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 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 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, "It’s one of those situations where everyone’s story will be different. Broadly, what it boiled down to is that we’re all older now, we all have different responsibilities. Making everything line up time-wise is difficult– I’m in LA, Chris is out in North Carolina, Tom’s out on tour with Hellyeah most of the year, Matt stays home in Baltimore now. And me and Tom have families now, too. You don’t just get together and write a great song, especially with Nothingface. It takes a chunk of time, and we’d 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 didn’t work out, but that being said, it doesn’t rule out anything for the future. As pissed-off as Nothingface was back in the day, we’ve 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.
Dead Like Me
Nothingface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Change what I am
This way I feel it
Like me now, like you now, like me now
The faces change
Hides in the shade
I can't fear the way back into you
Why can't you just let me fall apart?
[Chorus]
The colors fade
Casued bloody days
Now you know the truth about your friends
Just where they are
And where they lie
Why can't I was the blood off my hands?
[Chorus]
So, you think I'm nothing
But you'll see
Dead like me
I got this feeling in my chest
That I'm free
Dead like me
You'll see
I showed you inside of my dream
You'll see
I showed you inside of my dream
You'll see
But it's my turn
You saw me dying
You want to sell you soul to those men
You will risk us all
If there is one thing I've got to tell you
You say you're cold
But it's bullshit
Alone again
I said we'll beat them all
[Repeat Chorus]
All the pain, it satisfies my dreams and thirst
I never try to help you or your filthy friends
I'll awlays hate you till the end
The lyrics of "Dead Like Me" by Nothingface are open to interpretation, but they generally seem to be focused on the concept of change and the negativity that can come with it. The opening lines "I realize time's ticking by, Change what I am" suggest that the singer is aware that they need to change who they are, likely because they're unhappy with their current situation. The chorus, which repeats several times throughout the song, centers around the idea that the singer is dead inside, dead like me. The second verse seems to suggest that the singer is trying to hide their pain from others and is frustrated that no one will let them fall apart. The bridge and final verse seem to suggest that the singer is angry at someone who wanted to sell their soul and may have put the singer and others in danger. Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the difficulties of change, the pain it can cause, and the sense of isolation that can come from feeling like you're different from others.
Line by Line Meaning
I realize time's ticking by
I am aware that time is passing
Change what I am
I want to alter myself
This way I feel it
I am certain of my emotions
Like me now, like you now, like me now
We share relatable feelings currently
The faces change
People are different now
Hides in the shade
Someone is trying to hide from the truth
I can't fear the way back into you
I cannot be afraid of reconnecting with you
Hide everything that's helping me
Conceal everything that aids me
Why can't you just let me fall apart?
Why won't you allow me to break down?
The colors fade
Bright shades become dull
Casued bloody days
It's because of violent days
Now you know the truth about your friends
You realize the realities about your pals
Just where they are
Their actual position is revealed
And where they lie
The facts of their deception are established
Why can't I wash the blood off my hands?
Why I am unable to rid myself of guilt?
So, you think I'm nothing
You assume that I am worthless
But you'll see
You will understand in time
Dead like me
I am dead inside
I got this feeling in my chest
I have a sensation of freedom
That I'm free
I am liberated
You saw me dying
You witnessed my demise
You want to sell your soul to those men
You desire to bargain with those people
You will risk us all
You will endanger everyone
If there is one thing I've got to tell you
There's something important I need to communicate
You say you're cold
You declare that you're unemotional
But it's bullshit
That's untrue
Alone again
I am on my own once more
I said we'll beat them all
I stated that we will emerge victorious
All the pain, it satisfies my dreams and thirst
My pain satiates my cravings and fantasies
I never try to help you or your filthy friends
I have never attempted to assist you or your unpleasant pals
I'll always hate you till the end
I will forever loathe you until the end
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BRADLEE HOUCK, MATTHEW FRANCIS HOLT, THOMAS, IV MAXWELL, WILLIAM THOMAS GAAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind