Other bandmembers included David Gabbard (vocals, 1994-1995), Jerry Montano (2001, 2005-2007) and Tommy Sickles (2000-2004, 2005-2007).
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 were often mislabeled as nu metal, however many music critics denied them as nu metal. They also are known for their extremely aggressive and heavy style.
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,[2] Sam Black Church and Ministry.[2]
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.
On November 24, 2005, a posting on the JΓ€germeister 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 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."
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,[3] 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, "Itβs one of those situations where everyoneβs story will be different. Broadly, what it boiled down to is that weβre all older now, we all have different responsibilities. Making everything line up time-wise is difficultβ Iβm in LA, Chris is out in North Carolina, Tomβs out on tour with Hellyeah most of the year, Matt stays home in Baltimore now. And me and Tom have families now, too. You donβt just get together and write a great song, especially with Nothingface. It takes a chunk of time, and weβd 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 didnβt work out, but that being said, it doesnβt rule out anything for the future. As pissed-off as Nothingface was back in the day, weβve 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.
Beneath
Nothingface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Painting circles around your crimes
What if I told you to die
Would you hate me and burn up inside
No traces, no picture
No sacred glowing scriptures
So control your chaos
Relax and you can save us
Your throne of unjust
A dirty sole of mistrust
It pushes down, forces us down
What if it all came crashing down all around you
How will you save yourself
If you need one more fix to let it lift
Just stop and think, because it's over
So it's fine if you can't define
All the reasons for losing your mind
But if I could turn back time
I'd walk and pretend it's a lie
No faces, no voices
No falling concrete takers
No control, all chaos
A severed screaming circus
The time, the pain
Forced us to run away
What if it all came crashing down all around you
How will you save yourself
If you need one more fix to let it lift
Just stop and think because it's all over
You're the birthplace of disease
Ending all, ending me
Forever wrapped in chains
What if it all cam crashing down all around you
How will you save yourself
If you need one more fix to let it lift
Just stop and think, because it's all over
The lyrics to Nothingface's song "Beneath" are both dark and introspective, delving into themes of turmoil, addiction, and the struggle for control in a chaotic world. The opening lines "telling time is hard when it rewinds, painting circles around your crimes" seem to suggest a feeling of being stuck in the past, unable to move on from one's mistakes. The following lines "what if I told you to die, would you hate me and burn up inside" suggest a longing for release from this cycle of despair, though the consequences are unknown.
The lyrics then shift to a more accusatory tone, with lines like "your throne of unjust, a dirty sole of mistrust, it pushes down, forces us down". This seems to refer to those in positions of power, creating an unjust and oppressive society. The chorus with its repetition of the phrase "what if it all came crashing down all around you, how will you save yourself" brings everything together, questioning the value of self-preservation in a world seemingly destined for destruction. The final lines "you're the birthplace of disease, ending all, ending me, forever wrapped in chains" feel like a resignation to this fate, suggesting that one's own actions are just as destructive as the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Telling time is hard when it rewinds
Remembering the past can be difficult and painful as it forces one to relive old memories.
Painting circles around your crimes
Attempting to justify or make excuses for one's mistakes or faults by deflecting blame onto others or blaming external circumstances.
What if I told you to die
A hypothetical scenario that questions whether one would feel hatred or resentment towards the singer if they were to wish for their death.
Would you hate me and burn up inside
Imagining the intense emotions and feelings that a person may experience if they were to hear someone wish for their death.
No traces, no picture
A lack of physical evidence or memories that may bring comfort or solace to those who have lost someone or something important in their life.
No sacred glowing scriptures
An absence of religious or spiritual guidance or teachings that may provide hope or a sense of direction for vulnerable and lost individuals.
So control your chaos
Taking charge of one's life and actions, rather than letting external forces dictate one's fate or well-being.
Relax and you can save us
Encouraging one to take a step back from stressful situations and approach life with a calm and level-headed mindset that may help them overcome their struggles.
Your throne of unjust
Metaphorically referencing a position of power or authority that is built upon unfairness or inequality.
A dirty sole of mistrust
A lack of faith or confidence in oneself or others, leading to feelings of insecurity and suspicion.
It pushes down, forces us down
The weight of authority and power can be oppressive and stifling, causing those who are under its control to feel crushed and powerless.
What if it all came crashing down all around you
A hypothetical scenario that explores the idea of losing control and experiencing chaos and destruction in one's life.
How will you save yourself
Questioning one's ability to handle adversity and overcome obstacles that may arise in life.
If you need one more fix to let it lift
Indicating a reliance on external substances or behaviors to alleviate stress or pain, rather than searching for internal strength and resilience.
Just stop and think, because it's over
Urging individuals to reflect on their actions and thought processes, recognize when something is wrong, and take steps to correct it before it's too late.
So it's fine if you can't define
Acknowledging that not everything in life can be easily understood or explained, and that accepting this fact may lead to greater personal growth and happiness.
All the reasons for losing your mind
The multitude of factors that contribute to mental health struggles or emotional instability that may be difficult to identify or comprehend.
But if I could turn back time
An imaginary scenario that explores the possibility of going back and changing past mistakes or missed opportunities.
I'd walk and pretend it's a lie
Concealing the truth of a situation from oneself or others by pretending that it doesn't exist, in order to avoid pain or guilt.
No faces, no voices
An absence of human connection or interaction, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
No falling concrete takers
The lack of external forces or entities that may offer help or support in times of need, leaving one to deal with their struggles alone.
No control, all chaos
A sense of being lost and powerless in a world that seems to be falling apart, where nothing makes sense and everything feels chaotic.
A severed screaming circus
The overwhelming noise and chaos of life that can make it difficult to focus or find clarity, leading to feelings of intense stress and confusion.
The time, the pain
The emotional and physical suffering that one experiences over time, as they confront their inner demons and attempt to overcome their struggles.
Forced us to run away
Escaping from one's problems or responsibilities as a coping mechanism, rather than facing them head-on and taking responsibility for one's actions.
You're the birthplace of disease
Metaphorically referencing the source of one's emotional or mental turmoil, which may be caused by one's own thoughts and behaviors, rather than external circumstances.
Ending all, ending me
The destructive nature of negative thoughts and actions, which can lead to self-sabotage and self-destruction.
Forever wrapped in chains
Feeling trapped or bound to one's problems or emotions, without any clear path to freedom or resolution.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FREDRIK THORDENDAL, TOMAS HAAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind