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Nothing More - The Few Not Fleeting
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Nothing More - The Few Not Fleeting
Like many bands you hear for the first time, turns out they've ...Nothing More - The Few Not Fleeting
Like many bands you hear for the first time, turns out they've been around for quite a while.
And so it is with Nothing More. This is the band's fifth studio release if you include last year's 'Waiting On Rain' EP - the nothing short of wonderful title track is included here.
Constant line up changes haven't undermined the stability at the band's core, but they have hindered progress.
Up till now that is. This new recording should change all that (if there's any justice / a god in heaven etc etc).
Drummer and nominal band leader, Jonny Hawkins took over vocals after their third (or was it their fourth) vocalist exited via a well worn revolving door, and proved himself to be a revelation.
On their own admission, the central trio of band members - Hawkins of course, plus Daniel Oliver (bass&bv's) and Mark Vollelunga (guitar&bv's) listen to a lot of progressive rock, hard rock, jazz, funk, death metal and like that and like that. Eclectic doesn't seem a big enough word. And it all comes out on 'A Few Not Fleeting'.
Innovative, imaginative, state of the art production and songs that sometimes get so intense they almost burn off the page.
Scalpel sharp songwriting. Slick, spacey programming and loud, biting guitars. All combine to fabulous effect.
It takes all the elements working together to work, and they don't create perfect chemistry every time. But when they do, it's truly explosive.
The first 4 tracks are pure gold. The rest are merely precious metal.
And in amongst those 4, standout track, by a considerable margin, is the 2 1/2 minute 'Fat Kid'. A short, sharp lightning bolt of melody and tight harmonies, with a killer chorus and a world class hook. It's vaguely reminiscent of T Ride in places.
In its wake, 'Waiting On Rain' has "hit single" scrawled all over it. A contemporary - and initially dark and sinister - musical masterpiece that quickly develops into a cacophonous rock monster with an elegant, beguiling chorus.
It doesn't end there. These guys are skilled wordsmiths as well as inventive musicians. The songs are populated by hard hitting lyrics that home in on their targets like WMDs, demonstrating the same single mindedness shown in the structuring and production of the music.
Yet another band to watch. Take note.
Written by Brian
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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The Few Not Fleeting Review
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Music Review: The Few Not Fleeting
I don’t generally repost the music reviews I write for Independe...Music Review: The Few Not Fleeting
I don’t generally repost the music reviews I write for Independent Clauses on here, but this is a special case. I’ve been watching Nothing More perform for about five years now. This Saturday, they’re releasing their sixth album, entitled The Few Not Fleeting. Below is my review.
Upcoming 2009 album The Few Not Fleeting by Nothing More pulls you in, and it pulls you in fast. It has great continuity over the course of the album; the whole thing is a stunning emotional journey. For the uninitiated, Nothing More plays progressive/alternative rock; their sound is equal parts 30 Seconds to Mars, Coheed & Cambria, Dredg, and Fair To Midland. This San Antonio-based rock band has been around since 2000, and they’ve been busy the whole time, mostly playing across Texas and Louisiana, including performances in the Taste of Chaos tour in 2007 and Warped Tour in 2008. The Few Not Fleeting is their sixth release.
Consistent across the songs on the album are a thick, richly blended sound from guitarist Mark Vollelunga and bassist Daniel Oliver, strong lead vocals by Jonny Hawkins and excellently harmonized backups, and perfectly matched drums, also by Jonny Hawkins (interestingly, Jonny transitioned from drummer to the role of lead singer over the past year; a temp drummer fills in at live shows). Production value on this CD is quite good, especially for an independent band. Despite all this, what I found most striking about the album are the lyrics; they are all inspired by things the band has gone through. It lends a genuine quality to their performance.
“Gone” is my favorite track for the album. It opens with an ethereal electronic effect, and quickly transitions to Nothing More’s more typical guitar riffs and pounding drums. Over everything else, Jonny sings about the pain of his mother’s death; “I wish I’d never seen cancer / I’d die just to find that answer.” The emotional impact is practically overwhelming.
Rock anthem “Fat Kid” gives the album a helpful mood swing to the positive. Its tongue-in-cheek nature and rebellious nature are great fun, and when the chorus rolls around, you’ve just got to cheer. Lyrics proclaim, “I’m gonna rule the world, steal your girl / Not bad, not bad for a fat kid.” It’s an energetic song, celebrating the triumph of the underdog. Who doesn’t like that? I’ve had this album for a couple weeks now, and every time I hear the song I start singing along. If I’m alone, I might even dance.
