29 November 2021 - 0 Comments

Introduction from Lauren:

"The Not Okays is a play on the song that kicked emo off for pretty much everybody, My Chem’s I’m Not Okay. We started a few years ago now to support Ding Dong Lounge’s incredibly popular and fun emo nights, which felt like a natural progression as we had so many talented friends in various bands who loved performing and sure as hell loved the emo classics."

"Personally, I’ve been on a pretty intense journey when it comes to my mental health over the time this band has been in existence. I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety for the first time, been off and on various antidepressants, and still felt like something wasn’t quite right. It’s been a DAMN challenging patch."

"Over lockdown, I finally advocated for my mental health and after 27 years a fantastic psychologist has figured it out-- this bitch has ADHD. Finally being medicated for this has lit a fire under me that I didn’t know existed, and the amping up of The Not Okays is a reflection of this. For the first time my passion for music and strong desire to contribute to Aotearoa’s incredible rock scene has outweighed the dark, self-critical voices in my head, and I cannot WAIT to show you what we can do."

"I want The Not Okays to be able to release stigma around mental health, that it’s TOTALLY fucking okay to be not okay. It’s okay to talk about it, it’s okay to not be perfect, and it’s TOTALLY okay to be a depressed, anxious ADHD chick who wants to be a part of the emo revival."

"The second that Avril’s Bite Me came out, I knew this was our time. I mean for fucks sakes, the Kardashians (lumping in Megan Fox here too) are dating rockers (lumping in Pete Davidson here too). All five of us are overgrown emos with such a great friendship (apart from B and I, that’s straight marriage there folks), and I can’t wait to see where this band takes us-- originals are absolutely on the cards, watch this space."

Lauren Borhani - Vocals

With a heavy history of musical theatre as a young lass, Lauren has always been a singer. Her love of rock started at a young age, with heavy influence from her father. Her side-fringe has been her signature look since high school, and she never grew out of that high school emo phase. Lauren is known in the rock scene as a DJ, residing primarily at New Zealand’s premier rock bar Ding Dong Lounge, and spins rock, metal, indie, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and more. The Not Okays is her debut as a frontwoman, and she’s stoked to do it with her husband Bahador.

Aaron Prictor - Guitar, Vocals

Aaron was always going to be a musician, it’s in his blood! Son of a Yandall Sister, Aaron is a smooth operator and obviously a Jason Mamoa look alike. He is a talented producer, singer, writer and guitarist and is a force to be reckoned with. Guitarist and vocalist for award-winning Kiwi country pop singer Kaylee Bell, Aaron is also the frontman for MIRA.

Noriel Wong - Guitar

Noz is our social media guy, and quite honestly the best shitposter in the world. All of those harsh emo memes on our page? That’s him and his genius. Noriel is also a member of surf rock band Dusty Sundays, rock/metal band MIRA, past-member of funk band Brown Sugar Factory, and a DJ/producer for his solo project LVST NIGHT. Noriel’s strength is his ability to be flexible and adaptable with his music, incorporating every genre he loves into different projects. He owes his love of guitar and music to his father and step-grandfather. 

Caitlin Clark - Bass

Caitlin and Lauren have been good friends since high school (that’s well over 10 years). She is a classically-trained pianist with a great ear and natural talent, and picked up bass for her high school band which graced the stage of Christchurch’s Zebedees frequently. The partner of Aaron, these two are a musical power couple.

Bahador Borhani - Drums

Bahador is a staple in New Zealand’s rock scene, and is known as an accomplished guitarist. He has opened for absolute rock icons such as Slash, ZZ Top, Def Leppard and Alice Cooper with Shotgun Alley, and for Escape The Fate, Pendulum, Limp Bizkit and Falling in Reverse with the incredible Written by Wolves. The Not Okays was Bahador’s first foray into drums, which he then took with him to MIRA and LIIT. Beej is also an incredible director, videographer, editor, artist, designer, husband, cat-dad and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Come for the tunes, stay for the memes x

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