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For the 2001 Cuban film, see Nothing More (film).
Nothing More
OriginSan Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active2003–present
Labels
MembersJonny Hawkins
Mark Vollelunga
Daniel Oliver
Ben Anderson
Past membersJosh Kercheville
Josh Klaus
Matt Reynolds
Travis Cox
Trey Graham
Devin Travieso
Paul O'Brien
Websitewww.nothingmore.net

Nothing More is an American rock band from San Antonio, Texas, United States. Formed in 2003, the band spent much of the 2000s recording independent albums and struggling to maintain a steady lineup or attract record label interest. Towards the end of the decade, the band's long-time drummer, Jonny Hawkins, decided to switch to being the band's frontman and lead vocalist, stabilizing the band's core lineup along with other long-time members Mark Vollelunga (guitar) and Daniel Oliver (bass). The band self-funded and recorded their fourth studio album, Nothing More, over the course of three years and used it to gain the attention of Eleven Seven Music record label, who signed the band to a five album record contract upon hearing it. The album became the band's breakthrough release in 2014, with multiple charting singles, including "This is the Time (Ballast)", which hit number 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart and number 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and "Mr. MTV", "Jenny", and "Here's to the Heartache" all charting in the top 15 of both charts.

The band began working on a follow-up in 2016 while continuing to tour in support of their self-titled release, and in September 2017, released their fifth studio album - their second on a major record label - The Stories We Tell Ourselves. The lead single, "Go to War", outperformed the prior singles, topping the Mainstream Rock chart, and the release earned the band three Grammy Award nominations; Best Rock Album for the album, and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for "Go to War". The band continued to promote the release moving into 2018, releasing singles, "Do You Really Want It?" and "Just Say When", and embarking on multiple North American tours into 2019.

History

Formation and early independent releases (2000–2010)

Band member Jonny Hawkins began playing drums as early as the seventh grade, which is around the time he met guitarist Mark Vollelunga, by hearing him play guitar at a church camp. The two became friends, and would hold informal jam sessions together with other students throughout their middle and high school years.[1] In 2003, Hawkins and Vollelunga officially formed the band.[2]

Around the end of high school, the band began recording music and touring locally, which they did for years, plagued by lineup changes and the inability to garner a contract from a record label.[1][3][4] In 2004, the band released the more funk-influenced album Shelter with vocalist Josh Klaus, bassist Matt Reynolds, and second guitarist Josh Kercheville.[4][5] Klaus, followed shortly by Reynolds, were replaced in 2004 by Travis Cox and Daniel Oliver, respectively; they recorded and released the EP Madhatter's Bliss in July 2005.[4][6][7] A compilation album, Vandura, largely consisting of the tracks from the first two releases, was also released in May 2006.[8] Cox was later replaced by singer Trey Graham, who had previously toured with Kelly Clarkson.[4] The band found some form of success in the release, releasing the album Save You/Save Me in 2007 and touring with Thirty Seconds to Mars and getting on to The Warped Tour, but ultimately felt unhappy with the compromise of moving in a more pop, mainstream influence from Graham, and parted ways with the singer. Around the same time, Kercheville left the band as well, leaving the band as a trio.[4]

By mid-2008, the band was at a crossroads. Hawkins began struggling with depression, due to a number of personal issues, ranging from his mother's diagnosis, and eventual death, from cancer, the end of a five-year romantic relationship, and stress from turnover in band membership.[4] Additionally, the band had won a "battle of the bands" contest prior to losing Graham and Kercheville, but collecting the prize money and instruments they had won required them to perform a showcase in front of record label executives.[9] Feeling a drastic change was in order, Hawkins decided, after over 8 years as the band's drummer, to instead become the band's frontman and lead vocalist.[1] While the performance, having Hawkins do drums and vocals concurrently, did not go over well, his instinct was that this was the correct direction for the band to pursue ultimately.[9] Despite Hawkins' lack of formal experience in singing, and even general fear of public speaking, he garnered the support of remaining members Vollelunga and Oliver, and the band pushed forward, opting to use fill-in temporary drummers for live performances moving forward.[1][4] The members saw this as a new beginning for the band, and later even removed all their previous recordings from any sort of retail space, feeling it no longer represented the band.[3][4][10]