“Blue And Gold” and “Love?” present a return to the deep and emotional, and are each an extremely satisfying listen. The first is one of the softer songs on the album, and both feature gorgeous vocal moments with great harmonies. In “Love?” they sing “I’ll sing it ‘til the stars fall down / I’ll sing it ‘til my lungs dry out / I can sing it all night long / But you didn’t listen / When I sing this song.”
I really can’t find fault with this album. There’s no low point, nothing that I didn’t like. Half of the songs I gave four stars in iTunes, which coming from me is high praise. I own all of Nothing More’s discography, and while the rest of it is good, The Few Not Fleeting is a significant improvement. I’m going to go a step further than giving this my seal of approval. I want to go on the record (no pun intended) stating that I believe this is the album that will see Nothing More getting major recognition, and probably even signing with a big label.
The Few Not Fleeting is being released Saturday, February 21st. If you’re in the central Texas region, be sure to attend the CD release party at Scout Bar in San Antonio. Want to hear some of their stuff now? Check them out at myspace.com/nothingmoremusic or nothingmore.net. The Few Not Fleeting will be available for purchase on iTunes.
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Educational Rock
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Pandemic and Dawn over Zero were an eclectic rock force duo that set the stage for Nothing More. Of ...Pandemic and Dawn over Zero were an eclectic rock force duo that set the stage for Nothing More. Of the three groups they are by far the most eclectic, most interested in the performance aspect, and overall the most enjoyed by the fans. By the time they came on stage Antone’s was center stage and poised to rock out to Nothing More.
Aesthetically you are instantly surprised by Nothing More. One stage they have four sets of drums. All of which are played and each member plays the drums. Their music doesn’t live on the drums but more so breathes on the performance aspect of the band. From traveling live drums Devin Travieso rocketing water into the air from his mouth, to Mark Vollelunga, guitar, head banging his several feet of dread locks. This band is truly an aesthetic experience.
Nothing More, is an experience all its own. Seeing them live is truly the only way to understand and comprehend all the distinct elements of the band. From four sets of drums to original sounds and an eclectic mix of rock and metal all infused with energy. Starting with Jonny Hawkins, vocals, energy is a strong element in their performance. He showers his head in water and garishly dances around stage in a controlled rage.
Their pulse truly beats at a faster more infused pace. Starting with vocals to bass guitar, Daniel Oliver, the energy is constant and relentless.
The most pleasing moments for me were when this band put away the rocker mentality and beat their drums. Plain and simple they are at their best when the just beat their drums. All four sets at once creating a beat and pound in Antone’s that was too strong and too powerful to be ignored.
More than just the music Nothing More is a revelatory experience. Their music on the face may seem like rocker gimmicks and a performance driven experience. However, this is just how they express themselves.
From a barefooted, with black socks, lead guitarist to a band van that literally runs on grease this band is unique. They create awe when they perform. The crowd wasn’t sure how to respond or how to move but they were sure they didn’t want the performance to stop. That’s what Nothing More does, they create awe.
They are a unique blend of music that is fun and different. I like to learn something when I listen to music. What this band(s) taught me is that expression has so many faces. The importance in music is not how or under what genre something is expressed. What’s important is that the expression, feeling, emotion, and the moment are real and these three bands are real.
written by: Silas Fallstich
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Nothing More Show Review
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Written by Hunny B
Tuesday, 16 June 2009 19:29
Nothing More show review of June 6, 2009
An ho...Written by Hunny B
Tuesday, 16 June 2009 19:29
Nothing More show review of June 6, 2009
An hour and a half from Austin lays the city of San Antonio. That is where you will find one of its own premiere independent rock bands, Nothing More. The quartet is comprised of members Jonny Hawkins (lead vocals/percussion), Mark Vollelunga (guitar), Daniel Oliver (bass), and touring drummer Devin Travieso.
You can find Nothing More touring all over Texas and the Midwest, but last Saturday night you could find them at home, in San Antonio, playing at Sam’s Burger Joint, with a few surprises up their sleeve.
In a recent interview with Dallas online radio station , renegaderadio.net, a couple of the members told us that they had been doing the same show for the past year while working on their new record, “The Few Not Fleeting,” and were ready to give the audience something new.
From the moment the band opened with one of their most riveting songs, “Bullets and Blue Eyes” you could tell Nothing More meant business. From there they went on to a cover of band mentor, Paco Estrada’s song “Vesica Pisces”, and went straight into the title track of Nothing More’s current record, “The Few Not Fleeting.” The vibe was set, and the electricity strong as the guys continued the high energy set with a song from a previous record (Save You/Save Me) called “Sixtysecondaffair.”
