Nothingface was an American
alternative metal
Alternative metal (also known as alt-metal) is a genre of heavy metal music
Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and United States. With r ...
band from
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
, formed in 1993.
Their best-known and most prolific line-up consisted of
Matt Holt
Matthew Francis Holt (May 28, 1977 – April 15, 2017) was an American singer, formerly of alternative/nu metal band Nothingface and Kingdom of Snakes.
Biography
Matt Holt was raised in the suburbs of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Germantown, ...
(vocals),
Tom Maxwell (guitar), Bill Gaal (bass) and Chris Houck (drums). They disbanded in 2004, only to reform the following year, reuniting with Gaal and Houck, and then disband four years later. In 2017, Matt Holt died from a degenerative disease.
The band released five studio albums: ''
Nothingface'' (1995), ''
Pacifier
A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute given to an infant to suckle upon between feedings to quiet its distress by satisfying the need to suck when it does not need to eat. Pacifiers normally have three parts: an elongate ...
'' (1997), ''
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
''An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity'' is the second album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was released on September 22, 1998, via DCide/Mayhem Records.
Musical style
The main guitar riff from "I, D ...
'' (1998), ''
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or Power (social and p ...
'' (2000) and ''
Skeletons
A skeleton is the structural frame that supports the body of an animal. There are several types of skeletons, including the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside ...
'' (2003), achieving moderate success, as evidenced by their 2001 single "Bleeder" peaking at number 32 on the U.S.
Mainstream Rock Chart
Mainstream Rock is a music chart in '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock. The chart was launched i ...
and touring with high-profile acts such as
Soulfly
Soulfly is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1997, and later based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max Cavalera, who formed the band after he left the Brazilian group in 199 ...
,
Pantera
Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
, and
Ministry
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian ...
, as well as the
Tattoo the Earth
Tattoo the Earth was a concert tour from 2000 to 2002 in the United States. Scott Alderman, the festival's creator, believed that the tour would help "catch the vibe" between the musical artists and the body artists, saying in a prepared statem ...
and
Ozzfest 2003 tours. Nothingface's studio albums have sold a combined total of over half a million copies worldwide.
History
Early days (1993–1995)
Formed in 1993,
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
Damascus is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. In the early 20th century, there existed an incorporated municipality lasting a quarter century. It had a population of 17,224 as of t ...
, got the tape and they were both impressed with what Tom had sent. From there they got together and jammed on covers of
Soundgarden
Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom are the only members to appear in every incarnation of the band), and bassist Hiro Yamamo ...
,
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne ...
,
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery. Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands from t ...
and clicked.
They released three tapes with this lineup. These demos featured a
grunge
Grunge (sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound) is an alternative rock genre and subculture that emerged during the in the American Pacific Northwest state of Washington, particularly in Seattle and nearby towns. Grunge fuses elements of p ...
and
hard rock
Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...
-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
Matthew Francis Holt (May 28, 1977 – April 15, 2017) was an American singer, formerly of alternative/nu metal band Nothingface and Kingdom of Snakes.
Biography
Matt Holt was raised in the suburbs of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Germantown, ...
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.
''Pacifier'' and ''An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity'' (1996–1999)
The band then recorded a 1995
self-titled album featuring ten songs.
DCide
DCide is a privately held, Washington, D.C. based independent record label and distributor. 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 500,00 ...
then discovered Nothingface, and in 1996, they partially re-recorded the album, with six of the songs featured on their debut album ''
Pacifier
A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute given to an infant to suckle upon between feedings to quiet its distress by satisfying the need to suck when it does not need to eat. Pacifiers normally have three parts: an elongate ...
'', released in February 1997.
The band's second album ''
An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
''An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity'' is the second album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was released on September 22, 1998, via DCide/Mayhem Records.
Musical style
The main guitar riff from "I, D ...
'' was released on September 22, 1998, via Mayhem Records.
