Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Hhi ©am rack Nothingface tour takes 'Violence' to a new level by Jonathan Dunagin The Gamecock Nothingface, one of the most prolific acts in loud rock today, will headline the fourth installment of the Elbow Room’s highly successful Monsters of Rock series Friday with opening acts From Zero and Dog Fashion Disco. As anyone familiar with the genre and the band could tell you, this show is not only great for strengthening Columbia’s music scene, but one few people should miss. According to a writer for Noisy Fans of America, “Nothingface puts on a blistering set that still stands out in my mind even three months after the show.” ran ot that is due to their great stage performance, but a lot of it has to do with their music. In reference to Nothingface’s latest release, Metal Edge magazine said “Violence is simply the album of the year and will become the standard on how loud rock will be carried on into the next century.” “[Because of the success of Violence] we get great tours like Disturbed and Pantera,” guitarist Tom Maxwell said. “It’s helped us get out there and become present in the minds of a lot more fans.” After two smaller, independent releases and a commitment to relentless touring and building a strong fan base, Nothingface finally hit the big time after last year’s release and a subsequent spot opening for Pantera on the Tattoo the Earth tour. “[Show attendance has] been going great,” Maxwell said. “We’re seeing the results of the record after being out for a while, and the results of the Pantera tour and Mudvayne/Disturbed tour.” However, Nothingface still believes their best shows are the ones they headline. We did a lot ot support shows and a lot of one-offs with bigger bands, and ... we’d go out there and pummel your ass for 30 minutes, but to get the full Nothingface experience we need to play an entire hour,” Maxwell said. “And [in a club of] 500-1500 [people] ... there’s a lot of violence out there in the audience.” Since emerging from Washington, D.C., in the mid 1990s, Nothingface’s music has shaped and added a new dimension to the already expanding genre of loud rock, one that is both melodic and terrorizing. And a lot of that has to do with the tremendous vocal range of lead singer Matt Holt. “A lot of [our fans] seem to enjoy the fact that we’re so heavy and then switch to being so melodic,” Holt said in a recent press release. “They almost have a choice of two bands with us: one Special to The Gamecock Friday’s opening act Dog Fashion Disco enters the perverse underbelly of rock ‘n’ roll with their dynamic and aggressive music. Special to The Gamecock Nothingface, whose Violence album has garnered acclaim both within underground and commercial radio, will headline Monsters of Rock Volume 4 at the Elbow Room on Friday. that’s obviously a metal band, and another that’s almost pop rock.” However, this marriage of sounds has had its share of ups and downs, including musician changes. “[Bassist and founding member] Bill Gaal left the band for four or five months back in January,” Maxwell said. “But we could not afford to stop, we were a very well maintenanced machine, and we could not afford to have anything f**k it up with serious tours about to happen with Pantera.” Nevertheless, Nothingface emerged and recently Gaal rejoined the band. “Bill came back in May and as far as the current situation, it’s back to normal again,” Maxwell said. “We’re playing tighter than we ever have.” Whether opening for Pantera in front of thousands of people, or playing at the Elbow Room in front of a crowd of hundreds, Nothingface is going to continue doing what they do best. “This is all that Tom and I ever wanted to do in our lives,” Holt said. “When I have kids coming to my shows and telling me that Violence is the best record they’ve heard all year, that means something to me.” “There are towns ... in the area and from each one ... about five kids are buying Nothingface ... records,” Maxwell said. “Even if Columbia is not big on the genre we play ... it doesn’t bother us — word gets around.” nowever, none 01 uns can pin point what makes Nothingface unique. Perhaps Juice Magazine said it best. ‘This innovative, new dimension of sound is beyond • labels and genres — it is just something you must experience.” Friday’s show is at the Elbow Room and is open to all ages. Admission is $10 and the show begins at 9 p.m. For more information on this show and other shows coming to the Elbow Room, call 771-1502 or visit the Web at www.elbowroommusichall.com. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight® hotmail.com WASHINGTON (AP) - Grammy-winner Whitney Houston will be honored at the BET Awards in Las Vegas Tuesday with a tribute led by Christina Aguilera and Luther Vandross. Houston was chosen as the first recipient of Black Entertainment Television’s Lifetime Achievement Award because of her many accomplishments in film and music, said Curtis Gadson, senior vice president of entertainment programming and network operations. ihe 37-year-old singer actress has won six Grammy Awards. Her films include “The Bodyguard,” “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” The BET Awards, recognizing excellence in music, film and sports, will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. EDT from the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Steve Harvey and Cedric “The Entertainer” will be the hosts of the two-hour show. “I am extremely honored to be recognized by Black Entertainment Television in this way,” Houston said. ■ Thursday, June 21 Elbow Room: Swearing at Motorists Ziggy’s By the Sea: Nothingface with From Zero The Eyedrum: Pilot to Gunner ■ Friday, June 22 Hunter Gatherer: 6-10 Split Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: Styx, Billy Squier Elbow Room: Nothingface with From Zero ■ Saturday, June 23 Elbow Room: Love Apple, Science Knows No Sin The Warehouse: Dezeray’s Hammer Sundance Bar & Grill: Captain Easy