After a couple more songs off the new record, the surprises ensued as Jonny called from the stage for “pots and pans from the Jetta.” Little did we know they would be used for audience participation in the all new drum solo, which gets not only all four members of the band involved in drumming, but for the first time ever, a few members of the front row. As the night went on, Nothing More threw a few other great surprises at us in their set.
The first being a new live version of the very personal “Gone,” which gave you the feeling of it being an acoustic version, without the acoustic guitars, making the emotion in the song much stronger. The final surprise of the night was the cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” The cover was hilarious, yet set the song in the context more appropriate for the song’s subject matter with a few lyric changes.
Full Set List
Bullets and Blue Eyes
Vesica Pisces (cover)
The Few Not Fleeting
Sixtysecondaffair
Fell In Love with a Ghost
Salem
Drum Solo
The Cleansing
Gone
It Seems
Love?
Encore
I Kissed a Girl (cover)
Fat Kid
A few of the members mentioned before the show that they were a bit nervous with the show being in their hometown. It is, of course, always understandable when the standards for a hometown show get raised. With their skill of combining high electricity, high energy, incredible performance and stage presence, audience participation, and a striving attitude this band has nothing to worry about.
Let’s not forget their point to be very personable with every fan that comes out to the shows. Nothing More has all the ingredients of a successful band, and it is proven in everything they do.
Expect to see many great things come from Nothing More including a hometown appearance during this year’s Vans Warped Tour July 2nd on the Kevin Says Stage. For more Nothing More news, updates, and dates go to www.nothingmore.net, or visit their myspace at www.myspace.com/nothingmoremusic.
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Hope and Persistence
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Nothing More, "The Few Not Fleeting"
Mark Vollelunga, guitarist for Nothing More, was so kind a...Nothing More, "The Few Not Fleeting"
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
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A Night with Nothing More
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Picture the Blue Man Group playing rock and roll music, minus the blue paint and the bald heads. Im...Picture the Blue Man Group playing rock and roll music, minus the blue paint and the bald heads. Imagine listening to catchy rhythmic metal, rocking your head back and forth with music that melts on your ears like Aunt Jemima’s syrup on hot butter milk pancakes.. and you got a sticky ear, plus awesome music that your ears probably haven’t heard in ages.
Nothing More is what you will be expecting after you catch their show.
They start off with the generic questions but then quickly you discover that they are not your ordinary band.
The band is currently promoting their new album “Save You/ Save Me." They come from San Antonio and had played in Laredo before. The crowd had grown immensely around midnight when the band was set to go on. I got there at about 11 ish not sure what to expect. I had taken a listen to their songs on myspace before I had asked for an interview. The song that most struck out in my head was “Alibi.” It’s one of those songs that sticks to you and once you hear it you know it’s a hit.
There are many reasons musicians get started in music. For Nothing More I think Mark nailed the main, soulful reason as to why anybody picks up an instrument and joins a band. He said “every single one of us has a passion for music.. we like to give back.. and share the joy we have.”
The band has many musical influences from Mudvayne, Avenge Sevenfold, Queen, Coldplay, and of course Canadian female singers. You can’t pin down their sound. Their music ranges in melodies and like a true superstar band, they have their own sound; a sound that will take them where ever they want to go. The band is ambitious and knows that the sky is the limit when it comes to their music and their success. They may very well be on their way to stardom playing at venues from Boston to Cabo San Lucas in Sammy Haggar’s bar.
Bottom line, they rock. You can’t help but like the band and the music. I looked out into the crowd and saw people singing along with their songs. Nothing More puts on a show like you have not seen with a combination of catchy songs, rock and sometimes funk, with a modern alternative kick, and Blue Man group like moments, you will be blown away and become an instant fan. I got the sense watching these guys that they were a real group, good friends. Every band member has his own personality and instead of one guy standing out taking the spot light, these guys shine bright, together. Nothing exemplifies this more than when they come together for a 4 man bass solo or the guitar/percussion battle which they call, “Cosmic Justice.”
Nothing More’s music, personality, and good show will have you amazed. You will come away with a feeling of having discovered a new band who’s music is varied and catchy. You will expect nothing more after catching their show.
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Nothing More, Nothing Less
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Though rockers Nothing More hail from San Antonio, and don't pretend otherwise, it's a testimony to... Though rockers Nothing More hail from San Antonio, and don't pretend otherwise, it's a testimony to the band's work ethic and tour schedule that the quintet last month was named "Best Alternative Band, 2006" at Clear Channel's Texas Buzz Awards in Houston.
