Rival Schools (band)
Encyclopedia
Rival Schools are a post-hardcore
band from New York
signed to Photo Finish Records
, featuring Walter Schreifels
on vocals
and guitar
; Ian Love on guitar; Cache Tolman on bass guitar
; and Sam Siegler
on drums
.
Formed by Schreifels, frontman of the influential group Quicksand
, Rival Schools were a hardcore
'supergroup' - its members being alumni of such '80s and '90s hardcore bands as Gorilla Biscuits
(Schreifels), CIV (Siegler), Youth of Today
(Schreifels and Siegler) and Iceburn (Tolman).
The band's name (and that of their first LP) comes from the Capcom
fighting game
, Rival Schools: United By Fate
. In their short history, the band toured both the United Kingdom
, (in support of A
) and the United States
.
In 2008, the band reformed to play some live shows, including Soundwave in Australia, Rock Am Ring
in Germany
, Hove Festival
in Norway
, a headline tour and Download Festival
in the United Kingdom
.
On November 16, 2010 the band released the deluxe single for "Shot After Shot" on iTunes from the forthcoming record Pedals, which was released March 8, 2011.
leadman, Jonah Matranga
. The lone result of this experiment was titled Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing, released on 24 July 2001 by Schreifels' Some Records
.
Their full-length album, United by Fate
, was produced by the Grammy-nominated Luke Ebbin
and released on 28 August 2001. Due to obligations from Schreifels' time with Quicksand, the album was released by Island Records
. Two songs from the album saw release as singles: "Used for Glue" closely followed the album's release, with "Good Things" coming later. Both songs enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV
in the US and UK.
; Love recorded a self-titled solo album in 2006, released on Limekiln Records; Tolman went on play with Institute
; and Siegler joined Nightmare of You
and briefly provided percussion for Limp Bizkit
.
Despite the band's dissolution, rumours persisted that a new Rival Schools album would be released. This album would presumably be the never-released second LP, however other suggestions have been of an album of B-sides and unreleased songs or of an album of new material, performed by a reformed Rival Schools. Schreifels himself mentioned the likelihood of a new album, with it being mooted for late 2006, although it is yet to surface. The "unreleased 2nd album" has been widely available for some time on the file-sharing network Soulseek, and is composed of a collection of B-sides and unreleased material.
& Rock im Park rock music festivals announced that Rival Schools would perform at the festival on June 8, 2008. The band also played the second stage of the Download Festival
in Donington Park
, UK on the same day Kiss
headlined. The band advertised a 5 date UK tour in Kerrang! Magazine (7 May 2008), and set up an official Myspace page, on which Schreifels revealed the band were writing new material. New songs aired at the UK dates have included 'Big Waves', 'Paranoid Detective', 'On the Frey' and 'Sophia Lauren'. Rival Schools is scheduled to play at the Fun Fun Fun Festival in Austin, TX in November, and then at the Soundwave festival in February 2009. On January 24, 2009 the band announced on their MySpace that they were entering the studio to start recording their as yet untitled new album. In August 2009, they played the UK Reading & Leeds festivals on the 'Lock Up' stage alongside Mad Caddies, The Bronx and Rise Against. Rival Schools also supported The Offspring at their UK shows.
On February 10, 2010 they confirmed that their new album Pedals
would be out in summer of 2010. The album was pushed back until March 8, 2011.
On November 16, 2010 the band released the deluxe single for Shot After Shot on iTunes from the then forthcoming record Pedals
On March 8, 2011 Pedals (album)
was released on Photo Finish Records
. Ian Love left the band for a second time in September 2011, with the band continuing as a three piece.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
signed to Photo Finish Records
Photo Finish Records
Photo Finish Records is an independent record label located in New York, NY. The label was started in 2006 by booking agent Matt Galle. Photo Finish is known for its diverse roster including punk bands, indie rock bands, and hip hop artists....
, featuring Walter Schreifels
Walter Schreifels
Walter Schreifels is a rock musician and producer from New York City.In the late 1980s, he played in many New York hardcore bands, most notably Youth Of Today and Gorilla Biscuits . After Gorilla Biscuits broke up, he formed the short lived Moondog...
on vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
; Ian Love on guitar; Cache Tolman on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
; and Sam Siegler
Sammy Siegler
Sammy Siegler is an American rock drummer, notable for his many contributions to the New York hardcore scene.-With Side By Side:* New York City Hardcore - Together compilation...
on drums
Drum kit
A 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 ....
.
Formed by Schreifels, frontman of the influential group Quicksand
Quicksand (band)
Quicksand was an American post-hardcore band from New York City founded in 1990 by singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major label albums, Slip and Manic Compression...
