Nothingface

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For the albums, see Nothingface (Nothingface album) and Nothingface (Voivod album).
Nothingface
Nothingface.jpg
Nothingface - 2000
Background information
Origin Washington D.C., United States
Genres Alternative metal
Years active 1994–2004, 2005–2009
Labels DCide, TVT, S6
Associated acts Hellyeah, Knives Out!, In for the Kill..., Kingdom of Snakes, Perfect Enemy, Coldwhitechrist, Blessed In Black (formerly Sever)
Website www.nothingface.com (Currently suspended)
Members Matt Holt
Tom Maxwell
Bill Gaal
Chris Houck
Past members David Gabbard
Tommy Sickles
Jerry Montano

Nothingface was a four-piece metal band from Washington, D.C. that formed in 1994. Noted[citation needed]for having graphic lyrics, polyrhythmic songs, and occasionally touching on political themes in their later works, the band achieved moderate success, as evidenced by their 2001 single "Bleeder" peaking at number 32 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Chart and touring with high-profile acts such as Soulfly, Pantera, and Ministry, as well as the Tattoo the Earth and Ozzfest 2003 tours.

History[edit]

Formation and first four albums[edit]

Formed in 1994,[1] the band's original line-up consisted of vocalist David Gabbard, guitarist Tom Maxwell, bassist Bill Gaal and drummer Chris Houck. They released three tapes with this lineup, until Gabbard left the band. At this point Matt Holt took over singing duties. The band then recorded a self-titled album featuring ten songs. DCide then discovered Nothingface, and they re-recorded the album, with six of the songs featuring on their debut album Pacifier, released February 6, 1997.[2]

The band's second album An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity was released on September 22, 1998 via Mayhem Records.[3] The band toured in support of the album throughout the United States with Stuck Mojo,[1] Sam Black Church and Ministry.[1]

Two years later, the band released their third album Violence on October 10, 2000.[4] It featured a single called "Bleeder" which peaked at number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[5] The album also peaked at 24 on the Heatseekers Chart and 37 on the Top Independent Chart.[5] It was the band's biggest album, released via TVT Records. Chris Houck recorded drums for this album but had to leave the group due to medical issues that would prevent him from touring.[1] He was replaced by Tommy Sickles[1] of Ingredient 17 fame (Matt and Tommy's band before Nothingface).

In early 2001, Bill Gaal left the group to pursue a career in music production and engineering. He was replaced by Jerry Montano, formerly of The Deadlights. A few months later, Gaal returned.

The band released their fourth album Skeletons on April 22, 2003 via TVT Records.[6] That summer, the band played on the second-stage of the popular Ozzfest tour.

The group disbanded on February 10, 2004.[7][8] Bill Gaal went on to form Kingdom of Snakes with former members of the band Gunfighter. Their debut EP features vocal work from Matt Holt on one track. In early 2004, Gaal and Holt announced the formation of a new band called Perfect Enemy, while Tom Maxwell and Tommy Sickles announced the formation of Coldwhitechrist with Jerry Montano and Chad Gray of Mudvayne, whose tenure was short-lived due to prior commitments.[9] The trio later announced the formation of Sever, which later became Blessed in Black and also included ex-Skrape vocalist Billy Keeton.[10] Keeton eventually left in late 2005[11] and the band dissolved.

Reformation and second break up[edit]

On November 24, 2005, a posting on the Jägermeister website showed Nothingface as the opening act for Disturbed in a 2006 show.[12] The line-up for this show was Matt Holt, Tom Maxwell, Jerry Montano and Tommy Sickles. The band released two new songs online and went on to do a small U.S. club tour that winter/spring, bringing along Crossbreed and Silent Civilian.[13][14]

Later that year, guitarist Tom Maxwell and bassist Jerry Montano began a project entitled Hellyeah with Vinnie Paul, formerly of Pantera and Damageplan, as well as Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett of Mudvayne. They released their debut album on April 10, 2007 via Epic Records. Following its release, Jerry Montano was fired from the band after allegedly assaulting Tom Maxwell and making gun threats while drunk at the album release party.[15]

During the first half of April 2008, the band sent out a Myspace bulletin and changed their default profile picture to one of the band in the studio, signaling that they were indeed working on new material. On the 20th of May, they posted a short YouTube clip which features them performing and sent out a Myspace bulletin containing said clip. Four days later, on May 24, it was announced through Blabbermouth.net that original members Bill Gaal and Chris Houck have rejoined Nothingface, with Tommy Sickles now playing drums for the L.A.-based band Noise Within. The band then released several additional "teaser" videos and on February 19, 2009, announced that "the band is at Wrightway Studios in Baltimore MD for the next 2 weeks writing and recording."[16]

The re-release of their self-titled album with remastered songs and new artwork was released on April 8, 2009.[17]