The band toured in support of the album throughout the United States with
Stuck Mojo
Stuck Mojo is an American rap metal band from Atlanta, formed in 1989 by bassist Dwayne Fowler. The band is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal. They have toured alongside bands such as Machine Head (band), Machine Head and Slapsho ...
,
[ Sam Black Church, ]Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...
and Ministry
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian ...
.[
]
''Violence'' (2000–2002)
Two years later, the band released their third album ''Violence
Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or Power (social and p ...
'' on October 10, 2000. It featured a single called "Bleeder" which peaked at number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart
Mainstream Rock is a music chart in '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock. The chart was launched i ...
. The album also peaked at 24 on the Heatseekers Chart
The Heatseekers charts are "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The Heatseekers Albums and the Heatseekers Songs charts were introduced by ''Billboard'' in 1991 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by ...
and 37 on the Top Independent Chart. It was the band's most successful album, and their first under the semi-major label TVT Records
TVT Records (Tee-Vee Tunes) was an American record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 24-year history, the label released 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, ...
. 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 (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.
]
''Skeletons'' and breakup (2003–2004)
The band released their fourth album ''Skeletons
A skeleton is the structural frame that supports the body of an animal. There are several types of skeletons, including the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside ...
'' on April 22, 2003, via TVT Records. The album is considered their most diverse, featuring some of the band's heaviest as well as most melodic material. That summer, the band played on the second-stage of the popular Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Sharon Osbourne and her husband Ozzy Osbourne, both ...
tour. Nothingface disbanded on February 10, 2004, citing musical differences and lack of support from their label.
Reformation and second breakup (2005–2009)
On November 24, 2005, a posting on the Jägermeister
( , ; stylized Jägermeiſter) is a German digestif made with 56 herbs and spices. Developed in 1934 by Wilhelm and Curt Mast, it has an alcohol by volume of 35% ( 61 degrees proof, or US 70 proof). The recipe has not changed since its creation ...
website showed Nothingface as the opening act for Disturbed
Disturbed may refer to:
Books
* ''Disturbed'', a 2011 novel by Kevin O'Brien (author)
Film and TV
* ''Disturbed'' (film), a 1990 film starring Malcolm McDowell
* "Disturbed" (''Numb3rs''), a 2009 episode of ''Numb3rs''
* "The Disturbed", a 20 ...
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
A crossbreed is an organism with purebred parents of two different breeds, varieties, or populations. ''Crossbreeding'', sometimes called "designer crossbreeding", is the process of breeding such an organism, While crossbreeding is used to main ...
and Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal 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 mus ...
. Jerry Montano was fired from the band after allegedly assaulting Tom Maxwell and making gun threats at Hellyeah's debut album 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 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 throug
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." The re-release of their self-titled album with remastered songs and new artwork was released on April 8, 2009.
On August 14, 2009, it was announced via Blabbermouth.net that Nothingface would be disbanding again. 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
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
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.
Aftermath and death of Matt Holt (2010–2017)
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."
Vocalist Matt Holt died on April 15, 2017, from a degenerative disease.
Other projects
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
Chad Gray (born October 16, 1971) is an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah.
Career Mudvayne
Gray quit his factory job that paid $40,000 a year to move to Peoria, Illinois and formed Mu ...
, whose tenure was short-lived due to prior commitments. The trio later announced the formation of Sever, which later became Blessed in Black and also included ex-Skrape
Skrape was an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Orlando, Florida in 1997.
History
Formed in 1997 under the name "Jojo", they later renamed to "Skrape" two years later. Prior to their formation in 1997, members had been invol ...
vocalist Billy Keeton. Keeton eventually left in late 2005 and the band dissolved.
In 2007, guitarist Tom Maxwell and then-bassist Jerry Montano began a band called Hellyeah
Hellyeah, stylized as HELLYEAH, was an American heavy metal supergroup formed in Dallas, Texas, in 2006. The band's last lineup consisted of lead vocalist Chad Gray, guitarists Christian Brady and Tom Maxwell, bassist Kyle Sanders, and drumme ...
with Vinnie Paul
Vincent Paul Abbott (March 11, 1964 – June 22, 2018) was an American musician best known for being the drummer and co-founder of the heavy metal band Pantera. He also co-founded Damageplan in 2003 with his younger brother, 'Dimebag' Darrell ...
