Following the disbandment of alternative/emo band Thursday, in 2013, vocalist Geoff Rickly formed the hardcore supergroup United Nations. The band is decidedly more aggressive and deeply rooted in punk than was Thursday. Rickly took time to answer some questions about the band via email.
United Nations is a big departure from Thursday. How did United Nations form?
When members of Thursday wanted to go in a more subdued direction after War All The Time, I wanted an outlet for the more aggressive sensibilities I was feeling. Couple that [with] frustration over people shooting down my most radical ideas for Thursday because the scale of the proposal was too grand. That was the recipe for United Nations.
The band's second LP, The Next Four Years, was just released. How was the recording process different than for the first record?
We had solidified a steady touring line-up and put new energy into the band before recording the new record. We tried to split up the writing process in new ways. I stopped being the principal songwriter. Now I concentrate on lyrics and presentation and let the real musicians write the music.
What plans are in place to support The Next Four Years?
Playing places that we've never been to yet, like the West Coast, and doing some large-scale art installations.