On August 14, 2009, it was announced via Blabbermouth.net that Nothingface would be disbanding,[18] with Maxwell citing Holt's lack of work ethic as the main reason for an unfinished album three years in the making, as well as his decision to leave. Houck would later state that this is "only one side of the story" and that "there were a lot of other factors involved in all of this beyond anything with (Holt)."[19] In a summer 2011 interview, Bill Gaal spoke publicly about the split, stating, "It’s one of those situations where everyone’s story will be different. Broadly, what it boiled down to is that we’re all older now, we all have different responsibilities. Making everything line up time-wise is difficult– I’m in LA, Chris is out in North Carolina, Tom’s out on tour with Hellyeah most of the year, Matt stays home in Baltimore now. And me and Tom have families now, too. You don’t just get together and write a great song, especially with Nothingface. It takes a chunk of time, and we’d always rework songs hundreds of times before releasing them. We only had a couple of intense, 1- or 2-week writing sessions and really, we just ran out of time. We had to get a lot done in a short amount time before we had to get back to other things we had going on. So the timing didn’t work out, but that being said, it doesn’t rule out anything for the future. As pissed-off as Nothingface was back in the day, we’ve definitely all cooled down, and if we could just find one week where all of us were just calm enough and got together, we could do it."[20]

On September 1, 2009, the band released "One Thousand Lies" on their official website. It is a rough "first draft" demo and was recorded in March 2008. On November 13, 2009 the band uploaded "D2" which is another rough "first draft" demo with no vocals.

In early 2011, the band launched their brand new website Nothingface.com. Videos linked to YouTube are present so is a Nothingface wiki, forum, guest book, photo gallery and a section for fans to upload their own videos of Nothingface music. Links to other bands are present also. The website has since been suspended for unknown reasons.[21]

Musical style and influences[edit]

Nothingface's style has mainly been described as alternative metal.[4][7][22][23][24][25] The band's first album in 1997, featured a sound that was compared to nu metal band Korn.[2] Some critics described it as a "Korn clone".[3] Although with their second album An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity, they abandoned that sound and featured the heavy metal and alternative metal sound they became known for, continuing on their next releases.[3][4] Many critics deny that Nothingface is a nu metal band due to their use of guitar solos and absence of elements from hip-hop and other characteristics featured in nu metal.[4][26][27] The band's sound consists of aggressive heavy metal guitar riffs, growled vocals deriving from death metal or grindcore, shouting and melodic grunge influenced vocals.[4][6] Singer Matt Holt's more melodic vocals have been compared to Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.[4][6] Critics have praised Holt's singing style for being able to mix harshness with accessibility.[4][6] Nothingface are influenced by bands such as Jane's Addiction, Slayer and Ministry.[28]

Members[edit]

Final Line-up
  • Matt Holt – vocals (1995–2004, 2005–2009)
  • Tom Maxwell – guitar (1994–2004, 2005–2009)
  • Bill Gaal – bass (1994–2001, 2001–2004, 2008–2009)
  • Chris Houck – drums (1994–2000, 2008–2009)
Former
  • David Gabbard – vocals (1994–1995)
  • Jerry Montano – bass (2001, 2005–2007)
  • Tommy Sickles – drums (2000–2004, 2005–2007)

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Date of Release Title Label
1994 Nothingface Demos Self-Released
1995 Nothingface Self-Released
February 6, 1997 Pacifier DCide
September 22, 1998 An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity DCide/Mayhem
September 5, 2000 Violence TVT Records
April 22, 2003 Skeletons TVT Records
April 8, 2009 Nothingface (Remastered) SICK6 Records / Play The Assassin

Singles[edit]

Year Song US Hot 100 U.S. Modern Rock U.S. Mainstream Rock Album
1997 "Pacifier" - - - Pacifier
1997 "One Thing" - - - Pacifier
1997 "Defaced" - - - Pacifier
1998 "Breathe Out" - - - An Audio Guide To Everyday Atrocity
1998 "The Sick" - - - An Audio Guide To Everyday Atrocity
2001 "Bleeder" - - 32 Violence
2003 "Ether" - - - Skeletons

Music Videos[edit]

  • "Pacifier"
  • "Defaced"
  • "Breathe Out"
  • "Ether"

Other appearances[edit]

Unreleased songs[edit]

With David Gabbard[edit]

