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Gallery & Review: NOTHING MORE at Bowery Ballroom, NYC 09.20.15

In my time covering the rock and metal bands traversing through the NYC area, I’ve discovered a great number of hidden gems. I can safely say that Nothing More is throned high at the top of the list. I was first exposed to the Texas-based quartet back in February when the band came to New York on Periphery‘s bill. I remember thinking it then – this band is going to be huge!

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Jonny Hawkins | Photo: Ana Santos

While the last several months have seen Nothing More’s rise in the charts due to crucial airplay on Sirius XM’s OCTANE, the band’s relentless touring and explosive performances have certainly helped. And yet, despite the undeniable talent and positive message that draws thousands to the band’s Facebook & Twitter accounts, NYC’s historic Bowery Ballroom did not host a sold out crowd this past Sunday, September 20th. That is a crime. Nothing More seems to be currently cruising that awkward phase between stardom and ambiguity. While the band may not yet be playing a sold-out headliner tour, devoted fans line up hours prior to doors for their chance at a front-and-center spot for the show of their lives. (With VIP ticket upgrades starting at only $35, you should too!)

Words can’t encompass the exhilarating experience of their performance. Raw energy would be a great way to summarize it. Their 2013 self-titled album is a testament to their songwriting. It’s their extraordinary commitment to the stage that sets them apart. There are no off nights, there is no such thing as giving it 90%. These guys bring it at 150% every single time. I’ll be honest – having seen them play their frenzied set as a 40 minute opening slot twice before, I was curious, if not a little concerned how a full-blown headline tour would translate.

There was obviously no need to worry.

Frontman Jonny Hawkins was whipping sweat across the stage as he pounded his heart out on a custom-welded drum set. Leaping and launching over risers with microphone in hand, Hawkins’ primal adrenaline surge was infectious.

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Daniel Oliver | Photo: Ana Santos

Newcomer on the scene is Ben Anderson, who took over for drummer Paul O’Brien only one week before the tour kicked off, was embraced by the fans as he swept flawlessly through track after challenging track. One of the show’s highlights is definitely the band’s one-of-a-kind three-person bass solo performed by bassist Daniel Oliver, guitarist Mark Vollelunga and later joined by Hawkins. The rig was custom welded by Oliver, who devised a way for all three to perform without having their backs to the crowd. Seriously, just look at this fan-captured video from an earlier show.

If the adrenaline-riddled performance is not reason enough for you to check these guys out, then consider that this is the very last tour for the self-titled album before the band goes back into the studio. While I’m sure future performances are likely to include crowd-favorites like “This Is The Time,” “Jenny,” “Christ Copyright,” “Salem,” and “Sex & Lies”, it’s the less popular gems like “I’ll Be OK,” “If I Were” and “Take A Bullet” that make this tour a definite must. If you’ve been curious about Nothing More – go to a show. If you have nothing to do that night – go to a show. I guarantee that you’ll be a fan almost instantly.

If you’d like a more thorough experience then definitely pick up a VIP ticket. $35 gets you early access into the venue, a three-song intimate soundcheck experience, meet & greet, photo with the band and above all, the chance to meet some of the nicest, most down to earth bunch of guys on the scene.

Take a friend. Make a day out of it. Be ready to scream. You won’t regret it. (Tour dates listed below)

Check out some of my shots from the show:

TOUR DATES:

Date Venue Location
Sep 23 The Lost Horizon Syracuse, NY Tickets & More…
Sep 25 Mod Club Toronto, Canada Tickets & More…
Sep 26 The Machine Shop Flint, MI Tickets & More…
Sep 28 Jack Rabbit’s Jacksonville, FL Tickets & More…
Sep 29 Dixie Roadhouse Cape Coral, FL Tickets & More…
Sep 30 The State Theatre Saint Petersburg, FL Tickets & More…
Oct 02 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA Tickets & More…
Oct 03 Capone’s Johnson City, TN Tickets & More…
Oct 04 LOUDER THAN LIFE FESTIVAL Louisville, KY Tickets & More…
Oct 05 Revelry Room Chattanooga, TN Tickets & More…
Oct 06 Zydeco Birmingham, AL Tickets & More…
Oct 08 Hooligans Jacksonville, NC Tickets & More…
Oct 09 Amos’ Southend Charlotte, NC Tickets & More…
Oct 10 Monster Energy Rock Allegiance Festival Philadelphia, PA Tickets & More…
Oct 12 Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN Tickets & More…
Oct 13 New Daisy Theatre Memphis, TN Tickets & More…
Oct 14 Juanita’s Little Rock, AR Tickets & More…
Oct 16 INTRUST Bank Arena Wichita, KS Tickets & More…
Oct 17 Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK Tickets & More…
Oct 18 Lonestar Amphitheater Lubbock, TX Tickets & More…
Oct 20 Santa Ana Star Center Rio Rancho, NM Tickets & More…
Oct 21 KUPD FEST Mesa, AZ Tickets & More…
Oct 22 The Joint Las Vegas, NV Tickets & More…
Oct 24 The Glass House Pomona, CA Tickets & More…
Oct 26 Xfinity Arena at Everett Events Center Everett, WA Tickets & More…
Oct 27 Toyota Center Kennewick, WA Tickets & More…
Oct 29 Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Bozeman, MT Tickets & More…
Oct 30 Maverik Center West Valley City, UT Tickets & More…
Oct 31 KBPI – Saints & Sinners Ball Broomfield, CO Tickets & More…
Nov 20 KB18 Copenhagen, Denmark Tickets & More…
Nov 21 Fryshuset Klubben Stockholm, Sweden Tickets & More…
Nov 22 John Dee Oslo, Norway Tickets & More…
Nov 24 UEBEL & GEFAHRLICH Hamburg, Germany Tickets & More…
Nov 25 Comet Berlin, Germany Tickets & More…
Nov 26 Backstage München, Germany Tickets & More…
Nov 27 Legend Club Cesano Boscone, Italy Tickets & More…
Nov 29 Komplex Zurich, Switzerland Tickets & More…
Nov 30 La Maroquinerie Paris, France Tickets & More…
Dec 02 013 Tilburg, Netherlands Tickets & More…
Dec 03 Kavka Antwerp, Belgium Tickets & More…
Dec 05 The Institute Digbeth, United Kingdom Tickets & More…
Dec 06 KingTut’s Wah Wah Hut Glasgow, United Kingdom Tickets & More…
Dec 07 Academy 3 Manchester, United Kingdom Tickets & More…
Dec 08 Boston Music Room London, United Kingdom Tickets & More…

 

Watch the “Jenny” video below and visit the band’s PledgeMusic page to find out more about how you can help minimize the mental health stigma through the #iknowjenny campaign.

Follow the band:
http://www.nothingmore.net
https://www.facebook.com/nothingmore
https://twitter.com/nothingmorerock
https://instagram.com/nothingmoremusic

 

About Ana Santos

Photographer, explorer, music lover, writer, coffee addict and slave to three cats.

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