Rival Schools

Rival Schools - back in original line up.
O.K., let's say here's a loop, maybe you’re in it, and maybe you’re not. At any rate, we're thinking no one should be excluded from this fascinating story, the history here is deep, so whether you know your shit like the rock historian dude who breaks it down on those VH1 specials, or if you just busted your first mosh at Woodstock 2000, you should check this out.

Singer/axe strummer Walter Schreifels was the driving force behind the highly influential late 80’s New York hardcore group Gorilla Biscuits, whose album Start Today sold well over 100,000 copies on their debut indie release. He also lent his guitar and bass skills to many other groups from that scene, including straight edge heroes Youth of Today. Feeling that it was time to break out of the "punk box" chord progression he formed Quicksand in the early 90’s, and some say this band was responsible for launching a whole new music scene. With two albums released from Quicksand, Schreifels went on to produce the successful CIV debut album for Atlantic records, as well as producing a release from Hot Water Music for his label Some Records. His demos and side projects are often highly sought after items on the World Wide Web, and rumor has it, there are Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand tribute albums in the works.  If you followed his wizardry, you would find, similar to the way you might find hidden rations in a heated game of Dungeons and Dragons, that Rival Schools is Schreifels unconscious way of giving the music world yet again something refreshing.

You now ask yourself, how could one man create such magical, musical, mystery? Enter the one Cache Tolman, known to some as "Utah Slim". Armed usually with his clear Dan Armstrong bass he wreaks havoc with his Sly Dunbar-esque sound and Barry Gibb moves. Cache also has experience with the rock; his band Iceburn challenged many with numerous releases, all rarely having songs less than 15 minutes. He spent some time in CIV rocking dusty parking lots on the Warped Tour, as well as releasing his own dub album and a not to go unheard country album. He sees parallels between Rival Schools and Bruce Springsteen, and looks towards Willie Nelson for inspiration.

Drums are an important part of rock music, and Sam Siegler whose father and grandfather played drums figured it out for himself at the tender age of ten. He met Schreifels when he was 12 and the two ended up rocking together in Gorilla Biscuits, and Youth of Today; He recorded and toured the squats of the world with those groups, as well as Judge, and Krishna-core band Shelter. His band CIV kept him busy for some time with their MTV "buzz clip "Can’t Wait One Minute More.” Although doubtful that any music experience would top CIV opening up for KISS at Madison Square Garden, Sam is ready to live the Vida Loa with Rival Schools. He recently played on the debut release for friends Glassjaw, and is slowly building a caffeine addiction.

"When I first met Ian people called him, “The Prod” for prodigy because he was so talented, either that, or we all sucked," say’s Sam of guitarist Ian Love. Equipped with many hot licks and a name destined for rock, Ian Love was the missing piece to the puzzle, it was time to shellac it and hang it on the wall. He also spent time in the New York Hardcore scene, playing in bands like Burn and Die 116, but it was clear he was from a different mold.  Ian is also the proud owner of a George Forman grill and his own Pro Tools studio which was key in the development of Rival Schools, as well as the development of his own singer/songwriter creations. His backing vocals complete the 31 flavors found in a listening of their album United By Fate. Recommended to be accompanied by fine Chablis and some good old fondue.

Rival Schools went to England in February of 2000 to play their first show. They returned to Europe for a successful three-week tour in December of that year, all with nothing released. They recorded a split with ex Far frontman Jonah, for a release on Some Records the label Walter, Sam and partner Matt have been running for nearly four years.

One could say that Rival Schools whose name was originally Rival Schools United by Fate, (inspired by a video game and later shortened for legality purposes), is four totally different rockers united to rock in the name of rock. The sound if anything is refreshing in a time of crispy clean pop and redundant rap/rock, and staying true to the bands track record of making quality music, like Britney, they too could all say, "oops I did it again."