, Rival Schools were a hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
'supergroup' - its members being alumni of such '80s and '90s hardcore bands as Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits are a New York City-based vegan straight edge hardcore band consisting of Anthony "Civ" Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. The band is currently signed to Revelation Records.-Early career:...
(Schreifels), CIV (Siegler), Youth of Today
Youth of Today
Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk straight edge band, formed in 1985 and still in activity. The band played a major role in establishing the Youth Crew subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight edge and vegetarian lifestyles.-History:Youth Of...
(Schreifels and Siegler) and Iceburn (Tolman).
The band's name (and that of their first LP) comes from the Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
, Rival Schools: United By Fate
Rival Schools: United By Fate
is a competitive fighting game produced by Capcom originally released as an arcade game in 1997 and ported to the PlayStation in 1998.- Gameplay :The main fighting game is best described as a polygonal Marvel vs. Capcom game, with some notable differences...
. In their short history, the band toured both the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, (in support of A
A (band)
A are a British alternative rock band from Suffolk, England, that formed in 1993. They have released four albums, and two live mini-albums.In 2002, the band enjoyed a brief period of commercial success, in which "Nothing", the first single from Hi-Fi Serious , charted at #9 on the UK singles chart...
) and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In 2008, the band reformed to play some live shows, including Soundwave in Australia, Rock Am Ring
Rock am Ring
The Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals are two simultaneous rock music festivals held annually in Germany....
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Hove Festival
Hove Festival
The Hove Festival is a music festival held on the island Tromøy outside of Arendal in southern Norway. It was held for the first time from 26–30 June 2007. Since 2007 Hove festival has been the largest music festival in Norway....
in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, a headline tour and Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
On November 16, 2010 the band released the deluxe single for "Shot After Shot" on iTunes from the forthcoming record Pedals, which was released March 8, 2011.
Formation and United by Fate (1999-2002)
Rival School's first release was based around the concept of a series of EPs where multiple groups would come together to form a single band. For this, they teamed up with former FarFar (band)
Far is a band from Sacramento, USA.-Releases :After a number of local releases including their first demo tape Sweat A River, Live No Lies and two independent albums Listening Game and Quick they signed to Epic/Immortal Records and released their first major record, Tin Cans With Strings To You...
leadman, Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands Far and New End Original and Gratitude...
. The lone result of this experiment was titled Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing, released on 24 July 2001 by Schreifels' Some Records
Some Records
Some Records is an independent record label in New York City whose acts include Earl Greyhound, Innaway, Hot Water Music, Walking Concert, Six Going on Seven, Form of Rocket, The New Transit Direction, The Exit, The Ghost and Rebecca Schiffman....
.
Their full-length album, United by Fate
United by Fate
United by Fate is the first LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools. The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Luke Ebbin...
, was produced by the Grammy-nominated Luke Ebbin
Luke Ebbin
Luke Ebbin is an American multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated record producer, composer and songwriter. Ebbin is credited for executing the comeback and extreme makeover of Bon Jovi with his production of the worldwide smash hit "It's My Life" and the 11 million selling album Crush .-Musical...
and released on 28 August 2001. Due to obligations from Schreifels' time with Quicksand, the album was released by Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. Two songs from the album saw release as singles: "Used for Glue" closely followed the album's release, with "Good Things" coming later. Both songs enjoyed heavy rotation on 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....
in the US and UK.
Rumored second album and dissolution (2003-2007)
The band went down when member Ian Love left the band in 2002. In between touring with the band, he'd formed [ Cardia] and eventually left to focus on them. Regardless, a second album was expected for Spring/Summer 2003, but never surfaced commercially (the master tapes, comprising 11 songs, were later leaked onto the Internet). The rest of the band parted ways in September 2003: Schreifels went on to form Walking ConcertWalking Concert
Walking Concert is an indie rock band from New York, featuring Walter Schreifels on vocals and guitar; Jeffery E. Johnson on guitar; Ryan Stratton on bass guitar; and Drew Thomas on drums....
; Love recorded a self-titled solo album in 2006, released on Limekiln Records; Tolman went on play with Institute
Institute (band)
Institute was an alternative rock band featuring Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. The band's only album, Distort Yourself, was released September 13, 2005.-History:...
; and Siegler joined Nightmare of You
Nightmare of You
Nightmare of You is an American indie-rock band from New York City. Formed in 2004, the band currently consists of original founder vocalist Brandon Reilly, guitarist Joseph McCaffrey, and drummer Michael Fleischmann....
and briefly provided percussion for Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
.
