One of the hottest American rock bands in recent years made at stop in the Queen City this past Friday evening as Nothing More played to a sold out crowd at The Underground. Although the band has been around for over a decade, it wasn’t until their 2013 self-titled album that the rock world really began to take notice. The album produced a number of hits including “Mr. MTV” and “Jenny” allowing Nothing More to tour for several years including stops at major festivals around the country. The band is currently out on tour in support of their latest record “The Stories We Tell Ourselves,” which has recently been released.
The crowd was full of anticipation as the introductory music began to play and the lights were dimmed inside the venue. Drummer Ben Anderson was the first to take the stage as he took his spot behind the kit while guitarist Mark Vollelunga and bassist Daniel Oliver stormed out with fists in the air. Frontman Jonny Hawkins is also a drummer and took his spot behind the his drums and his signature Scorpion Tail machine which would make an appearance later in the evening. As Hawkins pounded away, strobes flashed across the stage as the band kicked things off with “Christ Copyright.” Hawkins, shirtless and shoeless, was on fire as he ran out from behind
his drums to get closer to the audience. Vollelunga was solid all night long as he provided riff after riff as Oliver played to the crowd every chance he got. Hawkins vocals sound amazing in a live setting as he soared through “Mr. MTV” with wild abandon. The setlist was a good mix of new music with six songs from the new album as well as the requisite hits. Highlights of the night were many including a wild bass solo from Oliver and Hawkins jumping into the crowd and surfing across the venue much to the delight of the fans lucky enough to put their hands on him. Things took a quieter turn for “I’ll Be OK” and “Here’s To The Heartache” which concluded with an audience sing along. Just when things couldn’t get any better the band ripped into crowd favorite “Jenny” and “First of the Year,” a Skrillex cover which had Hawkins atop the Scorpion Tail providing quite the visual spectacle. “This Is The Time (Ballast)” and “Salem (Burn The Witch)” closed out a night of rock and roll that the audience would not soon forget.
Nothing More is truly the full package with a one of a kind frontman in Jonny Hawkins, top notch songs, quality musicianship, and an entertaining show with all the bells and whistles that a great rock concert should have. Don’t miss the show when “The Stories We Tell Ourselves” tour makes a stop in your town.
Set List:
Christ Copyright
Let ‘Em Burn
Mr. MTV
Don’t Stop
Bass Solo
Ripping Me Apart
Go To War
Just Say When
I’ll Be Ok
Here’s To The Heartache
Do You Really Want It
Jenny
Ocean Floor
First of the Year (Skrillex cover)
This Is The Time (Ballast)
Salem (Burn The Witch)
We would like to thank Karissa Vassallo from Seven Eleven Music for the credentials to review the show.
