Next To None - A Light In The Dark (2015)

NEXT TO NONE, is a Progressive Metal band based out of Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, features Max Portnoy on drums, Ryland Holland on guitar, Kris Rank on bass, and Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals. At the ages of only 12 and 13, the boys began writing their own music, preforming live around the area. About a year later they went into the studio to record their first 3-song self titled EP. At that point they really started to promote themselves through social media and playing live shows around the Pennsylvania area. Selling over 500 discs on their own and quickly gaining experience playing live and building an audience. They released a video for their song Fortune Cookie (featuring cameos from Anthrax, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho and the hosts of That Metal Show) They have continued to promote themselves through social media gaining over 70,000 views on You Tube and over 10,000 likes on FB. They are currently a very active live band, playing many local shows throughout Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area. They have also won several Battle Of The Bands, played show at Musikfest, Northampton County Fair, Mayfair, Liberty Music Fest, just to name a few. They have also been the support for such bands as The Winery Dogs , Adrenaline Mob and Virgal Donati and played Vans Warped Tour, Progressive Nation At Sea 2014. Throughout the last few years, their playing and writing skills have improved tremendously at a very quick rate so in the summer of 2014 it was time to go back into the studio and record their upcoming full length debut album with of all their new songs. Their debut album was produced by Mike Portnoy. The album also contains guest appearances by Bumblefoot of Guns N Roses and Prog legend Neal Morse.

Max Portnoy, born in New York, currently resides in Pennsylvania, where he takes part in his school’s jazz, marching, and concert bands. Max began playing the drums at age 5 but got serious about his drumming by age 8. He realized that drumming would be his career during the many years of going on tour with his idol (and father), Mike Portnoy. He loves playing metal, rock, prog, and jazz on the drums. Max's musical taste is diverse; his favorite bands are Slipknot, Metallica, and Lamb of God. He has always loved writing original music and playing it with his friends. He also enjoys art and robotics. His favorite movies are Sean of the Dead, Jurassic Park, and Land of the Lost. Gaming is a hobby, and his favorites are Left 4 Dead, Minecraft, and League of Legends. While drumming is Max's #1 passion, he has a strong interest in filming. Max was accepted and plans to attend Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts and afterwards to attend a college for music and film, such as NYU or UCLA.

Ryland Jett Holland, a funny, laid-back teen, has a passion for music and spends most of his time playing or listening to music; he plays everything from classical to rock. Ryland has been playing the piano for most of his life, winning gold medals in competitions, playing with the Praise Team at church, and playing at dinner parties. He has been playing the guitar and the saxophone for several years. He is an artist who loves most forms of art, and he is also an athlete. Ryland has a brown belt in karate, and he plays football, basketball, and baseball. His football team was undefeated, and his basketball team recently won the championships. He surfs, swims, snorkels, standup paddleboards, and snowboards. He loves adventure and trying new foods. Ryland serves as Sunday School President. He is fluent in Spanish and volunteers at a Mexican orphanage.

Kris Rank, began playing the electric guitar in 5th grade but switched to bass guitar when the foursome, which is Next To None, formed a band. Kris's musical preferences include rock and light metal, and his favorite groups are Shinedown and Avenged Sevenfold. He is a gamer, and Call of Duty, Need for Speed, and Minecraft are his top picks. His favorite book is The Hunger Games, and ribs are his favorite when it comes to food. His other interests include robotics, scary movies, tubing, knee boarding, and hanging with friends. He is active in church Youth activities. Kris is a National Junior Honor Society member, and he plans to attend college after high school.

Thomas Cuce, who has been playing the piano since he was 5, also plays the guitar and the bass. He is able to play for hours each day since he has been homeschooled since Kindergarten. Thomas plays entirely by ear due to the challenges (or gift) of dyslexia. At age 9, his musical gift was realized when, after seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra perform Star Wars theme songs, he replicated the songs within 3 days! He performs at retirement homes and for those who are shut in. In addition to playing music, Thomas plays baseball. His other main interest is science, specifically physics, mechanical engineering, computer programming, and robotics.


NEXT TO NONE sign with INSIDE OUT, announce debut album release date, cover art and track list!

Teen prodigy progressive metal band Next To None announce their signing to InsideOut and the imminent release of their debut album, A Light in the Dark, in the summer of 2015. Prior to the album's release, the band will be opening shows for English labelmates Haken on that band's April/May US tour.

Based in Pennsylvania, Next To None features Max Portnoy on drums, Ryland Holland on guitar, Kris Rank on bass, and Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals. The band have been honing their craft for several years, recording a self-released EP and playing various live gigs, including a slot at the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 cruise. Later that year, the band went into the studio to record their debut album. At the ripe young ages of 15 and 16, they emerged with an album they and producer Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Flying Colors, ex-Dream Theater) are extremely proud of. A Light in the Dark also features guest appearances by Bumblefoot (Guns N Roses) and prog legend Neal Morse.

Drummer Max Portnoy says, "It's so exciting to be signing with InsideOut...the home of the greatest prog bands in the world! We are honored to be part of the family."

Says producer Mike Portnoy, "Producing the Next To None album was like a trip back in time for me. I couldn't help but be reminded of recording my very first album with Dream Theater back in 1988. These boys have talent and maturity way beyond their years. It's obvious in their playing abilities, but I was most impressed with their writing and creative abilities. Six of the songs spread across the album tie together to create a conceptual piece...for a group of 15 & 16-year-olds to be thinking in big master strokes like that is absolutely incredible. They are doing things musically and thematically as teenagers that I wasn't exploring until I was in my mid twenties and thirties!

I must point out that THEY wrote all of the music and performed all of their instruments on the album. I do not want people to think that my role as producer had anything to do with those areas...it is all THEM! My main role was to help them explore the studio for the first time and help them learn the ropes in that department. I couldn't be prouder of this album and think that Next To None represents the next generation of progressive metal."