In 2009, the band released their first album with Hawkins as the lead vocalist, The Few Not Fleeting.[2] Hawkins largely drew from the aforementioned personal issues for lyrical material on the album, and it largely being created by the core trio, the band was able to delve farther into their preferred music stylings, which the band described as more in the progressive rock, alternative rock, and hard rock veins than prior releases.[4] The album recorded in Hawkins' home studio, allowing the band to not be constrained money or time restraints in the studio, which in turn improved the release's overall sound quality as well.[4] The band toured in support of the album for two years.[11] While Hawkins performed drums on the album,[10] the band recruited a new drummer, Devin Travieso, who toured in support of the album with the band.[12]

Mainstream breakthrough with Nothing More (2011–2015)

Nothing More performing in 2014

After the two years of touring in support of The Few Not Fleeting, the band turned to working on recording new music in 2011.[11] Still unable to secure a contract from a record label, the band decided to work independently again.[3] Despite this, they set their goal to make a record that sounded as good as a major label release, but on an independent budget.[3] The band recruited new permanent drummer, Paul O'Brien, who reached out to the band after his prior band, Pandemic, broke up.[1] Nothing More members, who were familiar with his work with Pandemic, knew he would be a good fit, and hired him after a successful audition.[10] The four proceeded to move in to a house together and worked on the album for three years, writing about the cumulative five years in between the prior and then upcoming album, where they faced many personal hardships they had lived through during the recording process.[1][13][11][10] Feeling financial hardships during the time, the band raised money through a successful Kickstarter campaign.[13] The band had written 60 song ideas, and spent an entire year filtering through the song ideas into 20 songs, and then down to the 17 found on the album's final track list.[13]

The band finished the album, titled it Nothing More, released it independently in June 2013, and then began touring in support of the album.[14][9] Their big break occurred in September at the 2013 Aftershock Festival.[15] After a successful show on the first day of the festival, they were asked to come back and perform on the second day, to replace a bigger-named band at one of the show's larger stages.[3] The shows exposed them to a much larger crowd than they usually played - between 10,000 and 13,000 audience members - and after a successful second show, the band finally began getting a number of record label offers.[3] In March 2014, the band decided to sign a contract with Eleven Seven Music, not only ending their long-term search for record label support, but securing a five-album deal.[16] Nothing More was then given a much wider release by the label on June 4, 2014.[17] This time, the album charted, debuting at number 33 on the Billboard 200 and selling 8,600 copies in its opening week.[18]

The band also found much success at rock radio from the releases, with multiple singles charting from the album. The lead single, "This is the Time (Ballast)", hit number 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart.[14] It also peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.[19] Follow-up singles also performed well on the Mainstream Rock chart, including "Mr. MTV", peaking at number 12, "Jenny", peaking at number 6, and "Here's to the Heartache", peaking at number 4.[19] The band toured extensively in support of the album, across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.[20] Notably, this included a tour with Chevelle prior to the album's release, an arena tour with Five Finger Death Punch, Hellyeah, and Volbeat in 2014,[21] a tour with Shinedown in 2015,[22] and the Monster Energy Outbreak tour with Marmozets in 2015.[23] However, by September 2015, O'Brien amicably chose to leave the band, with the extensive stadium touring being too stressful for him, causing him depression and anxiety.[24] He was replaced by Ben Anderson, who finished out the 2015 touring and became a permanent member of the band.[24]

Mainstream success with The Stories We Tell Ourselves (2016–present)

After extensive touring across 2014 and 2015, the band returned to writing and recording new material in early 2016.[25] By September 2016, the band had 17 fully developed songs, and were contemplating whether or not any songs should be trimmed from the final track listing.[26] The band took a break from recording at this point to tour with Disturbed and Chevelle throughout the end of the year, before returning to complete the recording of the album in early 2017.[27][28]