Despite the band's dissolution, rumours persisted that a new Rival Schools album would be released. This album would presumably be the never-released second LP, however other suggestions have been of an album of B-sides and unreleased songs or of an album of new material, performed by a reformed Rival Schools. Schreifels himself mentioned the likelihood of a new album, with it being mooted for late 2006, although it is yet to surface. The "unreleased 2nd album" has been widely available for some time on the file-sharing network Soulseek, and is composed of a collection of B-sides and unreleased material.
Reunion (2008-present)
On April 9, 2008 the German Rock am RingRock am Ring
The Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals are two simultaneous rock music festivals held annually in Germany....
& Rock im Park rock music festivals announced that Rival Schools would perform at the festival on June 8, 2008. The band also played the second stage of the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
, UK on the same day Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
headlined. The band advertised a 5 date UK tour in Kerrang! Magazine (7 May 2008), and set up an official Myspace page, on which Schreifels revealed the band were writing new material. New songs aired at the UK dates have included 'Big Waves', 'Paranoid Detective', 'On the Frey' and 'Sophia Lauren'. Rival Schools is scheduled to play at the Fun Fun Fun Festival in Austin, TX in November, and then at the Soundwave festival in February 2009. On January 24, 2009 the band announced on their MySpace that they were entering the studio to start recording their as yet untitled new album. In August 2009, they played the UK Reading & Leeds festivals on the 'Lock Up' stage alongside Mad Caddies, The Bronx and Rise Against. Rival Schools also supported The Offspring at their UK shows.
On February 10, 2010 they confirmed that their new album Pedals
Pedals (album)
Pedals is the second LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools.Glassjaw and Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo remixed the track "Choose Your Adventure".-Track listing:# "Wring It Out" – 3:28# "69 Guns" – 3:22# "Eyes Wide Open" – 3:00...
would be out in summer of 2010. The album was pushed back until March 8, 2011.
On November 16, 2010 the band released the deluxe single for Shot After Shot on iTunes from the then forthcoming record Pedals
Pedals (album)
Pedals is the second LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools.Glassjaw and Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo remixed the track "Choose Your Adventure".-Track listing:# "Wring It Out" – 3:28# "69 Guns" – 3:22# "Eyes Wide Open" – 3:00...
On March 8, 2011 Pedals (album)
Pedals (album)
Pedals is the second LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools.Glassjaw and Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo remixed the track "Choose Your Adventure".-Track listing:# "Wring It Out" – 3:28# "69 Guns" – 3:22# "Eyes Wide Open" – 3:00...
was released on Photo Finish Records
Photo Finish Records
Photo Finish Records is an independent record label located in New York, NY. The label was started in 2006 by booking agent Matt Galle. Photo Finish is known for its diverse roster including punk bands, indie rock bands, and hip hop artists....
. Ian Love left the band for a second time in September 2011, with the band continuing as a three piece.
Studio Albums
- United by FateUnited by FateUnited by Fate is the first LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools. The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Luke Ebbin...
(2001), Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
(# 174 UK) - Unreleased (2003),
- PedalsPedals (album)Pedals is the second LP released by post-hardcore band Rival Schools.Glassjaw and Head Automatica frontman Daryl Palumbo remixed the track "Choose Your Adventure".-Track listing:# "Wring It Out" – 3:28# "69 Guns" – 3:22# "Eyes Wide Open" – 3:00...
(March 2011), Photo Finish RecordsPhoto Finish RecordsPhoto Finish Records is an independent record label located in New York, NY. The label was started in 2006 by booking agent Matt Galle. Photo Finish is known for its diverse roster including punk bands, indie rock bands, and hip hop artists....
EPs/Singles
- Rival Schools United by OnelinedrawingRival Schools United by Onelinedrawing-Track listing:# Green Is Good # Take One For The Team # Always # Where I'm From # Be Real # Contraire...
(6-track EP) (2001), Some RecordsSome RecordsSome Records is an independent record label in New York City whose acts include Earl Greyhound, Innaway, Hot Water Music, Walking Concert, Six Going on Seven, Form of Rocket, The New Transit Direction, The Exit, The Ghost and Rebecca Schiffman.... - "Used for Glue" (CD single) (2001), Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
(#42 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) - "Good Things" (CD single) (2002), Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
(#74 UK) - "Used for Glue" (7" vinyl) (2002), Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
- "Shot After Shot" (Deluxe Single) (2010) Photo Finish RecordsPhoto Finish RecordsPhoto Finish Records is an independent record label located in New York, NY. The label was started in 2006 by booking agent Matt Galle. Photo Finish is known for its diverse roster including punk bands, indie rock bands, and hip hop artists....
External links
- Rival Schools at MySpace Music official
- [ Rival Schools] at Allmusic
- Walter Schreifels official site
- Ian Love official site
- United by Walter a Walter Schreifels fan site
- Interview with Bombshellzine.com