The Union (band)
Encyclopedia
The Union are an English rock band formed in 2009 by Luke Morley
, ex-guitarist for Thunder
, and Peter Shoulder, formerly of Winterville.
(also previously in Thunder) and Phil Martini
(from Down 'n' Outz
) were later named as the bassist and drummer respectively for the band, although not as 'full' members of the group, as they intend to have a more "fluid line-up".
The Union made their live debut on 15 December 2009, at The Relentless Garage in London. The show was filmed for a live DVD, which was released with their debut album. It was announced in February 2010 that the band were to play at that year's inaugural High Voltage Festival
; they played the Main Stage on Saturday 24 July. This followed their first full tour of the UK, which took place over ten dates in April. The Union also played the 2010 Sonisphere Festival
at Knebworth
on Sunday 1 June.
The band's debut single, "Step up to the Plate", was premiered on Planet Rock on Thursday 18 March, and was available to download from the band's website. The Union announced two shows in late July (between their appearances at High Voltage and Sonisphere) which they were to headline and another UK tour in late September and early October. The band's second single, "Black Monday", was available as a free download in mid-May.
The Union's eponymous debut album was originally scheduled to be released on 16 August 2010; however it was eventually released a week later, on 23 August 2010. "Watch the River Flow", the band's third single, was released on 25 October. It was followed on 13 December by "This Time Next Year" which was the first official 'ChildLine
Rocks' single.
At the Classic Rock
Awards on 10 November 2010, The Union were named the best new band of the year.
The Union supported Thin Lizzy
on tour in January 2011,, supported Triggerfinger
on a tour of Belgium and The Netherlands in March 2011 and opened for Whitesnake
when they toured the UK in June.
Luke Morley
Luke Morley is the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the rock band The Union. From 1989 to 2009 he was the guitarist, chief songwriter and producer for the hard rock band Thunder...
, ex-guitarist for Thunder
Thunder (band)
Thunder were an English hard rock band, who originally formed in 1989 when the band Terraplane broke up, leaving lead singer Danny Bowes and guitarist/main songwriter Luke Morley to form a new group, namely Thunder...
, and Peter Shoulder, formerly of Winterville.
Formation and The Union
After the breakup of Thunder in August 2009, guitarist Luke Morley announced that he had formed a new group with Pete Shoulder, whose previous band, Winterville, had split in 2007. The band was to be called The Union. The pair had met each other eight years previously and had "worked together ever since whenever our previous commitments allowed us time". Chris ChildsChris Childs (bassist)
Chris Childs is an English bass player who was a member of the hard rock band Thunder from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2009....
(also previously in Thunder) and Phil Martini
Phil Martini
Phil Martini is a London-based rock drummer. He was a member of heavy rock band Tokyo Dragons until September 2008.After their split he joined The Quireboys, for two years....
(from Down 'n' Outz
Down 'n' Outz
Down 'n' Outz are an English band featuring members from Def Leppard, The Quireboys, and Raw Glory. The group covers bands and artists related to Mott the Hoople including Mott, British Lions, and Ian Hunter. Their debut album, My ReGeneration Vol...
) were later named as the bassist and drummer respectively for the band, although not as 'full' members of the group, as they intend to have a more "fluid line-up".
The Union made their live debut on 15 December 2009, at The Relentless Garage in London. The show was filmed for a live DVD, which was released with their debut album. It was announced in February 2010 that the band were to play at that year's inaugural High Voltage Festival
High Voltage Festival
High Voltage is a music festival held in Victoria Park, London. The event hosts artists from various strands of rock music, including classic rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal. The first festival was held on the 24 and 25 July 2010...
; they played the Main Stage on Saturday 24 July. This followed their first full tour of the UK, which took place over ten dates in April. The Union also played the 2010 Sonisphere Festival
Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival is a touring music festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. The festival is owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It is jointly-promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live...
at Knebworth
Knebworth House
Knebworth House is a country house in the civil parish of Knebworth in Hertfordshire, England.-History and description:The home of the Lytton family since 1490, when Thomas Bourchier sold the reversion of the manor to Sir Robert Lytton, Knebworth House was originally a genuine red-brick Late Gothic...
on Sunday 1 June.
The band's debut single, "Step up to the Plate", was premiered on Planet Rock on Thursday 18 March, and was available to download from the band's website. The Union announced two shows in late July (between their appearances at High Voltage and Sonisphere) which they were to headline and another UK tour in late September and early October. The band's second single, "Black Monday", was available as a free download in mid-May.
The Union's eponymous debut album was originally scheduled to be released on 16 August 2010; however it was eventually released a week later, on 23 August 2010. "Watch the River Flow", the band's third single, was released on 25 October. It was followed on 13 December by "This Time Next Year" which was the first official 'ChildLine
ChildLine
ChildLine is a free 24 hour counselling service for children and young people up to 18 in the UK provided by the NSPCC. ChildLine deals with any issue which causes distress or concern, common issues dealt with include child abuse, bullying, parental separation or divorce, pregnancy and substance...
Rocks' single.
At the Classic Rock
Classic Rock (magazine)
Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
Awards on 10 November 2010, The Union were named the best new band of the year.
The Union supported Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
on tour in January 2011,, supported Triggerfinger
Triggerfinger
Triggerfinger is a Flemish rock band from Antwerp, Belgium, formed in 1998. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Ruben Block, bassist Paul Van Bruystegem and Mario Goossens as drummer....
on a tour of Belgium and The Netherlands in March 2011 and opened for Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
when they toured the UK in June.
Siren's Song
The Union's second album, Siren's Song was released in October 2011. "Siren's Song", the title track of the forthcoming album, was released in May 2011.Band members
- Luke MorleyLuke MorleyLuke Morley is the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the rock band The Union. From 1989 to 2009 he was the guitarist, chief songwriter and producer for the hard rock band Thunder...
- guitars and backing vocals (2009–present) - Peter Shoulder - lead vocals and guitars (2009–present)
- Chris ChildsChris Childs (bassist)Chris Childs is an English bass player who was a member of the hard rock band Thunder from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2009....
- bass guitar (2009–present) - Phil MartiniPhil MartiniPhil Martini is a London-based rock drummer. He was a member of heavy rock band Tokyo Dragons until September 2008.After their split he joined The Quireboys, for two years....
- drums (2009–present) - Geoff Holroyde - drums (April 2010 to August 2010)
- Dave McCluskey - drums ( September 2010–present)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2010 | The Union The Union (The Union album) The Union is the eponymous debut album by The Union, the English rock band formed by ex-Thunder guitarist Luke Morley and Peter Shoulder...
|
| 2011 | Siren's Song
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Release date | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Step up to the Plate" | 2010 | The Union The Union (The Union album) The Union is the eponymous debut album by The Union, the English rock band formed by ex-Thunder guitarist Luke Morley and Peter Shoulder... |
| "Black Monday" | 2010 | ||
| "Watch the River Flow" | 25 October 2010 | ||
| "This Time Next Year" | 13 December 2010 | ||
| 2011 | "Siren's Song" | May 2011 | Siren's Song |