Nothingface - Biography
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Biography
The band started when Chris Houck put an ad out in a local magazine called Rox Magazine in Baltimore. Tom Maxwell, who was living in Baltimore at the time, contacted Chris about the ad, and said he was interested in getting together and jamming. Tom sent a tape with music that he had been working on. Chris, who was living with Bill Gaal at the time in Damascus, Maryland, got the tape and they were both blown away by what Tom had sent. From there they got together and jammed on a bunch of covers of Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Jane's Addiction...and the three just clicked. Tom had a bunch of songs that he had been working on from his original demo tape and they started reworking some of that stuff and started writing some new stuff as well. Some of that stuff ended up on the first demo they did with Dave called Braid.
Matt Holt became a part of the band as a result of Ingredient 17 (Matt and Tommy Sickles' band) had been recording at Chris and Bill's house in Damascus. By this time Dave wasn't playing in the band anymore and Bill, Tom and Chris had been writing much heavier stuff. Tom heard the stuff Matt had been doing with Ingredient 17 and thought Matt would be a good match to replace Dave. Tom really got behind the idea and the guys setup some time for Matt to do some demoing on what would end up being Perfect Person. When Matt did the demo they knew they'd found the right guy. They continued to keep going with Matt as the lead singer, and in 1995 they released their self-titled release.
In 1997, Nothingface released their debut album, Pacifier, on DCide Records. The record had a raw energy and carved a niche for itself during the alternative metal era of the 1990s. Alongside contemporaries such as Korn, Deftones, and Sevendust, Nothingface made a fairly significant splash in the American metal scene. The band developed a cult following based on its energetic live shows and non stop touring schedule.
The following year in 1998, the band released its second album, An Audio Guide To Everyday Atrocity. This release saw the band changing its musical direction, with a heavier, groove-orientated sound. Unlike its predecessor, An Audio Guide was more akin to Pantera and Prong than Korn or Limp Bizkit. Songs such as "Breathe Out", "Villians", and "The Sick" became instant fan favorites and staples on the band's set list.
In 2000, the band returned to the studio to record its third opus. Recorded in Vancouver, Violence saw the band charting into heavier territories and experimenting with its sound a little more. The album had a tough, ridged edge to it, thanks in no small part to its high quality production. The band's musicianship became more complex as unorthodox riffs syncopated with unique rhythmn changes. Tracks such as "American Love", "Blue Skin", and "Everlasting Godstopper" were instant pit starters at shows. The band also had a hit single in the track "Bleeder", which was featured on the 3,000 Miles To Graceland official soundtrack.
It would be three years before Nothingface would unleash a new album on the world. That time came to pass in the spring of 2003, when the band released its fourth and final album - Skeletons. This record is the band's most diverse album, featuring elements of hardcore, rock, and thrash metal. Brutal cuts such as "All Cut Up" and "I Wish I Was A Communist" were sandwiched between lighter, more melodic songs like "Beneath" and "Scission". That summer, the band played on the Ozzfest Tour, sharing the stage with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Cradle Of Filth.
In February 2004, Nothingface announced they were splitting up. Although little information was provided as to the band's break-up, members discussed their musical projects for the future. It would be almost two years before news of the band would spread in the American metal community.
In November 2005, Nothingface announced their reformation. With a new line-up, new website and a new song - "Let It Burn" - released online, it looked like the violence was about to begin again. In the winter of 2006, Nothingface released a new track, "Walking On Bodies", and launched a mini-tour across the United States. Sharing the road with Silent Civilian, the shows were a success, and the band showed the country Nothingface could play a show like no other.
News from the Nothingface camp was fairly sparse throughout 2006. With the exception of a few shows here and there, no one knew what the band was doing next. Then, in the fall of 2006, it was announced that Tom Maxwell and Jerry Montano would play with Pantera's Vinnie Paul and Mudvayne's Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett. Once again, Nothingface would go on hiatus.
