By Christopher Byrne
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Thursday |
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Thursday was formed in 1998 in New Brunswick, NJ by longtime friends Geoff Rickly (vocals), Tom Keeley (guitar), Steve Pedulla (guitar), Tim Payne (bass), and drummer Tucker Rule.
The band started out playing basement and backyard parties for friends, eventually putting together a solid local following. This led to some high profile opening gigs with acts like At The Drive-In, Boy Sets Fire, and Hot Water Music.
Soon after, record labels began to take an interest, and in 1999 Thursday signed a deal with the New York independent label Eyeball Records. Later that year, Thursday's first album, Waiting, was released and the band's popularity quickly rose, drawing them attention from outside of the New Jersey area. Acclaimed Chicago-based hardcore punk label Victory Records eventually signed Thursday, and their second release, Full Collapse, was in record stores in 2001.
On Full Collapse, Thursday combined the hardcore metal of Quicksand with the melodic emo of Sunny Day Real Estate, using slow and subdued guitars and then unleashing them in a furious assault. The band's commitment and energy shine through on the record along with their sincerity. Constant touring and opening for bands like Sparta and Saves The Day helped spread positive word of mouth. Soon, Thursday was playing sold-out shows to legions of devoted fans. The band landed a spot on the main stage of the 2002 Warped Tour, and radio and MTV2 supported the single, "Understanding In A Car Crash."
In the midst of all the critical and commercial attention, Thursday signed with Island Records. The band started writing and recording their third album, War All The Time, due out this fall, sticking close to their roots. Thursday infuses the sounds of aggressive, hardcore punk and melodic rock with vulnerable lyrics enabling them to strike a cord with the listener. The songs from their new album are more complex and filled with harmonic distortion. Their first single, "Signals Over The Air," has already impacted radio airplay.
For more information on Thursday, please check out the band's official website.
