Questions
Who is Nothing More and where are they from?
Nothing More is an American rock band formed in 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. Their music blends alternative rock with progressive rock, alternative metal, and hard rock.
How did the band get started?
Drummer Jonny Hawkins and guitarist Mark Vollelunga reportedly met at church camp and started jamming together, continuing through middle and high school before forming the band.
Who are the members of Nothing More?
As of 2024 the lineup is Jonny Hawkins on lead vocals, Mark Vollelunga on guitars, Daniel Oliver on bass, and Ben Anderson on drums.
Wait, the singer used to be the drummer?
Yes. Jonny Hawkins spent more than eight years as the band’s drummer before moving to frontman and lead vocalist in 2008, a risky switch that reportedly ended up saving the band.
What is the Scorpion Tail I keep seeing at their shows?
Built in 2016, the Scorpion Tail is a 400 pound, 14 foot tall contraption made from scrap metal and auto parts. Hawkins rides it during shows while creating digital electronic effects.
What is ’The Bassinator’?
It is a custom device that let three people play one bass at once, featuring Hawkins, Vollelunga, and Oliver in a three-person bass solo.
Were they nominated for any Grammys?
Yes. In 2018 they earned three nominations for the album The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Song, the latter two for ’Go to War’.
What was their big breakthrough?
Their 2014 self-titled album debuted at number 33 on the Billboard 200, selling about 8,600 copies its opening week, and the single ’This Is the Time (Ballast)’ hit number one on the Mediabase Active Rock chart.
What is their biggest hit song?
’Go to War’ topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in 2017 and reportedly earned the band their biggest recognition.
How did they fund their self-titled album?
The 2014 album Nothing More was a roughly three-year independent recording project funded through a Kickstarter campaign.
What are their albums?
Their releases include The Few Not Fleeting (2009), Nothing More (2014), The Stories We Tell Ourselves (2017), Spirits (2022), and Carnal (2024).
What is the song ’Jenny’ about?
’Jenny’ was reportedly inspired by Hawkins’ aunt who had schizophrenia and his sister who had bipolar disorder, and it was written to raise mental illness awareness. The song ’God Went North’ commemorated his mother’s death.
What are their live shows like?
Their shows feature a dual drum setup with two full kits so Hawkins can join in, plus the custom contraptions. One writer reportedly compared them to a twisted rock adaptation of Blue Man Group opening for Rage Against the Machine.
How did they land their record deal?
In September 2013 at the Aftershock Festival they reportedly replaced a bigger name on day two in front of a crowd estimated at 10,000 to 13,000, which led to a five-album deal with Eleven Seven Music in 2014.
Who are the band’s influences?
Jonny Hawkins cited Tool, Rage Against the Machine, and Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy as major influences, and the band also draws from thinkers like Carl Jung, C.S. Lewis, and Alan Watts.
