United Nations (band)
United Nations |
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United Nations is a grindcore supergroup whose roots go back to at least 2005.[1] They refer to their musical genre as "emo-power-violence."[2]
History
The band was started by Geoff Rickly, the vocalist/lyricist of the band Thursday. Other artists involved in the project possibly include Daryl Palumbo, vocalist of Glassjaw and Head Automatica, Ben Koller, drummer for Converge; Christopher "Chree" Conger, former drummer of The Number 12 Looks Like You; bassist Eric Cooper of Made Out of Babies; and Jonah Bayer of The Lovekill. However, due to contract obligations of all members except Rickly, the official lineup isn't well-known, with the exception of Rickly and Palumbo.[3][4] Since Rickly is the only member whose primary band is currently not under contract, his name is the only one that can legally appear in press materials.[5] Press photos of the band released in 2008 depict 4 people wearing Ronald Reagan masks.[6]
The band released their self-titled debut on September 9, 2008 through Eyeball Records. Only 1,000 physical CDs were pressed and will be sold exclusively through the Eyeball Records webstore due to copyright issues with the album's cover.[5] The cover features essentially the same photo used for the iconic cover of The Beatles' Abbey Road, with the exception of The Beatles engulfed in flames and walking to the left rather than the right.
The band plans to follow up their debut with a 7-inch single on Deathwish Inc. titled Never Mind the Bombings, Here's Your Six Figures, which may potentially face similar copyright issues due to the title and cover's parodying of the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. In an interview with MTV, Rickly confirmed that the band already had enough material for a second full-length album that could see a release in early 2009.[5]
Controversies
Before its release, stores refused to sell the band's debut self-titled album because of copyright issues. As a result, only 1,000 copies were made with the controversial cover, and later copies were made with an alternative cover. The one thousand original copies were sold exclusively through the band and Eyeball Records.
The actual international organization called United Nations, for which the band is named after, discovered that a musical group had formed under the name of United Nations, and ordered Facebook to remove their official page.[7] After deleting their page, Facebook informed the band about the removal and also stated, "The use of the name 'United Nations' by the Band and the use of its Logo which resembles the UN emblem has not been authorized and violates international and United States laws..."[8] The band's record label comically responded the situation stating, "The United Nations, an international organization of some kind, has been taking issue with the band that shares it's name. Who had the name first remains open to debate, but the problem exists nonetheless."[7] Their label also hinted at the possibility of no longer being able to release their debut album.
Current lineup
- Geoff Rickly - vocals, guitar[3] (see also Thursday)
- Daryl Palumbo - unconfirmed[3] (see also Glassjaw, Head Automatica)
- Ben Koller (see also Converge)[9]
Discography
Studio albums
- United Nations (2008, Eyeball Records)
- United Nations Plays Pretty For A Bunch Of Fucking Babies (2008, UN/Collect Records)
- Dark Side Of The UN (TBA, TBA)[3]
EPs
- Never Mind the Bombings, Here's Your Six Figures 7" (2008, Deathwish Inc.)
- Music For Interchanging Parts 10" (TBA, Temporary Residence)[3]
References
- ^ "Daryl Palumbo talks Glassjaw, Head Automatica and grindcore side project United Nations." Punknews.org. July 22, 2005.
- ^ United Nations FAQ. United Nations' official site. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e "A conversation with United Nations' Geoff Rickly." Alternative Press website. August 25, 2008.
- ^ United Nations' Eyeball Records artist page. Eyeball Records website. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Thursday Frontman's United Nations Side Project Might Not Make It To Stores." MTV.com. September 5, 2008.
- ^ "United Nations Look Similar To The Bank Robbers From Point Break." The Syndicate Blog. August 26, 2008.
- ^ a b Sailer, Ben. "UNITED NATIONS FACEBOOK PAGE SHUT DOWN BY THE REAL U.N." Alternative Press. Retrieved on November 11, 2008.
- ^ Tate, Jason. "United Nations versus United Nations" AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved on November 11, 2008.
- ^ "Thursday's Geoff Rickly Spills About Side Project, EP, More." Buzznet. April 25, 2008.
External links
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