent art-rock space. They occupy a cultural niche that bridges the gap between the aggressive sprechgesang of Sleaford Mods and the sophisticated art-pop of Talking Heads.