, formerly of Pantera
Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
and Damageplan
Damageplan was an American heavy metal band from Dallas, Texas, 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 Diesel ...
, as well as Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett
Gregory Arnold Tribbett Jr. (born November 7, 1968) is an American guitarist who is one of the founding members, lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the metal band Mudvayne. He is also the former lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the met ...
of Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1996. Known for their sonic experimentation, face and body paint, masks and uniforms, the band has sold over six million records worldwide, including nearly three millio ...
. They released their debut album on April 10, 2007, via Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...
. After making drunken gun-threats at the album release party, Jerry Montano was subsequently fired from Hellyeah.
Musical style and influences
Nothingface have been described as heavy metal,[ ''August 3, 2011''. Retrieved: ''September 7, 2015''][ ''August 1, 2011''. Retrieved: ''September 7, 2015''] alternative metal
Alternative metal (also known as alt-metal) is a genre of heavy metal music
Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and United States. With r ...
[Heavy metal at House of Blues](_blank)
Doug Elfman. April 17, 2001. Retrieved March 19, 2013. and nu metal
Nu metal (sometimes stylized as nü-metal, sometimes called aggro-metal) is a subgenre of that combines elements of heavy metal music with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu met ...
. The band's first album ''Pacifier'' in 1997 featured a sound that was compared to nu metal band Korn
Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream.
Originally formed in 1993 ...
. Some critics described it as a "Korn clone". Although with their second album ''An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity
''An Audio Guide to Everyday Atrocity'' is the second album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal band Nothingface. The album was released on September 22, 1998, via DCide/Mayhem Records.
Musical style
The main guitar riff from "I, D ...
'', they abandoned that sound and featured the nu metal sound they became known for, continuing on their next releases. Some 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. The band's sound consists of aggressive heavy metal guitar riff
A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accomp ...
s, screamed vocals
Screaming is an extended vocal technique that is popular in "aggressive" music genres such as heavy metal, punk rock, and noise music and others. It is common in the more extreme subgenres of heavy metal, such as death and black metal as wel ...
, and melodic singing. Singer Matt Holt's melodic and grunge
Grunge (sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound) is an alternative rock genre and subculture that emerged during the in the American Pacific Northwest state of Washington, particularly in Seattle and nearby towns. Grunge fuses elements of p ...
-esque singing has been compared to Eddie Vedder
Eddie Jerome Vedder (born Edward Louis Severson III; December 23, 1964) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and one of four guitarists of the rock band Pearl Jam. He also appeared as a guest vocalist i ...
of Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guita ...
and the vocals of Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne ...
. Critics have praised Holt's singing style for being able to mix harshness with accessibility. Jennifer Slivka of the ''Daily Collegian
The ''Daily Collegian'' is a student-produced news outlet, with a newspaper and website, that is published independently at the Pennsylvania State University. The newspaper is printed twice a week during the fall and spring semesters, and once ...
'', noting that Nothingface "don't rap" and "don't sound like Korn", distinguished Nothingface from the band's contemporaries: "Their music is loud and aggressive, recalling more of the older metal bands like Pantera
Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
. However, there are many times when the melody will shift midway through a song, giving way to vocal harmonies much like that of Alice in Chains." In 1999, Paul Lee of ''Lollipop'', categorizing Nothingface as metalcore
Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
, described the band as "Earth Crisis
Earth Crisis is an American hardcore punk band from Syracuse, New York, active from 1989 until 2001, reuniting in 2007. Since 1993 the band's longest serving members are vocalist Karl Buechner, lead guitarist Scott Crouse, bassist Ian Edwards ...
-meets-Fugazi
Fugazi (; ) is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C., in 1986. The band consists of guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally, and drummer Brendan Canty. They are noted for their style-tr ...