Year Song Length Album
1994 "On the Edge" 3:11 Braid
1994 "Prayer" 5:42 Braid
1994 "Confusion (Ultra Sane)" 6:04 Braid
1994 "Damage" 3:04 Braid
1994 "Fast as Fuck" 4:16 Braid
1994 "Circle" 3:20 Braid
1994 "Mommi" 5:08 Thicker
1994 "Insane" 3:32 Thicker
1994 "Mrs. Greedy" 4:42 Thicker
1994 "Instant G" 3:05 Thicker
1994 "Dry" 4:01 Thicker
1994 "Blood" 4:50 Thicker
1994 "On The Edge (newer version)" 3:11 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Instant G (newer version)" 3:16 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Mommi (newer version)" 5:24 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Evil Man" 4:35 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Hate You" 4:21 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Piss" 4:00 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Circle (newer version)" 3:20 The Architect of So Much Evil
1994 "Grave" 3:49 The Architect of So Much Evil

With Matt Holt[edit]

Year Song Length Album
1996 "Carousel" 4:04 1995 Self-titled album
1996 "Deprive" 3:14 1995 Self-titled album
1996 "Godkill" 4:07 1995 Self-titled album
1996 "Severed" 4:56 1995 Self-titled album
1997 "3 Rooms" 2:55 Audio Guide Demo
1997 "Peeling Skynard" N/A Audio Guide Demo
1999 "How Long" 4:26 Violence Demo
2001 "Everything I Hate" 3:58 Skeletons Demo
2002 "The Principles of Gangsterism" 3:14 Skeletons Demo
2002 "In the Wake Of" 5:11 Skeletons Demo
2005 "Walking on Bodies" 3:38 Demo 2005
2005 "Let It Burn" 2:44 Demo 2005
2008 "One Thousand Lies" 4:16 2008 Demos
2008 "The End" 1:25 2008 Demos
2008 "D2" 3:07 2008 Demos

Notes[edit]

Most of these songs have been leaked and can be found online, and recently Nothingface started releasing demos on their website, a studio recording of "3 Rooms" was released on May 26. The track "Everything I Hate" was released on December 4, 2009 on the official website under the name "Hate Song Demo." "Peeling Sky-nard" was a song that got cut from "An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity," and it is unknown if it will ever be released to the public.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Graham Finney. "Nothingface Interview". Planet-Loud. Archived from the original on 2002-03-18. Retrieved 2012-02-08. 
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Jason D. (1997-02-06). "Pacifier - Nothingface : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  3. ^ a b c Taylor, Jason D. (1998-09-22). "An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity - Nothingface : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Henderson, Alex (2000-09-05). "Violence - Nothingface : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  5. ^ a b "Violence - Nothingface : Awards". AllMusic. 2000-09-05. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  6. ^ a b c d Henderson, Alex (2003-04-22). "Skeletons - Nothingface : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  7. ^ a b Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Zonda Books. p. 64. ISBN 0-9582684-0-1. 
  8. ^ "NOTHINGFACE Split Up, Bandmembers Launch New Project". Blabbermouth.Net. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  9. ^ Gaal and Holt formed the band Perfect Enemy
  10. ^ "BLESSED IN BLACK: Former NOTHINGFACE, SKRAPE Members To Enter Studio In June". Blabbermouth.Net. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  11. ^ "BLESSED IN BLACK Confirm Singer's Departure". Blabbermouth.Net. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  12. ^ "News: Nothingface reunited with most of standard line-up intact - Blacker than Danzig's asshole!". Metalrage.com. 2005-11-24. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  13. ^ "SILENT CIVILIAN Frontman: 'NOTHINGFACE Has Treated Us Like Family'". Blabbermouth.Net. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  14. ^ "Online Music Magazine". defyUnlearn.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  15. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Departed HELLYEAH Bassist Made Gun Threat". The Metal Den. 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  16. ^ 7:48 PM. "Nothingface Enters The Studio, Posts Video Footage - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  17. ^ "Nothingface [Explicit]: Nothingface: Official Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  18. ^ "Nothingface call it quits....again". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
  19. ^ "Nothingface: March 2008 Demo Recording Available For Free Download". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2009-09-02. 
  20. ^ "Bill Gaal Interview". The Silver Tongue. Retrieved 2011-08-30. 
  21. ^ http://www.nothingface.com/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi
  22. ^ Metal to the core: Ozzy revs up this year's tour with an early stop in Dallas "NOTHINGFACE - Alternative metal band from DC. Fun fact: named after Voivod's '89 major label debut" Dallas Morning News. Jun 27, 2003. Retrieved 2013-03-19. (subscription required)
  23. ^ Heavy metal at House of Blues Doug Elfman. April 17, 2001. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  24. ^ "MusicMight :: Artists :: NOTHINGFACE". Rockdetector.com. 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  25. ^ "Allmusic". 
  26. ^ "Review: Nothingface - "Violence"". Blistering.com. 2007-11-22. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  27. ^ "Nothingface - Violence Review from". Music Emissions. 2003-04-02. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 
  28. ^ Nothingface. "Nothingface - Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-19. 

External links[edit]

Nothingface
Studio albums
Related bands
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