The hard-working, hard-charging Nothing More, Josh Kercheville (guitar), Daniel Oliver (bass), Jonny Hawkins (drums), Mark Vollelunga (guitar) and Trey Graham (lead vocals), hit the full-time tour road in 2005. Since that move, the independent outfit has spent about half the year on the road and done an excellent job of building a large and loyal following in cities such as Houston, Baton Rouge, Little Rock and Brownsville, and Dallas.
Besides the work ethic, Nothing More strikes chords in fans by crafting music that does not follow well-worn paths. Part alternative, part pop, part progressive rock and part arena rock, the band's music has the kind of sound that appeals to those who simply like to rock.
"We try and be flexible and do whatever we feel like," said Kercheville. "A lot of our older stuff was more progressive rock, music that was complicated and appealed to a lot of musicians but didn't always click with the casual listener. Lately we've really tried to simplify things and just write good songs."
Nothing More succeeds with selections such as "Sixtysecondaffair," "Sad Eyes," "Helios Amarantos" and a hidden track on the new disc that even includes a bit of hip-hop rhyming from Drake McCrary. The buzz is justified.
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"Nothing More" is awarded "Best Alternative Band, 2006"
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Sunday, December 17 was a day of recognition for the San Antonio/Boerne based band,"Nothing More," a...Sunday, December 17 was a day of recognition for the San Antonio/Boerne based band,"Nothing More," at the annual Texas Buzz Awards in Houston. The annual awards ceremony sponsored by 94.5 BUZZ (Houston) is equivalent to the Grammy's for ndependent bands in Texas. This year, "Nothing More" walked away with the award for "Best Alternative Band, 2006." This is the first time any San Antonio/Hill Country band has even been nominated for the award.
"Simply being nominated and recognized is an honor," said guitarist and BHS 2005 Graduate, Josh Kercheville, "but to go in and actually walk away with the title is a huge achievement for us. We haven't been doing this long, relative to some of the veteran bands in the region, so to go in and beat some of the surefire winners is quite an accomplishment."
The full-time, fully independent band has been touring the region virtually non-stop for the past 19 months generating a buzz throughout music fans everywhere. After selling out of their first and second records, and touring on their third for nearly a year, Nothing More will be releasing their fourth album since 2004, titled "Save You/Save Me."
The release party will be held at Jack's Patio bar (2950 Thousand Oaks Dr) on January 5 & 6. Tickets and pre-sale CDs are available for $10 each. Buy online at www.nothingmore.net/tickets.html
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Nothing More to perform on Campus
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Described as progressive pop with a nipple twist, the San Antonio band Nothing More will play Frida... Described as progressive pop with a nipple twist, the San Antonio band Nothing More will play Friday, Oct.13, at the 2006 Fort Lewis College Homecoming Bonfire.
Nothing More, an independently-managed band that plays mostly pop-rock music, has released three albums to date with a fourth currently in production, said guitarist Josh Kercheville.
“We are rock-based and technical for musicians, but poppy enough for any audiences to enjoy,” Kercheville said.
He said the best feature of the band is their dedication to it: all members are extremely hard-working; the band is currently their only occupation.
“We are all in it for the long-run,” Kercheville said. “We don’t want to be forced into a 9-to-5 job.”
This dedication is vital to the band’s success since they manage every aspect of Nothing More, from booking to public relations.
“We are surviving as a full time independent band,” Kercheville said.
Thomas Chacon, a local singer/songwriter who has released one CD, titled “Matches and Gasoline,” nationally and toured for five years, agreed that it is extremely hard for a band to book their own tour, manage CDs and merchandise and work on public relations.
“Once you get one tour booked, the second and third are easy, but the first isn’t,” Chacon said.
Nothing More offers more than just music: their performances feature a percussion battle and a four person bass solo—that is, four people on one bass. Kercheville said the band’s goal is to make concerts more unique and more entertaining.
The band, made up of Kercheville, Mark Vollelunga, guitar, Johnny Hawkins, drums, Daniel Oliver, bass, and Frank Graham, vocals, label themselves as San Antonio boys.
Kercheville, Vollelunga and Hawkins have been playing and writing together for seven years, with bass players and singers floating in and out of the band.
As the current five-member band, Nothing More has been touring full time for the past sixteen months. They tour mostly in Texas , Louisiana and Arkansas , but have traveled as far as New Jersey and Los Angeles to play, Kercheville said.
They also have two hit singles, “Watch and Learn” and “Sad Eyes,” that are in rotation on six major Texas stations as well as being played on numerous college stations.
The concert Friday night will be the first trip to Colorado , but Kercheville said they will not have much time to vacation. The band is currently recording their fourth album, titled “Save You/Save Me,” due for official release in January 2007.
“We have improved 120 percent in writing, arranging and technical musicianship,” Kercheville said. “It is all coming together on this record.”
supersonic
