Rival Schools: The Return of the Hardcore Heroes

Rival Schools' career originally spanned a scant four years from 1999 to 2003. In that time the New York post-hardcore four-piece released just one album, 2001's 'United by Fate'. Far from prolific. However, over the the following decade 'United By Fate's reputation grew. It is now one of the best-loved and highly thought of American alt.rock releases of the 00s. Something to do with Rival School's pedigree, perhaps: frontman Walter Schreifels played in '80s/'90s hardcore favourites Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand. That didn't stop Rival Schools stalling on album two, which was shelved and never officially released. The band broke up shortly after. In 2008, the original line-up reformed to the play some festival dates. The reunion led to the recently-released official second album 'Pedals' and a co-headlining tour with ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. On a recent visit to London, Spinner spoke to Schreifels about getting the band back together, eyeliner and why it means more the second time around.

How does the new album compare to United By Fate?

It was a little tricky to pick it up after 10 years. So much has changed. How do you bridge the gap and do something that makes sense with what we've done and represents what's happened in that time but also projects into the future? I think we managed to do a little bit of all that. I think we have a sound and it definitely sounds like us. But we also took some leaps and did some interesting stuff. I think the two records fit nicely together.

What creative leaps did you make?

To start with, we did this record ourselves, 100%. We produced it ourselves. We didn't have a record label. All the choices and the work was done without people calling us and asking us to do it. There was no one driving us to rehearsal. The motivation was all from us. Somehow it means more because of that. Stylistically, we tried different things -- something a little faster, a little slower, a little groovier.

Which song represents the biggest departure?

There's song called 'Choose Your Adventure,' which I think has this dance-y groove to it. That's something that we haven't done before. That's one that Ian [Love, guitar] wrote. That's another difference, too. A few of the songs Ian wrote the music and I came and did the vocals. I was just a lead singer on it and my vocals are different because I didn't write it. A lot of our approach to the record was different, which made it interesting for us.

Are the lyrical themes different to 'United by Fate'?

Yes, but some of them are the same. I like to write songs about relationships and experiences that have happened to me. When I don't have something like that I make up stories about things that could have happened. I'm aware of the way I like to do things and I was pressing myself to do it differently. That's why I enjoyed Ian coming in with songs. It definitely opened up a new way of doing things for me. I was looser and didn't stick to a straight narrative in the lyrics.

So the working dynamic has changed?

Yeah. With 'United By Fate' it started out that I had a solo contract that was an extension of my deal with Quicksand. I was told to make a band and they'd put out my record. The structure was all there for me to do it. I was projecting this idea. This time it was more of a collaboration. Ian wrote four of the songs. That was cool. I think it added a different flavour and one that I like.

Why do you think 'United By Fate' still stands up?

We've never fitted easily in a category. When we came out we were included in the emo wave that was happening at that time. I understood where it was coming from, but I didn't think we fitted into it totally. I think that's part of the reason why people still relate to us. Everything was very sensationalised at the time -- bands like the Strokes and the whole emo thing -- and we had something different and I think that meant something to people. I think the music spoke to them, which is beautiful. It's what I always hope to do when I'm making music.

Were you ever tempted to wear eyeliner?

That wasn't my thing. I understood that was a way to sensationalise a crop of new records.

Why did Rival Schools break up after just one album?

I had been through Quicksand and Gorilla Biscuits. I'd played hundreds of shows. I was little bit burned out. I wanted to do something else, something independent and not involved with major labels. Ian wanted to do a solo record, so it wasn't going to be the same line-up. I didn't feel great about Ian not being in the band. We'd made a great record, I was happy that and thought maybe we'd come back to it at some point. But I didn't want to get back on the merry-go-round. We wrote a bunch of material and started working on a new record, but I wanted to do something else, so I said, Let's pick this up another time. A few years ago it started to look more like never. Sam [Siegler, drums] sent me an e-mail and said, I don't know if you noticed but it's 2008. We should get cracking or it's not going to happen.

Does the fact that people love 'United By Fate' so much have a down side?

I think our challenge right now is to transcend 'United By Fate', but without throwing it under the bus.

What's been the highlight since you got back together?

Playing live, especially our own headline shows. It's like friends getting back together. A lot of people were 15 when they bought 'United By Fate'. Now they're 25. They're going to have a few real problems now. It's nice to check in with these people and find that it still resonates.

Rival Schools play with ...Trail of Dead at London's Electric Ballroom on friday and are touring through the UK (dates here). 'Pedals' is out now.

Watch the Video to Rival Schools' 'Good Things'