Thursday Biography
Soul-baring post-hardcore quartet Thursday formed in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1997. Led by vocalist Geoff Rickly, the band also included guitarists Steve Pedulla and Tom Keeley, bassist Tim Payne, and drummer Tucker Rule. After releasing their debut, Waiting, in 1999 (through N.Y.-based indie Eyeball), the band signed to Chicago's influential Victory label for 2001's Full Collapse, and toured with acts like Boy Sets Fire and Sparta in support of the effort. Thursday's frequent gigging and furious passion fueled a grassroots response, and by 2002, the band was on the main stage of the Warped Tour and enjoying radio and MTV support of its single "Understanding in a Car Crash." The quintet signed to Island in the wake of its breakthrough success, and issued the 2002 live EP Five Stories Falling through Victory as a placeholder for its eventual major-label debut. The ambitious song arc of War All the Time dropped in September 2003. The album was met with considerable critical acclaim for its ruminations on 9/11, its poetic, personal lyrics, and a wildly shifting, kitchen-sink approach to pensive post-hardcore. Playing keyboards on the album, Andrew Everding was later added as a full-time member. Extensive touring behind the record took its toll on the band; tensions between members and personal problems soon made Thursday appear to be on the fast road to breaking up. Band problems aside, Rickly was additionally diagnosed with epilepsy. Problematic allergic reactions to his medication eventually culminated in May 2004 on-stage during their performance at California's Coachella Festival; the band's set was cut short as Rickly began coughing up blood and was unable to continue. After he recovered, the guys hopped back on the road for a full U.K. tour. Still unhappy, Thursday felt a responsibility to finish out their existing tour commitments, with that summer's Warped to be their final run. However, issues between the bandmembers somehow worked themselves out during the festival's run -- they were found having more fun playing than ever -- and the guys decided to stick together. First taking some time off for themselves, the re-energized group next headed back into the studio with producer Dave Fridmann (the Flaming Lips, Mogwai). A City by the Light Divided, the album that almost never was, appeared in May 2006. A tour supporting both the album and the Shirts for a Cure organization followed with openers that included Minus the Bear and mewithoutYou. ~ Johnny Loftus & Corey Apar, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Anael Biography: Although French Canadian vocalist Anael has a lushly orchestrated sound that's obviously indebted to Enya, she isn't nearly as influenced by Celtic folk, preferring to draw inspiration (and,...
Fastball Biography: Although it's tempting to lump the Austin, Texas trio Fastball (Miles Zuniga on guitar and vocals, Tony Scalzo on bass and vocals, and Joe Shuffield on drums) in with all the bands that sound similar...
Labyrinth Biography: Italian power metal band Labyrinth formed in 1991, comprising singer Joe Terry, guitarists Olaf Thörsen and Anders Rain, bassist Chris Breeze, keyboardist Ken Taylor, and drummer Frank Andiver...
Sharpshooters Biography: A collaboration between Seattle, WA, DJs Mr. Supreme (real name Danny Clavesilla) and Sureshot (real name Shane Hunt), the Sharpshooters produce sample-heavy down-tempo hip-hop and dance tracks. The...
Low Biography: Formed in Duluth, MN, in 1993, Low was perhaps the slowest of the so-called "slowcore" bands -- delicate, austere, and hypnotic, the trio's music rarely rose above a whisper, divining its dramatic...
Bt Biography: His concept of epic house inspired by the classical training he received from an early age, Brian Transeau revitalized the British dance community in the mid-'90s and provided a point of entry for...
Shadowfax Biography: One of new age electronic music's earliest and best-known proponents, Shadowfax was formed in Chicago in 1972 by saxophonist Chuck Greenberg, guitarist G.E. Stinson and bassist Phil Maggini....
Dark suns Biography: With a sound inspired in equal parts by the progressive death metal of Sweden's Opeth, and the orchestrated gothic death/doom of November's Doom and early Paradise Lost, Dark Suns emerged from the...