Nothingface
Encyclopedia
Nothingface was a four-piece metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...

 band from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....

 noted for having graphic lyrics and occasionally using political themes in their later works, as well as polyrhythmic songs.

First Run

Formed in 1994, 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
Matt Holt
Matt Holt is the former vocalist of Nothingface, and Kingdom of Snakes. His vocals include a wide range of very guttural and distinctive growls to ethereal melodies and even the occasional rap-style vocals on early songs like "Lipsdick" and "Breathe Out"...

 took over singing duties. The band then recorded a self-titled album
Nothingface (nothingface album)
Nothingface is the independent release by Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was originally released in 1995, but has been re-issued as a digital download on April 30, 2009 and as a limited edition vinyl Nothingface is the independent release by Washington,...

 featuring ten songs. DCide
DCide
DCide is a privately held, DC based independent record label. The label was started in summer of 1995 by founding partners Jeffrey B. Clyburn, Burton Gray and Mark Thorp. Their first act Nothingface sold over 500,000 records worldwide and is widely recognized as one of the standard-bearers for the...

 then discovered Nothingface, and they re-recorded the album, with six of the songs featuring on their debut album Pacifier
Pacifier (Nothingface album)
Pacifier is the debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released on February 6, 1997 via DCide Records. The album was re-released on August 11, 1998 via DCide/Mayhem Records....

, released February 6, 1997.

The band's second album An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity is the second album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released on September 22, 1998, via DCide/Mayhem Records.-Track listing:# "Goldtooth" – 4:21...

was released on September 22, 1998 via DCide/Mayhem Records. The band toured in support of the album throughout the United States with Stuck Mojo
Stuck Mojo
Stuck Mojo is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1989 by guitarist Rich Ward, Stuck Mojo is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal. Touring alongside bands such as Machine Head and Slapshot. Stuck Mojo's most successful album, Rising, peaked at #48 on the...

, Sam Black Church
Sam Black Church (band)
Sam Black Church was a Boston hardcore band that played from 1988 - 2000. It was named after the West Virginia community of Sam Black Church.- History :Sam Black Church were known for their energetic live performances...

 and Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...

.

Two years later, the band released their third album Violence
Violence (album)
-Credits:* Matt Holt – vocals* Tom Maxwell – guitar* Bill Gaal – bass* Chris Houck – drums...

on October 10, 2000. It was the band's national debut, released via TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...

. Chris Houck recorded drums for this album but had to leave the group due to medical issues that would prevent him from touring. He was replaced by Tommy Sickles 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
The Deadlights
The Deadlights were a short lived Alternative metal/Nu Metal band out of Long Beach, California. The band's most notable achievement was playing the second stage at Ozzfest 2000.The band released one self-titled album on February 22, 2000...

. A few months later, Gaal returned.

The band released their fourth album Skeletons on April 22, 2003 via TVT Records. That summer, the band played on the second-stage of the popular Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...

 tour.

The group disbanded on February 10, 2004, citing musical differences, inner turmoil, and label troubles. Bill Gaal went on to form Kingdom of Snakes
Kingdom of Snakes
Kingdom of Snakes is a band formed in spring 2004 from members of Nothingface and Molly McGuire In spring 2004, the band went into Henson Studios to record a five-song EP with producer Bill Kennedy...

 with former members of the band Gunfighter. Their debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...

 features vocal work from Matt Holt on one track. Tom Maxwell and Tommy Sickles were in the band Blessed in Black featuring ex-Skrape
Skrape
Skrape was an American nu metal band.Formed in the late 1990's, under the name "Jojo" until later renaming to "Skrape." They would release two albums through RCA Records. Their 2001 debut New Killer America spawned two singles in "Waste" and "Isolated"...

 vocalist Billy Keeton, as well as Jerry Montano on bass.

Second Run

On November 24, 2005, a posting on the Jägermeister
Jägermeister
Jägermeister is a German 70-proof digestif made with 56 different herbs and spices. It is the flagship product of Mast-Jägermeister SE, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, south of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany.- History :...

 website showed Nothingface as the opening act for Disturbed in a 2006 show. 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
Crossbreed (band)
Crossbreed was a six member industrial metal band from Clearwater, Florida, formed in 1996. They were signed with Artemis Records before being dropped from the label in 2003.-Early years:...

 and Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian is a metalcore band originating from Los Angeles, California. Following his departure from nu metal band Spineshank in 2004, frontman Jonny Santos felt he wanted to move in a different direction musically and start from scratch...

.

Later that year, guitarist Tom Maxwell and bassist Jerry Montano began a project entitled Hellyeah
Hellyeah
Hellyeah is an American heavy metal supergroup, consisting of Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett, Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, Damageplan bassist Bob Zilla, and former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul. The idea to form a supergroup originated in 2001 on the...

 with Vinnie Paul
Vinnie Paul
Vincent Paul Abbott, also known as "Vinnie Paul" is a heavy metal drummer and producer who is currently a member of supergroup Hellyeah, but is best known for being a member, and co-founder, of the heavy metal band Pantera...

