Nails (band)

This article is about the hardcore punk band. For the new wave band, see The Nails.

Nails
Nails performing in 2014
Background information
OriginOxnard, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2009–present
Labels
Members
  • Todd Jones
  • Shelby Lermo
  • Andrew Solis
  • Carlos Cruz
Past members
Websitenailssl.bandcamp.com

Nails is an American hardcore punk band from Oxnard, California.[1] The group was formed in 2009 by frontman Todd Jones, formerly the guitarist of Terror,[2] along with bassist John Gianelli and drummer Taylor Young of Disgrace. They released their debut EP Obscene Humanity in 2009, followed by the studio albums Unsilent Death (2010), Abandon All Life (2013), You Will Never Be One of Us (2016), a split EP with Full of Hell, and Every Bridge Burning (2024). Nails have achieved widespread notoriety and critical acclaim for their savage and intense sound.

History

The band formed in 2009. They have since released three full-length albums and two EPs. As of June 2014, the band is signed to Nuclear Blast. They released their third album, You Will Never Be One of Us, on June 17, 2016.

On July 25, 2016, the band abruptly canceled a European tour, with promoters claiming the band were on a hiatus and "had no plans to play live or record again."[3] This also led to canceling their appearance at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest. Todd Jones later stated that the band had never taken a hiatus.[4] In December 2016, the band returned by playing at The Power of the Riff festival and releasing a split 7-inch with Full of Hell.[5][6][7]

On November 30, 2020, following the announcement of the 10th anniversary reissue of Unsilent Death, Young announced that he quit the band in early Spring. The day after, John Gianelli also confirmed his departure from the band. From this point, Todd Jones is the only member of the band.[8]

After close to 3 years of silence from Jones, the band's Instagram posted a picture of Jones and Kurt Ballou in God City Studios. The photo was captioned, "New NAILS LP coming Summer 2024 via @nuclearblastrecords engineered by Kurt Ballou. Thanks for sticking with us. Info forthcoming. Love you all.".[9] On June 10, 2024, the band released the single "Imposing Will". This coincided with the announcement that their fourth studio album would be titled Every Bridge Burning, and that their lineup now included guitarist Shelby Lermo of Ulthar, drummer Carlos Cruz of Warbringer and bassist Andrew Solis of Despise You and Apparition.[10]

Musical style

Critics have categorized Nails' music as grindcore,[11][12] powerviolence,[13][14] crust punk,[15][16] and hardcore punk.[17][18] In a review of Abandon All Life, Pitchfork wrote that "Nails cram their brief but constantly shifting tracks with a chaotic, complex blend of hardcore punk, D-beat, grindcore, powerviolence, and death metal."[19]

The band have cited influences including Agnostic Front,[14] Discharge, Slayer, Crossed Out[20] and Sheer Terror.[21] In a 2013 interview for Invisible Oranges, Todd Jones named crust punk, death metal, and Japanese hardcore as the band's foremost musical influences.[22]

Members

Current
  • Todd Jones – lead vocals, guitar (2009–present)
  • Shelby Lermo – guitar (2024–present)
  • Andrew Solis – bass (2024–present)
  • Carlos Cruz – drums (2024–present)
Former
  • John Gianelli – bass, backing vocals (2009–2020)
  • Taylor Young – drums (2009–2020)[23]
  • Tom Hogan – drums (2009)
  • Andrew Saba – guitar (2012–2015)
  • Leon del Muerte – guitar, backing vocals (2017–2019)
Touring musicians
  • Jon Westbrook – bass (2009)
  • Phil Sgrosso – guitar (2016)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

References

  1. ^ Chichester, Sammi. "Interview: Nails Talk New Album, Abandon All Life". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  2. ^ Roche, Jason (July 19, 2016). "Oxnard Band Nails Bring Punks, Metal Heads and Hardcore Kids Together". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  3. ^ Pasbani, Robert (July 25, 2016). "NAILS Cancel Tour Dates, Reportedly Go On Hiatus". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  4. ^ Lach, Stef (October 18, 2016). "Nails: We never went on hiatus". Team Rock. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  5. ^ Kennelty, Greg (October 17, 2016). "NAILS To Play THE POWER OF THE RIFF Festival In December". Metal Injection. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  6. ^ "NAILS / FULL OF HELL SPLIT 7-inch COMING DECEMBER 2ND". Full of Hell. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Bellino, Vince (November 8, 2016). "Full Stream: Nails/Full of Hell Split 7". Decibel. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Kennelty, Greg (December 1, 2020). "NAILS Bassist John Gianelli Also Quits the Band". Metal Injection. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "New NAILS LP coming Summer 2024 via @nuclearblastrecords engineered by Kurt Ballou. Thanks for sticking with us. Info forthcoming. Love you all". Instagram. November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  10. ^ ADAMS, GREGORY. "HEAR NAILS' VICIOUS COMEBACK SINGLE "IMPOSING WILL"". Revolver. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Slessor, Dan. "The 22 Most Essential Grindcore Albums". Kerrang!. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Scythe, Mandy. "Nails to Release a New Record in 2024". Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Dedman, Remfry. "Nails – You Will Never Be One of Us: Exclusive Album Stream". The Independent. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Rettman, Tony. "Hard as Nails: getting hammered by the harshest band in America". The Guardian. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Vallecillo, Alix (April 18, 2016). "Nails announce North American tour with Full of Hell, Terrorizer". Metal Insider. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  16. ^ Holmes, Richard (April 28, 2016). "Totem Skin – Weltschmerz". Rushonrock. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  17. ^ Breihan, Tom (June 10, 2024). "Nails – "Imposing Will"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Weaver, James (November 6, 2020). "Nails announce 10th anniversary edition of 'Unsilent Death'". Distorted Magazine. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  19. ^ Stosuy, Brandon. "Nails – Abandon All Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  20. ^ Morton, Luke. "Are Nails the nastiest band in metal?". Metal Hammer. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  21. ^ Nelson, Zack. "Nails: Todd Jones Discusses the Cover Songs They've Done Throughout the Years". Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  22. ^ Pessaro, Fred (April 26, 2013). "Interview: Todd Jones of Nails". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  23. ^ @taylorxyoung (November 29, 2020). "Here we have my first and final recorded contribution to NAILS. The 10th anniversary version of Unsilent Death is out now on @southernlordrecords featuring two previously unreleased songs, as well as the Obscene Humanity 7-inch remixed and remastered with those two songs". Retrieved December 1, 2020 – via Instagram.
  24. ^ "Nails Singer/Guitarist Todd Jones on Touring Full Time: 'When I Tried to Make Music My Livelihood, I Hated It'". Noise Creep. March 6, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2014.