Empty Stares
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
| Products | Alternative rock music albums and performances |
Empty Stares was a Philadelphia-based alternative rock ensemble active between 1992 and 1997. The group comprised NottingCognito on vocals, Randy handling bass duties, Ted and Tom on guitars, and Kevin on drums. Initially formed in 1988 under the name Point Blank by Ted, Mario, and Kevin, the band transformed into Empty Stares after welcoming Randy and Tom in 1990 while attending Cardinal Dougherty High School. Their independently produced debut album, To One His Own (1992), came before they secured a contract with Shangri-la Records, following a more polished sound developed after their 1993 graduation.
Their musical approach combined melodic alternative rock with elements of trance-inspired nu-metal and thoughtful lyrical content, exemplified in the well-received Shangri-la release for..., which explored spiritual motifs. This achievement led to management under Buzz Trip and booking representation by Bay Ridge Talent based in New York City. They supported tours alongside prominent bands such as Anthrax, Clutch, The Misfits, Life of Agony, Type O Negative, and Gwar. In 1997, they released the album Rain, produced by Joe Campbell of MudWax Records, which included a track featured on the nationwide tribute compilation Horse Nation: A tribute to the life, music and spirit of The Cult. The song "Changes" demonstrated their evolving artistic direction.
By 1996, the album for... had surpassed 10,000 copies sold within the United States, representing a significant commercial accomplishment. The band also worked with Philadelphia punk veterans Rodney Anonymous and Joe Jack Talcum from The Dead Milkmen, who both produced and contributed performances on an unreleased four-track demo. Following an intense period of activity, Empty Stares entered a hiatus in 1997.
- To One His Own — 1992
- for... — 1994
Compilation albums
- Horse Nation: A Tribute to the Life, Music, and Spirit of The Cult — 1997
Other releases
- The Dead Milkmen Sessions — 1997, demo