Nothingface (band)

Formed in 1993,[1][3] the band's original line-up consisted of vocalist David Gabbard, guitarist Tom Maxwell, bassist Bill Gaal and drummer Chris Houck. 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 impressed with what Tom had sent. From there they got together and jammed on covers of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction and clicked.[4] They released three tapes with this lineup. These demos featured a grunge and hard rock-influenced sound, in contrast to the heavy metal sound the band would become renowned for later on in their career. Gabbard left the band in 1995, due to disagreements over the heavier musical direction Nothingface was heading in. At this point Matt Holt took over singing duties. Matt Holt became a part of the band as a result of Ingredient 17 (Matt and Tommy Sickles' band) who had been recording at Chris and Bill's house in Damascus. Tom Maxwell heard the material Matt had been doing with Ingredient 17 and thought Matt would be a good match to replace Dave.[4]

The band then recorded a 1995 self-titled album featuring ten songs. DCide then discovered Nothingface, and in 1996,[5][6] they partially re-recorded the album, with six of the songs featured on their debut album Pacifier, released in February 1997.[7]

The band's second album An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity was released on September 22, 1998, via Mayhem Records.[8] The band toured in support of the album throughout the United States with Stuck Mojo,[3] Sam Black Church, Helmet and Ministry.[3]

Two years later, the band released their third album Violence on October 10, 2000.[9] It featured a single called "Bleeder" which peaked at number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[10] The album also peaked at 24 on the Heatseekers Chart and 37 on the Top Independent Chart.[10] It was the band's most successful album, and their first under the semi-major label 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.[3] He was replaced by Tommy Sickles[3] of Ingredient 17 (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. During the 2001–02 interval between Violence and their next album, Nothingface experienced significant turmoil when lead singer Matt Holt's home burned down, Tom Maxwell's mother dying and bassist Bill Gaal divorcing his wife, leading to the band nearly breaking up.[11]

The band released their fourth album Skeletons on April 22, 2003, via TVT Records.[12] The album is considered their most diverse, featuring some of the band's heaviest as well as most melodic material.[4] That summer, the band played on the second-stage of the popular Ozzfest tour. However, the band dropped off Ozzfest shortly before it ended due to numerous factors, including voice issues experienced by Matt Holt.[13] Nothingface disbanded on February 10, 2004, citing musical differences and lack of support from their label.[14][15][16]

Associated act Hellyeah in 2007

On November 24, 2005, a posting on the Jägermeister website showed Nothingface as the opening act for Disturbed in a 2006 show.[17] 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.[18][19] Jerry Montano was fired from the band after allegedly assaulting Tom Maxwell and making gun threats at Hellyeah's debut album party.[20]

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 May 20, 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 had rejoined Nothingface.[21] with Tommy Sickles now playing drums for the L.A.-based band Noise Within.[22] 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."[23] The re-release of their self-titled album with remastered songs and new artwork was released on April 8, 2009.[24]

On August 14, 2009, it was announced via Blabbermouth.net that Nothingface would be disbanding again.[25][26][27] 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.[26] 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 were present so was 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 were present also. The website has since been suspended for unknown reasons.[28]

In a Talk Toomey podcast interview on October 3, 2016, former guitarist Tom Maxwell stated that a Nothingface reunion is "not gonna happen" and that he and Holt "don't get along". Maxwell elaborated by stating that "there's just nothing anymore. There's no communication, there's no desire."[29]

On April 15, 2017, Matt Holt died aged 39 from a degenerative disease.[30] On May 6, 2017, Maxwell, Gaal and Tommy Sickles reunited at a Knives Out! concert to perform the Nothingface song "For All the Sin" (with Todd Smith of Dog Fashion Disco on vocals) as a tribute to Holt.[31]

• "Pacifier" (1996)
• "Defaced" (1997)
• "Breathe Out" (1998)
• "Ether" (2003)