The Sweet Nuthin

Artist Information

Biography

The Sweet Nuthin was the outcome of a gig which included two of Austin’s most promising up-and-coming bands, The Steps and The Daze. Each mesmerized by the other, they would play together many times over the next few years, leading the charge of young bands trying to keep alive the piss and vinegar that is the essence of rock and roll. Both earned opportunities that most other young bands could only dream of: after being picked up by Kevin Wommack’s Loophole Management, The Steps toured the States, England, and Japan, played the Austin City Limits music festival twice, and released a self-titled album produced by Frenchie Smith; The Daze, meanwhile, were selected for the feature film Bandslam, featured on its soundtrack alongside David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, and Wilco, and recorded their own debut LP Striaghtjacket Hymns under the guidance of two-time Austin Music Awards Producer of the Year Rick del Castillo.

Of course, none of this is to mention the friendship and rapport that developed between the two bands, built on a foundation of undying devotion to rock and roll. So when Evan Charles, guitarist and vocalist for The Daze, decided to start a new band in early 2011, the first members were obvious choices. Chris Ritchie, a transplant from The Daze and a childhood friend would play bass. Z Lynch, drummer of The Steps, signed on immediately. On second guitar would be Colin Peters, a new arrival to Austin from New York City. Peters and Charles had met at Beerland; fate having seen it fit to bring them together, they discovered that they were neighbors and The Sweet Nuthin became inevitable.

Primarily drawing inspiration from The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, The Velvet Underground, and Ryan Adams, the band’s motto from the beginning was “Less is more.” Restraint in service of the song. They began working with Charles’ unused songs and began the process of developing their sound, which is characterized by Lynch’s relentlessly driving rock and roll beat and a focus on tight rhythm with the guitars. Right now, the band has an abundance of material to work with—it’s only a matter of time, hard work, and a little luck until their bio is told through their body of work.

Instrumentation

Evan Charles - Guitar & Vocals
Colin Peters - Guitar
Chris Ritchie - Bass
Z Lynch - Drums & Vocals

Discography

The Eckert Demos - 2011

Links

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Audio

• Play For Keeps
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• What's Done Is Done
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Time Is Right For The Sweet Nuthin [+ Show ]
  

  A couple of months ago, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame announced their fifteen nominees for induction...A couple of months ago, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame announced their fifteen nominees for induction this winter. I’m a bit of a RnRHoF buff so I follow these kinds of announcements closely and I was pleasantly surprised by the list of nominations, which I felt had a lot of solid, underrated bands on it with a few overdue no-brainers. One of those underrated bands was 70s bar band the Faces. “Bar band” might be a bit of a misnomer since it featured an already-famous Rod Stewart on lead vocals and the soon-to-be-Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, but listening to their music (especially the classic single “Stay With Me”) conjures up images of late, boozy nights with questionable characters. The guitars are dirty, the drums are pounding and you’re not quite sure what to make of any of the individuals involved. After their nomination, I revisited the Faces’ discography and my appreciation for 70s bar rock grew tremendously. And that’s why I have come to love the Sweet Nuthin’.
  
  I don’t know if the Sweet Nuthin’ know the Faces or enjoy them – the band’s Facebook page lists Neil Young, Gram Parsons, the Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones as influences. (The group’s “Hope This Feeling Turns,” especially, sounds right off of side 2 of Exile on Main Street.) Either way, though, they embody the essence of classic rock similarly to contemporary Philadelphia rockers Free Energy. This would be the favorite local band of the kids in Dazed and Confused if they grew up right now. And “One More Way of Moving On” is their current masterpiece. It’s got a churning rhythm section that recalls the dirtiest Johnny Cash songs, a chorus that can’t be contained in the space provided it, grungy guitars and a laid-back and drawling vocal delivery. It is the soundtrack to the late, boozy nights with questionable characters of the 21st century.
  
  Fortunately for you, if you have any inclination to see the Sweet Nuthin’ play in person, this is the week for you. They are playing every night from now through Friday at different venues across town. Tonight, you can catch them at Stubb’s with He’s My Brother She’s My Sister. Tomorrow – Wednesday – they hit up Frank with The Beta Rhythm and Lola Cola (God, who are all these bands?!). Thursday night they’re slated for the Locals Showcase at the Beale Street Tavern on 6th Street (no cover!), and Friday they’ll be capping off the week with a headlining show at Skinny’s Ballroom. So take your pick! And bring your drinking face.
  
  - Carter

• Top 50 Songs Of Austin 2011 (20-11) [+ Show ]
  

  19. ‘One More Way of Moving On’ - The Sweet Nuthin Speaking of countrified music, “One More Way o...19. ‘One More Way of Moving On’ - The Sweet Nuthin
  
  Speaking of countrified music, “One More Way of Moving On” sounds like the rockin’-est moments of Johnny Cash’s catalogue. It’s the soundtrack to any of the drunken, questionable nights you likely had at some point in 2011. The Sweet Nuthin have made a classic song that chugs forward relentlessly with a rolling bass line and relentless drum beat. Singer Evan Charles sings the verses in a monotone that makes him almost sound bored – which is a great contrast to the rest of the music and which makes the melody of the chorus that much more powerful. When he sings “I don’t care what you say / as long as you ain’t sayin’ goodbye,” it’s with all the swagger of someone who secretly knows he’s doomed but can’t bring himself to admit it. And as it turns out, that’s just one of the ways to move on.

Setlist

Subject to additions, subtractions, order alterations, and respects paid to others.

Play For Keeps
Done Is Done
Don't Call My Name
Hope This Feeling Turns
Good As You Believe
Hold On A Little Longer
It's a Fine Line
One Look At You
Back Home To Me
One More Way Of Moving On
Lights Out And It's Done
Your Mystery Is History
City Boy
Turn Me Out Again

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