In spring 2008, clips of Nothingface began to surface on the Internet. The original line-up was back. The group was working on new material, their MySpace page kept the band's fans up to date and a new Nothingface website was launched. In 2009, rumors spread that Nothingface was recording a new album and planning to tour. These rumors did not ripen into news and in August 2009, Nothingface broke up for the second time. The band uploaded rare and unreleased tracks on the website for the remainder of the year as a gift to fans.
Now in 2010, the new Nothingface site promises to be the most comprehensive site online, featuring every article, interview, video and track of the band.
Matt Holt became a part of the band as a result of Ingredient 17 (Matt and Tommy Sickles' band) had been recording at Chris and Bill's house in Damascus. By this time Dave wasn't playing in the band anymore and Bill, Tom and Chris had been writing much heavier stuff. Tom heard the stuff Matt had been doing with Ingredient 17 and thought Matt would be a good match to replace Dave. Tom really got behind the idea and the guys setup some time for Matt to do some demoing on what would end up being Perfect Person. When Matt did the demo they knew they'd found the right guy. They continued to keep going with Matt as the lead singer, and in 1995 they released their self-titled release.
In 1997, Nothingface released their debut album, Pacifier, on DCide Records. The record had a raw energy and carved a niche for itself during the alternative metal era of the 1990s. Alongside contemporaries such as Korn, Deftones, and Sevendust, Nothingface made a fairly significant splash in the American metal scene. The band developed a cult following based on its energetic live shows and non stop touring schedule.
The following year in 1998, the band released its second album, An Audio Guide To Everyday Atrocity. This release saw the band changing its musical direction, with a heavier, groove-orientated sound. Unlike its predecessor, An Audio Guide was more akin to Pantera and Prong than Korn or Limp Bizkit. Songs such as "Breathe Out", "Villians", and "The Sick" became instant fan favorites and staples on the band's set list.
In 2000, the band returned to the studio to record its third opus. Recorded in Vancouver, Violence saw the band charting into heavier territories and experimenting with its sound a little more. The album had a tough, ridged edge to it, thanks in no small part to its high quality production. The band's musicianship became more complex as unorthodox riffs syncopated with unique rhythmn changes. Tracks such as "American Love", "Blue Skin", and "Everlasting Godstopper" were instant pit starters at shows. The band also had a hit single in the track "Bleeder", which was featured on the 3,000 Miles To Graceland official soundtrack.
It would be three years before Nothingface would unleash a new album on the world. That time came to pass in the spring of 2003, when the band released its fourth and final album - Skeletons. This record is the band's most diverse album, featuring elements of hardcore, rock, and thrash metal. Brutal cuts such as "All Cut Up" and "I Wish I Was A Communist" were sandwiched between lighter, more melodic songs like "Beneath" and "Scission". That summer, the band played on the Ozzfest Tour, sharing the stage with Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Cradle Of Filth.
In February 2004, Nothingface announced they were splitting up. Although little information was provided as to the band's break-up, members discussed their musical projects for the future. It would be almost two years before news of the band would spread in the American metal community.
In November 2005, Nothingface announced their reformation. With a new line-up, new website and a new song - "Let It Burn" - released online, it looked like the violence was about to begin again. In the winter of 2006, Nothingface released a new track, "Walking On Bodies", and launched a mini-tour across the United States. Sharing the road with Silent Civilian, the shows were a success, and the band showed the country Nothingface could play a show like no other.
News from the Nothingface camp was fairly sparse throughout 2006. With the exception of a few shows here and there, no one knew what the band was doing next. Then, in the fall of 2006, it was announced that Tom Maxwell and Jerry Montano would play with Pantera's Vinnie Paul and Mudvayne's Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett. Once again, Nothingface would go on hiatus.
In spring 2008, clips of Nothingface began to surface on the Internet. The original line-up was back. The group was working on new material, their MySpace page kept the band's fans up to date and a new Nothingface website was launched. In 2009, rumors spread that Nothingface was recording a new album and planning to tour. These rumors did not ripen into news and in August 2009, Nothingface broke up for the second time. The band uploaded rare and unreleased tracks on the website for the remainder of the year as a gift to fans.
Now in 2010, the new Nothingface site promises to be the most comprehensive site online, featuring every article, interview, video and track of the band.