Nothingface

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Nothingface
Nothingface, 2000
Background information
Origin	Washington D.C., United States
Genres	Alternative metal[1] Heavy metal[1]
Years active	1994 – 2004 2005 – 2009
Labels	DCide, TVT Records
Associated acts	Hellyeah Knives Out! In For The Kill... Kingdom of Snakes
Website	MySpace Music site
Members
Matt Holt Tom Maxwell Bill Gaal Chris Houck
Former members
David Gabbard Tommy Sickles Jerry Montano

Nothingface was a four-piece metal^[1] band from Washington, D.C. noted for having graphic lyrics and occasionally using political themes in their later works, as well as polyrhythmic songs.

History

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 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.

The band's second album An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity 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 and Sam Black Church.

Two years later, the band released their third album Violence on October 10, 2000. It was the band's national debut, 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. 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. 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 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 with former members of the band Gunfighter. Their debut EP features vocal work from Matt Holt on one track. Tom Maxwell and Tommy Sickles were in the band Blessed in Black featuring ex-Skrape vocalist Billy Keeton, as well as Jerry Montano on bass.

Second Run

On November 24, 2005, a posting on the Jägermeister 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 and Silent Civilian.

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, Montano was fired from the band after allegedy assaulting HellYeah producer/engineer Sterling Winfield and making gun threats while drunk at the album release party.^{[citation needed]}

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." [1]

The re-release of their self-titled album with remastered songs and new artwork was released on April 8, 2009.[2]

On August 14, 2009, it was announced via Blabbermouth.net that Nothingface would be disbanding ^[2], 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)."^[3]

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. The band is still regularly uploading demos of their old tracks on Nothingfacearmy.com

Members

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

Albums

Singles

Music Videos

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

Other appearances

• "Ether" was featured on the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack.
• "Down In Flames" was featured on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre soundtrack.
• "Bleeder" was featured on the 3000 Miles to Graceland soundtrack.

Unreleased songs

With David Gabbard

With Matt Holt

Notes

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" remains unheard and was only played a couple of times in 2001. However, there is a live recording and a studio recording of the song, all of which are currently being withheld from the public. It is unknown if these will be released anytime soon. "Peeling Skynard" was a song that got cut from "An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity."

References

External links

• Official Website
• Nothingface at MySpace
• Nothingface at Allmusic
• Nothingface at SodaHead
• Fansite with live recordings
• Anne Carlini's interview of Matt Holt
• Live-Metal.net's interview of Matt Holt
• Gibson's interview of Tom Maxwell
• Kaffeine Buzz: interview of Tommy Sickles
• The Underground Scene: interview of Bill Gaal
• Blabbermouth story about Bill Gaal