Who We Were
Considered one of the most unique acts from Austin, Texas, Stealing Silence strove to be a diverse multi-genre listening experience for anyone who appreciated rock, metal, pop, alternative, ska, punk or rap. Influenced by too many bands to name, Stealing Silence overwhelmed audiences everywhere with their one-of-a-kind performances and mind-blowing energy. Rocking the stage from 2001 to 2007, their high-octane live shows left audiences breathless and their infectious melodies stole the silence from right under them. Great attitudes, modesty, and songs with substance made Stealing Silence one of the most talked-about up-and-coming bands out of Austin, TX.
Stealing Silence recorded their debut self-titled CD in the summer of 2001. The first single off of it, “Sitting in My Room,” reached #1 on the MP3.com local charts several times. They performed live on the KLBJ Morning Show and were featured on the Austin Music Network television program “Hank Sinatra Presents.” They won first place in the Braincube Records Ironman Tournament in April of 2002 with “Sitting in My Room,” which was also in the Top 100 Videos of 2002 on the Austin Music Network. The 2002 Austin Chronicle Music Poll listed Stealing Silence as the #4 Best New Austin Band, #7 Alternative Band, #7 MP3 (“Sitting in My Room”), and #13 Rock Band. In June of 2003, Stealing Silence won the Austin finals of the Rolling Rock Battle of the Bands and placed 14th overall in the national finals. Stealing Silence’s “One For The Homies” music video was nominated as the Best Comedic Video of 2003 by the Austin Music Network.
Our Influences
Their influences included bands such as 311, Sublime, Faith No More, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, The Deftones, and many many more. Listening to such a diverse set of bands helped make Stealing Silence one of the most unique bands to play Austin, TX in the 2000s.
Our Story
Josh was introduced to Eric by a close friend who was also Eric’s roommate. They jammed for a while and started writing some music and began looking for a singer. Eric met Jason “Mashed Potato” Taylor while working together. He told Josh that he just had that rock star vibe to him and he could sing too. Josh and Eric were wow’d by his ability to just make lyrics up off the top of his head and took him on as their new singer. Soon they recruited Israel, a close friend of Josh’s roommate, to play bass, but he was later replaced with Jeremy, a long time friend of Mashed Potato’s and a diehard Stealing Silence fan.
Soon Eric decided that his true passion was singing and was moved to the front of the stage. Jeremy’s younger brother Jerry was more than willing to take up the drums. In November of 2005, Mashed P finally decided to take his musical desires in a new direction and left the band. Eric had always wanted to be a lead singer and quickly filled the void left in Mashed P’s absence. The band decided that the only thing left to do was to find a feature lead guitarist and quickly found the perfect combination of energy, enthusiasm, and ambition in a slayer named Al Dente. Take an equal mix of friendship, talent, and dedication, and that was Stealing Silence.
The Playas
Eric Nichter was the lead singer for the band. He was an Austinite for most of his life, also living for periods of time in Ft. Worth and California. Some of his better-known musical influences included 311, Incubus, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Nirvana, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alice in Chains. He had been writing rock songs since the age of 10. When not playing with the band, he enjoyed writing and recording experimental music on the side, enjoying nature and the outdoors, and hanging out with his extensive family of friends. Eric never wore shoes.
Josh Sokol was the rhythm guitarist as well as the band’s manager. He grew up in St. Paul, MN, but moved to Austin when he was 18 to go to college. He was influenced by bands such as the Refreshments, 311, Sublime, Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Everclear, and many more. When he wasn’t playing in the band, he was usually busy booking shows and volunteering his time with the Austin Indie Alliance.
Al Dente was the lead guitarist and latest addition to the band. Discovered by Allied soldiers in 1941, the U.S. government sanctioned the use of Al Dente to fight Hitler and his army of supernatural demons. Later on, Al Dente learned the ways of rubber chicken manufacturing as well as the mastery of French pastries and cuisine. With this knowledge, he became an unstoppable guitar-playing warrior who rocked audiences wherever he could.
Jeremy Walker was the bass player for Stealing Silence. Born and raised in Austin, TX, he began playing guitar in 7th grade and switched to bass guitar in 9th grade. He played in many bands throughout high school, including Atrium (winners of the Westlake HS Battle of the Bands), Delve, and Johny Blunt (whose members also included Jason Taylor and Jerry Walker — Jeremy’s younger brother). His major influences included Tool, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, and Bob Marley.
Jerry Walker was the drummer for Stealing Silence. He had been playing drums with various Austin bands since he was a freshman in high school. He was inspired by bands such as Nirvana, Deftones, Tool, Weezer, and Dave Matthews Band. Classic rock and 80’s rock were major influences on his drumming style. Jerry’s favorite drummer of all time was Dave Grohl.
Baby Steps
- 1/1/2005
- Received 4th Place in the BarStar Best Local Bands of 2004 Awards in Austin, TX.
- 8/3/2004
- Interview with krazedaise during SXSW 2004 featured on the somanybands.com website.
- 4/1/2004
- Interview featured in the April 2004 issue of The Edge Magazine out of San Antonio, TX.
- 3/20/2004
- Selected to play in the Austin Indie Alliance SXSW Showcase.
- 12/26/2003
- “One For The Homies” music video nominated for “Best Comedic Video of 2003” by the Austin Music Network.
- 12/5/2003
- Played on the Curtain Club stage at the Dallas Music Festival with “Jibe.”
- 6/26/2003
- Won the Austin finals of the Rolling Rock Battle of the Bands at the Hard Rock Cafe and went on to place 14th in the national finals.
- 6/5/2003
- Won the first round of the Rolling Rock Battle of the Bands at the Hard Rock Cafe in Austin, TX.
- 3/13/2003
- Austin Chronicle 2002 Music Poll listed Stealing Silence as the #4 Best New Austin Band, #7 Alternative Band, #7 MP3 (“Sitting in My Room”), and #13 Rock Band.
- 2/1/2003
- “Sitting in My Room” placed in the Top 100 Videos of 2002 on the Austin Music Network.
- 11/8/2002
- Selected to play in the first annual Tourbaby Showcase in San Antonio, TX.
- 10/31/2002
- Selected to play in the first annual Tourbaby Showcase in Austin, TX.
- 10/31/2002
- Performed live on KLBJ Morning Show a second time.
- 10/9/2002
- Debuted “Sitting in My Room” music video on the Austin Music Network.
- 4/21/2002
- “Sitting in My Room” won the “Braincube Records Ironman Tournament.”
- 1/30/2002
- Performed live on KLBJ Morning Show for the first time.
- 12/18/2001
- “Sitting in My Room” hit #1 on the MP3.com Austin, TX charts for the first time.
- 9/22/2001
- Finished recording debut self-titled CD.
- 2/18/2001
- Played first show at Spiro’s in Austin, TX.