, formerly of Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...

 and Damageplan
Damageplan
Damageplan was an American heavy metal supergroup from Dallas, Texas that formed in 2003. Following the demise of their previous group Pantera, brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott wanted to start a new band. The pair recruited former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals, and later...

, as well as Chad Gray
Chad Gray
Chad Gray , is the lead vocalist for the American heavy metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah.-Personal life:Gray is the son of Dan and Mitzi Gray of Edgewater, Florida...

 and Greg Tribbett
Greg Tribbett
Greg Tribbett is the guitarist and backing vocalist for American band Mudvayne, and supergroup Hellyeah. He has been with Mudvayne since their inception in 1996. He has named Randy Rhoads as the guitarist who most influenced him. He plays Gibson V's, Gibson Les Pauls, Ibanez S-series, Ibanez...

 of Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...

. They released their debut album on April 10, 2007 via Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...

. Following its release, Montano was fired from the band after allegedly assaulting HellYeah producer/engineer Sterling Winfield and making gun threats while drunk at the album release party.

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." http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=42445

The re-release of their self-titled album with remastered songs and new artwork was released on April 8, 2009.http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0026TJ3BK/amazon-tag-20

On August 14, 2009, it was announced via Blabbermouth.net that Nothingface would be disbanding, 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)." 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."

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.

Members

Final Line-up
  • Matt Holt
    Matt Holt
    Matt Holt is the former vocalist of Nothingface, and Kingdom of Snakes. His vocals include a wide range of very guttural and distinctive growls to ethereal melodies and even the occasional rap-style vocals on early songs like "Lipsdick" and "Breathe Out"...

     – vocals (1995–2004, 2005–2009)
  • Tom Maxwell
    Tom Maxwell
    Tom Maxwell is a modern metal/rock guitarist in the bands Knives Out! and Hellyeah. Previous bands include Nothingface in which he was a founding member and main song-writer with Bill Gaal. After Nothingface he was involved in a band with Skrape vocalist Billy Keeton. In the 1980s he was in thrash...

     – 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)

Albums

Date of Release Title Label
1994 Nothingface Demos Self-Released
1995 Nothingface
Nothingface (nothingface album)
Nothingface is the independent release by Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was originally released in 1995, but has been re-issued as a digital download on April 30, 2009 and as a limited edition vinyl Nothingface is the independent release by Washington,...

Self-Released
February 6, 1997 Pacifier
Pacifier (Nothingface album)
Pacifier is the debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released on February 6, 1997 via DCide Records. The album was re-released on August 11, 1998 via DCide/Mayhem Records....

DCide
DCide
DCide is a privately held, DC based independent record label. The label was started in summer of 1995 by founding partners Jeffrey B. Clyburn, Burton Gray and Mark Thorp. Their first act Nothingface sold over 500,000 records worldwide and is widely recognized as one of the standard-bearers for the...

September 2, 1998 An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity is the second album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released on September 22, 1998, via DCide/Mayhem Records.-Track listing:# "Goldtooth" – 4:21...

DCide
DCide
DCide is a privately held, DC based independent record label. The label was started in summer of 1995 by founding partners Jeffrey B. Clyburn, Burton Gray and Mark Thorp. Their first act Nothingface sold over 500,000 records worldwide and is widely recognized as one of the standard-bearers for the...

/Mayhem
September 5, 2000 Violence
Violence (album)
-Credits:* Matt Holt – vocals* Tom Maxwell – guitar* Bill Gaal – bass* Chris Houck – drums...

TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...

April 22, 2003 Skeletons TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...

April 8, 2009 Nothingface (Remastered)
Nothingface (nothingface album)
Nothingface is the independent release by Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was originally released in 1995, but has been re-issued as a digital download on April 30, 2009 and as a limited edition vinyl Nothingface is the independent release by Washington,...

SICK6 Records / Play The Assassin

Singles

Year Song US Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

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

Other appearances

  • "Ether" was featured on the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack
    Freddy vs. Jason (soundtrack)
    Freddy vs. Jason is the soundtrack to the 2003 film Freddy vs. Jason. It was released on August 12, 2003 on Roadrunner Records. The album features twenty tracks, including fourteen of them being previously unreleased by the band, which makes the soundtrack most notable.-Track listing:† Indicates...

    .
  • "Down In Flames" was featured on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
    The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003 film)
    The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 2003 remake of the 1974 horror film of the same name. The 2003 film was directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay...

     soundtrack.
  • "Bleeder" was featured on the 3000 Miles to Graceland
    3000 Miles to Graceland
    3000 Miles to Graceland is a 2001 American crime film, starring Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Bokeem Woodbine, Christian Slater, and Kevin Pollak. It is a story of theft and betrayal, revolving around a plot to rob the Riviera Casino during a convention of Elvis...

    soundtrack.

With David Gabbard

Year Song Length Format
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

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

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK