An Education in Rebellion
Encyclopedia
An Education in Rebellion is the debut album of American metal
band The Union Underground
. Released on July 18, 2000 through Columbia
, the album sold nearly 400,000 copies and featured the single
s "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'," "Revolution Man," and "Killing the Fly." This would be the group's only major label effort and last studio album before disbanding.
who commented, "I'd bet my bottom dollar this band will be around 10 years from now." Its summer 2000 release, An Education in Rebellion, resided on the American music charts for four months.
The album's lead single
, "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'," proved key in its success and held on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
chart for six months. The song jabs at the rock star image and found its title from a myth surrounding the Beatles
song "Revolution 9
." It would go on to become The Union Underground's best known song and received both significant radio play and MTV
rotation thanks to its music video
. Because of the single, An Education in Rebellion also made AN's Hottest Sales Nationwide chart. It was later featured on the 2001 compilation
s Corrosion
and KROQ New Music. "Killing the Fly" peaked at #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
while the final single, "Revolution Man," reached #26 and became an Active Rock
top 30 hit. A live performance of "South Texas Deathride" was included on Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium
.
Four tracks from the band's self-released EP - "Drivel," "Bitter," "Until You Crack," and "Natural High" - were included on An Education in Rebellion. A large amount of demo material had been recorded prior to their major label debut, which allowed the band to choose the "cream of the crop" for its inclusion. Lyrically, the album features various autobiographical themes including household drug use, particularly in tracks like "Trip With Jesus." In an interview, The Union Underground described the meaning behind their major label release:
but simply due to the severe weather conditions. In addition, the writing on the chalkboard, seen on the album's back cover, was created by Belise and not later added to the photo.
and Systematic
, prior to the album's release. They headlined club dates in fall 2000 and joined Marilyn Manson
in late October. According to the band, Manson heard "Turn Me on 'Mr. Deadman'" in a strip club and subsequently hand picked The Union Underground as his tour mates. The next year, they performed on the SnoCore Tour
, Ozzfest
2001 in both the United States and Europe, and various festivals in Germany, London, and Paris. To correspond with the excitement of their live show, the band incorporated a large video screen depicting footage pieced together by the band members themselves to play in sync with the song rhythms.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band The Union Underground
The Union Underground
The Union Underground was a nu metal/industrial rock band based out of San Antonio, Texas, USA. Original band members included Bryan Scott, Patrick Kennison, Josh Memolo, and John Moyer. They released one major label album, An Education in Rebellion, in July 2000 which featured the hit single "Turn...
. Released on July 18, 2000 through Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, the album sold nearly 400,000 copies and featured the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
s "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'," "Revolution Man," and "Killing the Fly." This would be the group's only major label effort and last studio album before disbanding.
Overview
After selling more than 5,000 copies of their self-recorded, self-produced 1997 EP, The Union Underground gained the attention of Columbia A&R executive John Weakland. They performed for three Columbia representatives before being signed to Columbia's Portrait imprint by John KalodnerJohn Kalodner
John David Kalodner is a retired American A&R executive. His achievements included signing Foreigner, AC/DC, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins to Atlantic Records in the seventies....
who commented, "I'd bet my bottom dollar this band will be around 10 years from now." Its summer 2000 release, An Education in Rebellion, resided on the American music charts for four months.
The album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
, "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'," proved key in its success and held on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart for six months. The song jabs at the rock star image and found its title from a myth surrounding the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
song "Revolution 9
Revolution 9
"Revolution 9" is a recorded composition that appeared on The Beatles' 1968 self-titled LP release . The sound collage, credited to Lennon–McCartney, was created primarily by John Lennon with assistance from George Harrison and Yoko Ono. Lennon said he was trying to paint a picture of a revolution...
." It would go on to become The Union Underground's best known song and received both significant radio play and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
rotation thanks to its music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. Because of the single, An Education in Rebellion also made AN's Hottest Sales Nationwide chart. It was later featured on the 2001 compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
s Corrosion
Corrosion (album)
Corrosion is a 2 CD compilation album released by Sony BMG and Columbia Records in 2001.-Disc 1:#"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" - Queens of the Stone Age#"As Seen on TV" - Pitchshifter#"Keep the Sabbath Dream Alive" - The Workhorse Movement...
and KROQ New Music. "Killing the Fly" peaked at #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
while the final single, "Revolution Man," reached #26 and became an Active Rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
top 30 hit. A live performance of "South Texas Deathride" was included on Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium
Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium
Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium is a compilation of live recordings from Ozzfest 2001.-Track listing:#Black Sabbath - The Wizard 4:38#Marilyn Manson - The Love Song 3:10#Slipknot - New Abortion 3:57#Papa Roach - Blood Brothers 3:31...
