Nonpoint

Nonpoint is a four-piece music group originating from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.^[1]

History

The beginnings (1997-1999)

Formed in January 1997, the members of Nonpoint actually met in October 1996 when Andrew Goldman and Kenneth Charman were in another band called Fuse.^[2] Since their formation, the band's line-up has remained unchanged. The band is lead by vocalist Elias Soriano, guitarist Andrew Goldman, bassist Kenneth "KB" Charman and drummer Robb Rivera.

The band created a name for itself in the burgeoning South Florida metal scene of the mid-late 90's. Other notable bands to emerge included Puya, Endo, Darwin's Waiting Room, Lost and The Groovenics.

Nonpoint's first album Separate Yourself was released independently in 1997. The band's first commercially released album Struggle was released on May 18, 1999 on the now defunct Jugular Records. The album remains out-of-print.

Statement/Development (2000-2002)

The band released their debut major label album Statement on October 10, 2000 via MCA Records. To promote the album, as well as the band on a nation-wide scale, Nonpoint toured with such heavy weight artists as Linkin Park, Staind and Sevendust. Their main tour was appearing on the United States leg of the 2001 Ozzfest tour. A year after its release, the album entered the Billboard 200 charts, where it peaked at #166. The first single from the album, "What a Day", peaked at #24 on the Mainstream Rock charts.

Nonpoint's sophomore effort Development was released on June 25, 2002. The album entered the Billboard charts at #52, with the only single released from the album, "Your Signs", peaking at #36 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Controversy surrounded the band during this period, when frontman Elias Soriano was reported by MTV.com as saying the band used melodic vocals and musical hooks on Development with the aim of getting the band played on commercial radio. Soriano was quoted saying: "A lot of our fans were expecting something a little bit more on the edgier, heavier side. But unfortunately, this is our livelihood and we have to be smart about the way we write music."^[3] Two days later, the band issued a statement clarifying their comments.^[4] Despite this, Nonpoint completed a successful second appearance at Ozzfest, during the Donington Park leg of the European tour.

Recoil (2003-2004)

Two years after the release of Development, Nonpoint released their third major album Recoil on August 3, 2004 via their new label Lava Records. The album entered the Billboard charts at #115. The album's first single, "The Truth", peaked at #22 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Another single "Rabia" was later released.

To the Pain/Live and Kicking (2005-2006)

After departing from Lava Records, Nonpoint signed with independent label Bieler Bros. Records. The label's co-owner, Jason Bieler, produced the band's previous three albums. Nonpoint re-emerged with their fourth major album To the Pain on November 8, 2005. The album entered the Billboard charts at #147, with approximately 9,000 copies sold during its first week of release.^[5] The single, "Bullet with a Name", peaked at #22 on the Mainstream Rock charts, and the album's second single, "Alive and Kicking", peaked at #36. The song, "In the Air Tonight" (Phil Collins cover), which previously featured on their Recoil album, was the theme song for the Miami Vice movie. It made a belated appearance on the Mainstream Rock charts, peaking at #34. Beginning in late 2005, band toured extensively with Sevendust for three months, later concluding the tour in New Hampshire. Nonpoint toured on the third annual Music as a Weapon Tour with Disturbed, Stone Sour and Flyleaf.

Nonpoint released a CD/DVD combo Live and Kicking on November 7, 2006. The live album was recorded at the band's April 29, 2006 show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The album sold 3,475 copies during its first week of release.^[6]

As of January 31, 2007, To the Pain has sold 118,277 copies in the United States.^[7]

The future (2007-present)

Nonpoint have announced that they are in the process of writing a new album.^[8]

Also in March, Nonpoint will be performing at the Gem Theatre in Detroit, Michigan for THQ's WWE Superstar Challenge, where 16 Superstars will compete against each other in the video game: WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007, where Nonpoint's previous hits (Bullet With A Name + Alive And Kicking) were the main themes.

Members

• Elias Soriano – Vocals
• Andrew Goldman – Guitar
• Kenneth "KB" Charman – Bass
• Robb Rivera – Drums

Discography

Albums

• Separate Yourself (1997)
• Struggle (May 18, 1999)
• Statement (Oct 10, 2000)
• Development (Jun 25, 2002)
• Recoil (Aug 3, 2004)
• To the Pain (Nov 8, 2005)
• Live and Kicking (Nov 7, 2006)

Singles

Miscellanea

• The name "Nonpoint" is derived from "Nonpoint Factor", which was the name of the outfit that Robb Rivera fronted in Puerto Rico before moving to South Florida.
• On almost every album they have recorded, Soriano, a native of New Jersey, sings and raps in Spanish, although the vast majority of Nonpoint's lyrics are in English.
• Two singles "Bullet with a Name" and "Alive and Kicking" are featured on the soundtrack to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 video game (Playstation 2, Xbox 360).
• "Bullet With A Name" is featured in a trailer for the upcoming movie Grindhouse. [1]

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