Mark Vollelunga, guitarist for Nothing More, was so kind as to send not just one copy of Nothing More's CD, "The Few Not Fleeting", but TWO copies as the first got lost in the mail.
(You're awesome thank you!)
Let me also introduce Johnny Hawkins, Lead Vox, Drums, Programming and String Arrangements.
Daniel Oliver, Bass/Vox and Mark Vollelunga, Guitar and String Arrangements.
Before I looked really hard at their MySpace page, I listened to the first four tracks in my car (that's always so cool with a good band!), and was instantly taken by the intros and effects on the songs, song titles, punchiness; things I wasn't expecting, and I'm honestly glad to hear more of this ambient/rock sound lately in our region's original bands.
Mark describes "The Few Not Fleeting" as a work centered around hope and persistence.
Ambient yet thrashy, the ups and downs are delivered without any awkwardness.
Nothing More seems to have a sound of old school but new pop alternative rock, and the production of The Few Not Fleeting is nothing less than flawless! The entire product, artwork, etc.
When you see players descriptions as things like 'Groove, Breakdowns, Stick Bass, Programming, Guitfiddle and Harmony', there's no way you're in for the realm of pointless growling and lack of lyrical depth (no offense to growler fans!)
Speaking of LIVE shows, check out this video from their MySpace page:
Nothing More Promo
(Jack's Patio, San Antonio - I wish I could have seen that show!)
The Few Not Fleeting is the band's fourth release, with it's first being a compilation album spanning from 2003-2006, and the band's efforts have paid off very well with numerous awards including:
2007 Featured on FOX's reality tv show "The Next Great American Band"
2007 Warped Tour Battle Of The Bands Winner (out of 13,000 bands
2006 Winner “Best Alternative Rock Band” Clear Channel’s Texas Buzz Awards
Anyway I'm back to my car, just a quick ride, and GONE kicks on.
Kick is a good word...
This ambient intro (and fast at that!) quickly had me reaching for the volume button. (We've also got some serious double bass from drummer, Johnny Hawkins, and no absence of a thoughtful guitar solo which I must have in most songs...)
Beautifully diverse, chord changes, harmonies.
Nothing More has the punchiness reminisent of Linkin Park, but at the same time I'm not able to label them like that:)
SALEM is an interesting song. A modern day Rush 'Witch Hunt' and a damn good song as well, with 'Waiting on Rain' having every aspect of an 'anthem' tune (and the guitar is fucking amazing)
As their biography on MySpace says (very well written and thoughtful page by the way), I imagine Nothing More being the entertaining, energetic and eclectic band live I'm listening to now.
I also think they're super awesome for supporting a worthy cause as they do for http://feedjustone.com/, and the link section on their page is vast.
Interestingly enough the band went to three different studios to record, the cd is mastered by Ambient Digital, to pull off this obvious work from the heart...
None of the songs are too short, too fast - these guys knows how to keep you listening.
Nothing More is booked all the way out through September, with their next show in SA on MARCH 28 @ Scout Bar.
Their lives on the road look like they've been both exciting and tedious as their photos show.
This picture says a thousand words outside in the parking lot before their set at the Warped Tour, 2008. Just play! Get people moving!
If you haven't already, check out their website. They've got this cool RV flash site that I thoroughly enjoy:)
http://www.nothingmore.net