In June 2017, the band officially announced the title of their fifth studio album, The Stories We Tell Ourselves, and that it would be released on September 15, 2017.[29] The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 all-format album chart, selling approximately 20,000 copies in its first week.[30][31] Prior to the album's release, the band released its first single, "Go to War",[32] and a number of other promotional songs, including "Don't Stop"[28] and "Let 'Em Burn".[33] The band performed at the Alternative Press Music Awards and the Loudwire Music Awards in the latter half of 2017.[34][35] In November 2017, it was announced that the band was nominated for three Grammy Awards for the 2018 Grammy Awards; "Go to War" being nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song, and The Stories We Tell Ourselves for Best Rock Album.[36] In the same month, "Go to War" topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock song chart as well.[37]

The band is scheduled to tour heavily in support of the album in 2018, including a headlining North American tour in February and March,[38] and a North American tour with Papa Roach and Escape the Fate in April and May.[39] Just prior to the 2018 touring, the band released a music video for their second single, "Do You Really Want It?".[40] The CEO of the band's record label mentioned future plans of releasing "Just Say When" as a single as well,[41] which was later done in April 2018;[42] "Let 'Em Burn" later received a formal single release in December.[43] The band continued touring in support of the album into 2019 with a headlining North American tour.[44] The band was the opening act for the band Ghost in the fall of 2019.[45]

The ensemble announced plans to release a studio album in 2021.[46]

Musical style, influences and impact

The band has been described as alternative rock,[1][47] hard rock,[9][48][35][49] progressive rock,[47][48] progressive metal,[47][50] and heavy metal.[47] While not directly given the label, their music has been described as having a hardcore[50] and nu metal influence.[51] AllMusic has described the band's overall sound as "somewhere between System of a Down and Incubus",[47] while Team Rock described them as "Hard as fuck crunchy riffs with a slight metal edge all polished up with a fuck-ton of gleaming, radio-friendly production. Imagine if Nine Inch Nails colluded with Royal Blood and Biffy Clyro and you're sort of close."[52] Musically, Hawkins was influenced by the bands Tool and Rage Against the Machine, and the drumming of ex-Dream Theater member Mike Portnoy.[3] In a profile by The Guardian, their musical approach was outlined:

While the post-screamo landscape is awash with frontmen pinning broken hearts to their sleeve tattoos, there's a sophistication to Nothing More's angst that raises them above the tumult-tossed pit. Hawkins' lyrics essay familiar terrain – heartbreak, emotional disaffection – but the likes of 'Do You Really Want It?', with its sober hook 'Everybody wants to change the world / But no one ever wants to change themselves', and lacerating relationship tale 'Go to War' skilfully buck the genre's tendency to adolescent self-pity ... Their attack is ferocious – crashing-airliner riffage, dynamics that rephrase EDM's start-stop rhythms and quiet/loud sonics in metallic tones, and even a very "djent" instrumental detour ... But Nothing More leaven the melee with melody, often striking a balance between kinetic thrills and keening pop hooks with the skill of a Linkin Park.[53]

The band's lyrical content has been inspired by a wide variety of factors. Hawkin's personal life has been a large influence; the single "Jenny" is a song that was inspired by his aunt who struggles with schizophrenia and his sister Jenna who struggles with bipolar disorder.[54] The band used the song, and respective music video, to help raise awareness and money for mental illness.[55] "God Went North" is about the passing of his mother.[56] They have found inspiration from a wide variety of influential writers and philosophers as well, from Carl Jung to C.S. Lewis.[28] Hawkins explained that "Films have inspired a lot of our songwriting, obviously through the stories but also through how certain directors communicate emotions through visual media, and I think a lot of philosophers like Alan Watts for instance, who has been a big influence on our lyrics and how we view songwriting altogether which affects how we end up creating all of it."[57] Nothing More has also listed Eckhart Tolle, Stanley Kubrick, Terrence Malick, and Dustin Kensrue as their influences.[58]

Mike Wengren, the drummer of the band Disturbed, cited Nothing More as one of his favorite newer hard rock bands, citing them as one of the examples against the "rock music is dead" argument.[27]

Live performances

The band is known for its elaborate and energetic live performances, with it being likened to "some sort of twisted, rock 'n roll adaptation of Blue Man Group — if Blue Man Group ever opened for Rage Against the Machine."[1] The band has set up two separate drum sets for their live show, one for the band's primary drummer, and one for Hawkins to join in on intermittently, who had previously been a drummer himself in the early years of the band.[59] The performances also include a number of contraptions created by the bands themselves, including "The Scorpion Tail" in 2016, an animated structure created out of scrap metal and salvaged auto parts, weighing 400 pounds and measuring 14 feet tall.[40] Hawkins rides the structure, while also using it to create digital electronic effects for the songs as well.[40] Its design is based on the "Drumtron"/"Bassinator" contraption the band has used prior, which also allowed the band to perform 3 person bass solos by Hawkins, Vollelunga, and Oliver.[40][60]

Members

  • Nothing More, live at With Full Force 2018
  • Singer Jonny Hawkins
    Singer Jonny Hawkins
  • Guitarist Mark Vollelunga
    Guitarist Mark Vollelunga
  • Bassist Daniel Oliver
    Bassist Daniel Oliver
  • Drummer Ben Anderson
    Drummer Ben Anderson

Current

  • Jonny Hawkins – lead vocals (2008–present), drums (2003–2009)
  • Mark Vollelunga – guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
  • Daniel Oliver – bass guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
  • Ben Anderson – drums, percussion (2015–present)

Former

  • Josh Klaus – lead vocals (2003-2004)
  • Josh Kercheville – guitar (2003-2008)
  • Matt Reynolds – bass (2003-2004)
  • Travis Cox – lead vocals (2005-2006)
  • Trey Graham – lead vocals (2006-2007)
  • Devin Travieso – drums (2009-2011)
  • Paul O'Brien – drums (2011-2015)

Timeline

Awards and nominations

Nothing More has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Discography

Main article: Nothing More discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Interview With Jonny Hawkins Of Nothing More | LA Music Blog". lamusicblog.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Nothing More, 2017 Loudwire Music Awards Performer". Loudwire Music Awards. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Shumate, Neal. "Nothing More Vocalist/percussionist Jonny Hawkins Discusses Striving as an Independent Band by Turning Negative Letdowns and Personal Struggles into Positive Fuel before Being Signed, Religious Background, Breaking Rules in Songwriting, Musical Influences, Future Goals". Out Of The Blue. OOTB Publications. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Nothing More Interview". Independentclauses.com. 2009-02-21. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  5. ^ Shelter (Booklet). Nothing More. Nothing More. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Madhatter's Bliss (Booklet). Nothing More. Nothing More. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ "Madhatter's Bliss - Nothing More - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Vandura - Nothing More - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d "Nothing More: Texas Rockers Persevere With Hit Single 'This Is The Time (Ballast)'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d "INTERVIEW: NOTHING MORE". Rockrevoltmagazine.com. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "Nothing More: An Interview with Guitarist Mark Vollelunga - New Noise Magazine". Newnoisemagazine.com. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  12. ^ Martin, Jeremy. "Nothing More". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  13. ^ a b c "5 Questions With Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins + Daniel Oliver". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  14. ^ a b Chan, Lorne. "Saturday Nothing More at Sam's Burger Joint". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  15. ^ "Live Photos: We As Human, Nothing More and Otherwise at Aftershock Festival!". Distortionmag.com. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Nothing More Unleash Single 'This Is the Time (Ballast)'". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  17. ^ James Christopher Monger (2014-06-23). "Nothing More - Nothing More | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ a b "Nothing More Shares 'Let 'Em Burn' Lyric Video: Exclusive". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins on Fans, Upcoming Album + More". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins Talks Album Themes + More". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  22. ^ "Shinedown and Nothing More Rock New York's Beacon Theatre". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  23. ^ "Nothing More + Marmozets Lead Monster Energy Outbreak Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Nothing More Parts Ways with Drummer Paul O'Brien". 97.9 WGRD. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  25. ^ "10 minutes with Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More". Axs.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  26. ^ "Nothing More have 17 new songs written". Teamrock.com. September 23, 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  27. ^ a b "DISTURBED Drummer: Hard Rock And Heavy Metal Scene Is 'Thriving Right Now'". blabbermouth.net. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  28. ^ a b c "Video Premiere: NOTHING MORE's 'Don't Stop' Feat. PAPA ROACH's JACOBY SHADDIX". blabbermouth.net. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  29. ^ "NOTHING MORE Announces 'The Stories We Tell Ourselves' U.S. Tour; BLABBERMOUTH.NET Presale Available". blabbermouth.net. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Foo Fighters' "Concrete And Gold" Wins US Album Sales Race, Takes #1 On Billboard 200 (Updated)". Headlineplanet.com. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Foo Fighters Heading for No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart With 'Concrete and Gold'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  32. ^ "NOTHING MORE Unveils New Single, 'Go To War'". blabbermouth.net. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  33. ^ "Listen To New NOTHING MORE Song 'Let 'Em Burn'". blabbermouth.net. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  34. ^ "Watch Nothing More perform at the 2017 APMAs - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Nothing More Drop Energetic 'Don't Stop' Video Featuring Jacoby Shaddix". Loudwire. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  36. ^ Variety Staff (28 November 2017). "Grammy Nominations 2018: Complete List". variety.com. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  37. ^ "Nothing More Scores First Billboard Chart-Topper With 'Go to War'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  38. ^ "NOTHING MORE Extends U.S. Tour; BLABBERMOUTH.NET Presale Available". blabbermouth.net. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  39. ^ "PAPA ROACH Announces North American Tour With NOTHING MORE, ESCAPE THE FATE". Blabbermouth.net. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  40. ^ a b c d "Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins on Grammy Nods: 'We're Standing on the Shoulders of Giants'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  41. ^ ""Their work ethic will make them one of the biggest bands in the world": How Nothing More scooped three Grammy nominations". Musicweek.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  42. ^ "Nothing More Unveil New Video, Just Say When — Kerrang!". Kerrang!.
  43. ^ Munro, Scott (December 5, 2018). "Nothing More tackle the horror of mass shootings in Let 'Em Burn video". LouderSound. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  44. ^ "Nothing More announce 2019 US "Truth Tour" with Of Mice & Men, Badflower and Palisades". Consequenceofsound.net. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  45. ^ "GHOST Announces Fall 2019 North American Tour With NOTHING MORE". Blabbermouth. April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  46. ^ https://www.facebook.com/nothingmore/videos/134779975119887
  47. ^ a b c d e "Nothing More - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  48. ^ a b "Nothing More - Nothing More - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  49. ^ "Nothing More Announce Spring 2017 Headline Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  50. ^ a b "Album review: 'The Stories We Tell Ourselves' by Nothing More". Axs.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  51. ^ "Nothing More's 'The Stories We Tell Ourselves' has more hooks, more layers, more feeling - Reviews - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  52. ^ "Who the f**k are ... Nothing More?". Teamrock.com. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  53. ^ Chick, Stevie (7 December 2017). "Nothing More review – muscular melodies and bare-chested bravado". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  54. ^ "Exclusive: Nothing More Premieres Highly Personal 'Jenny' Video". billboard.com. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  55. ^ "Nothing More Spotlight Mental Illness Awareness in 'Jenny' Clip". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  56. ^ > "Mark & Dan of Nothing More Interview - University Pulse". universitypulse.com. Archived from > the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  57. ^ "Nothing More and yet so many things to say - RADIO METAL". RADIO METAL. Archived from the original on 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  58. ^ "Nothing More May Band of the Month The HUB". The HUB from Musician's Friend. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  59. ^ "Nothing More Bring Energy-Packed Show to Los Angeles". Loudwire. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  60. ^ "Jonny Hawkins Discusses New Stage Piece, 'The Scorpion Tail'". Kfmx.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  61. ^ a b c Amatulli, Jenna (28 November 2017). "Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar Dominate The 2018 Grammy Nominations". Huff Post. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
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