". Lee also wrote that Nothingface "have chops comparable to Rush
Rush(es) may refer to:
Places
United States
* Rush, Colorado
* Rush, Kentucky
* Rush, New York
* Rush City, Minnesota
* Rush Creek (Kishwaukee River tributary), Illinois
* Rush Creek (Marin County, California), a stream
* Rush Creek (Mono Cou ...
or King Crimson
King Crimson are a progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London, England. The band draws inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, industrial, electronic, experime ...
."
Matt Holt cites Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
heavy metal bands Dog Fashion Disco
Dog Fashion Disco is an American heavy metal band from Rockville, Maryland, that was originally active from 1995 to 2007 before disbanding. The band officially reunited on October 10, 2013.
History
Combining many different music styles (1960s ...
, Spirit Caravan
Spirit Caravan was an American doom metal / stoner rock band featuring guitarist and vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich.
Biography
Scott "Wino" Weinrich formed Spirit Caravan after the breakup of The Obsessed. The remainder of the band consisted ...
, and Meatjack as influences. Tom Maxwell came from the Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
heavy metal scene. Holt and Tommy Sickles "came from more of the D.C. indie
Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Gaming
*Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies
*Indie game, any game (board ...
, straight-edge
Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated sXe or signified by XXX or X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs, in reaction to the excesses of punk subculture. For some, thi ...
kind of thing, where" the two of them would see bands like Fugazi and other bands signed to Dischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in punk rock. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release ''Minor Disturbance'' by their band The Teen Idle ...
. Holt's other influences also include Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...
, Minor Threat
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Washington, D.C. by vocalist Ian MacKaye and drummer Jeff Nelson. MacKaye and Nelson had played in several other bands together, and recruited bassist Brian Baker and guitaris ...
, Bad Brains
Bad Brains are an American rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Originally a jazz fusion band under the name Mind Power, they are widely regarded as pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members have objected to the use of this ...
, and Shudder to Think
Shudder to Think was an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records, and two on Epic Records. Their early work was largely influenced by post-hardcore although ...
. Holt also said that Nothingface's "influences range from Patsy Cline
Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among I ...
to Slayer
Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...
". He then said: "We listen to a lot of music and very little of it is what would be termed 'heavy' music."
Members
;Final lineup
* Tom Maxwell – guitars (1993–2004, 2005–2009)
* Matt Holt
Matthew Francis Holt (May 28, 1977 – April 15, 2017) was an American singer, formerly of alternative/nu metal band Nothingface and Kingdom of Snakes.
Biography
Matt Holt was raised in the suburbs of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Germantown, ...
– lead vocals (1995–2004, 2005–2009; died 2017)
* Bill Gaal – bass, programming, backing vocals (1993–2001, 2001–2004, 2007–2009)
* Chris Houck – drums (1993–2000, 2008–2009)
;Former
* David Gabbard – vocals (1993–1995)
* Jerry Montano – bass (2001, 2005–2007)
* Tommy Sickles – drums (2000–2004, 2005–2008)
;Timeline
Discography
Albums
Singles
Music videos
* ''"Pacifier"'' (1996)
* ''"Defaced"'' (1997)
* ''"Breathe Out"'' (1998)
* ''"Ether"'' (2003)
Soundtrack appearances
*"Bleeder" was featured on the ''3000 Miles to Graceland'' soundtrack (2001)
*"Ether" was featured on the ''Freddy vs. Jason'' soundtrack (2003)
*"Down In Flames" was featured on ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' soundtrack (2003)
Unreleased songs
;With David Gabbard
;With Matt Holt
References
External links
*
Anne Carlini's interview of Matt Holt
Kaffeine Buzz: interview of Tommy Sickles
The Underground Scene: interview of Bill Gaal
Blabbermouth story about Bill Gaal
{{Authority control
1993 establishments in Washington, D.C.
American alternative metal musical groups
American nu metal musical groups
Heavy metal musical groups from Washington, D.C.
Musical groups established in 1993
Musical groups disestablished in 2009
Musical quartets
TVT Records artists