.
Four tracks from the band's self-released EP - "Drivel," "Bitter," "Until You Crack," and "Natural High" - were included on An Education in Rebellion. A large amount of demo material had been recorded prior to their major label debut, which allowed the band to choose the "cream of the crop" for its inclusion. Lyrically, the album features various autobiographical themes including household drug use, particularly in tracks like "Trip With Jesus." In an interview, The Union Underground described the meaning behind their major label release:
- "An Education in Rebellion is kind of a personal thing with us. You know when we were 14 - 15 years old, we just decided that this is what we're going to do with our lives regardless what anyone around us says or wants us to do. We just stayed completely focused on that and that's really what that's about. It's not about fuck your parents and fuck your teachers and tell them all to fuck off."
Album cover
The cover artwork depicts a young New York model named Anna Belise, whom the band found in a magazine model search. According to John Moyer, the model participated in a three hour photo shoot in "freezing cold" New York weather. He elaborated that the short-sleeved Belise had blue in her complexion not because of makeupCosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
but simply due to the severe weather conditions. In addition, the writing on the chalkboard, seen on the album's back cover, was created by Belise and not later added to the photo.
Touring
In promoting An Education in Rebellion, The Union Underground began headlining the Road Rage tour, with opening acts Linkin ParkLinkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
and Systematic
Systematic
Systematic is an American hard rock band from Oakland, California. They were one of the first signings to Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich's record label, The Music Company, via Elektra Records. The band released two studio albums before disbanding in 2004....
, prior to the album's release. They headlined club dates in fall 2000 and joined Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
in late October. According to the band, Manson heard "Turn Me on 'Mr. Deadman'" in a strip club and subsequently hand picked The Union Underground as his tour mates. The next year, they performed on the SnoCore Tour
SnoCore Tour
The SnoCore Tour, occasionally typeset as Sno-Core, is an annual festival tour of the United States. It features performances by some of the most popular groups largely of the alternative rock and metal spectrum...
, Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
2001 in both the United States and Europe, and various festivals in Germany, London, and Paris. To correspond with the excitement of their live show, the band incorporated a large video screen depicting footage pieced together by the band members themselves to play in sync with the song rhythms.
Critical reception
Allmusic's Tim Sheridan gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and commented, "While their sonic punch is undeniable, blending guitar skronk with Bryan Scott's snarled vocals, the rebellious posing of songs like 'Revolution Man' comes off as a calculated marketing ploy rather than true agitation. Rather than start a revolution, this is music that will likely lead to skateboarding and headbanging."Track listing
All lyrics written by Bryan Scott. All music written by Bryan Scott except where noted.Album
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
2 |
| The Billboard 200 | 130 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
R&R R&R (magazine) R&R was a weekly music trade publication that followed the radio industry and tracked the monitoring of current songs by format, station and audience cumes... Active Rock Airplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman'" | 11 | - |
| 2001 | "Killing the Fly" | 13 | - |
| "Revolution Man" | 26 | Top 30 |
Personnel
- Bryan Scott - vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineering - Patrick Kennison - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, co-production, engineering - Josh Memelo - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- John MoyerJohn MoyerJohn Moyer is the bassist and back up vocalist for the heavy metal band Disturbed, replacing their former bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Brendan O'Brien - mixing
- Don Gilmore - producer
- Ulrich WildUlrich WildUlrich Wild is an American record producer, engineer and mixer specializing in the rock and metal genres. Born and raised in Switzerland, Ulrich is now a naturalized citizen living in Los Angeles...
- producer - George Marino - mastering
- James Jeda for JJM - management
- Sean Evans - art direction
- Dean KarrDean KarrDean Karr is an American photographer and music video, commercial, and film director.-Official biography:Director/Photographer Dean Karr's signature style, often copied but never...
- photography - Marina Chavez - band photo
- Dana Martinelli - hair and makeup for cover
External links
- Turn Me on "Mr. Deadman" music video on Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
- Revolution Man music video on Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...