Is Ex Nihilo the second coming of Ex Post Facto—late, great linchpin of the downtown New York rock scene? Or is it a kind of tribute act, destined never to escape the shadow of its predecessor? It’s early days yet in the life of this band, and certainly, there’s a strong pro-Nihilo case to be made. From Ex Post Facto remain versatile stringman D. Tremens and drummer Big Mike, their musical telepathy strengthened by time (and by the needle-pushing volumes favored by soundman Sol Grungy). And whatever you want to say about controversial guitarist/new-lead-singer Nicky Chaos, this leader has his own kind of charisma to burn. Perhaps, you say, the repertoire is somewhat crippled by not having Billy Three-Sticks around to write new tunes? But who could resist the chance to hear “Brass Tactics” reimagined in the setting of a sweaty club? Or to hear, once again, the great “City on Fire?” When I had a chance to sit in on band rehearsals recently, the former song had taken on a harder edge, its elusive whiff of personal pain transformed into an almost political rage. Nicky injects a libidinal energy to the verses, and a lift of longing to the chorus… In an exclusive interview with this ’zine, N.C. revealed plans to close out the band’s first-ever live gig with “something pretty explosive.” So for all you doubters and believers out there, mark your calendars for Ex Nihilo… and find out just how big a bang Nicky can deliver. -Land of a Thousand Dances