RPA & The United Nations of Sound

Last updated

RPA & The United Nations of Sound
Genres Alternative rock
Years active2010-2011
Labels Parlophone
Members Richard Ashcroft (vocals and acoustic guitar)
Steve Wyreman (guitar)
Dwayne "DW" Wright (bass)
Qyu Jackson (drums - live)
Rico Petrillo (keyboards and samples - live)
Past membersDerrick Wright (drums - studio)
Reggie Dozer (sound engineering - studio)
Benjamin Wright (string arrangements - studio)
Website richardashcroft.co.uk

RPA & The United Nations of Sound were a British alternative rock band formed by vocalist Richard Ashcroft, former lead singer of The Verve. Ashcroft announced the formation of the band (which is a pseudonym more than a real band) and presented the video of the first single, "Are You Ready?", on 18 January 2010 in an exclusive premiere on the NME website. [1] "Are You Ready?" was released only in the UK on 1 April 2010 in a limited edition 12" vinyl. On 9 April 2010 the band released a fanclub-only track, "Third Eye (Colombus Circle)". In the first two weeks of June, Ashcroft and his musicians completed a European tour (Ancona, Paris, Berlin, Cologne, Amsterdam, Manchester and London), [2] then they played in Tokyo and Osaka on 7–8 August 2010 during the Summer Sonic Festival 2010 [3] and also in Melbourne and Sydney respectively on 30 July and 31 July. The band played in Australia also during the Splendour in the Grass Festival in late July. [4] The band's debut album as Ashcroft's backing lineup, entitled "United Nations of Sound", was released on 19 July 2010. [5] "Born Again", the first proper single, was officially released the same day of the album as a digital download. [6]

After two months of silence, on 15 October Ashcroft releases through his website a second fanclub-only track, "Here We Go Again". On the same day the song "Are You Ready?" was released as a single also in the United States as a digital download. [7]

The album United Nations of Sound was released in the United States on 22 March 2011 under the name "Richard Ashcroft" through the record company Razor & Tie. [8] The lead single "Are You Ready?" is featured over the closing credits of the film The Adjustment Bureau , along with the new song "Future's Bright", written and performed specifically for the film's opening by Ashcroft and ten-time Oscar-nominated composer Thomas Newman. [9]

For the US release of "Are You Ready?", Ashcroft and Big Life Management commissioned Giorgio Testi for the promo – created out of live footage from a show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The video premiered on 7 February on the official website of Pulse Films, the production company. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Verve</span> English rock band

The Verve were an English rock band formed in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in 1990 by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bass guitarist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboard player Simon Tong later became a member in their first reunion only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinosaur Jr.</span> American rock band

Dinosaur Jr. is an American rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, the band was forced to change their name due to legal issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cast (band)</span> English rock band, Liverpool

Cast is an English indie rock band formed in Liverpool in 1992 by John Power and Peter Wilkinson after Power left The La's and Wilkinson's former band Shack had split. Following early line-ups with different guitarists and drummers, Liam "Skin" Tyson (guitar) and Keith O'Neill (drums) joined Cast in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Ashcroft</span> English singer-songwriter

Richard Paul Ashcroft is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their original split in 1999. Songs he wrote for the band include "Bitter Sweet Symphony", "Lucky Man", and the UK number one "The Drugs Don't Work". He became a successful solo artist, releasing three UK top-three solo albums. The Verve reformed in 2007 but again broke up by summer 2009. Ashcroft then founded a new band, RPA & The United Nations of Sound, and released a new album on 19 July 2010. Ashcroft released his fourth solo album, These People, on 20 May 2016. Ashcroft went on to release the album Natural Rebel in 2018, and the compilation of acoustic versions of his best hits, Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1, in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teenage Fanclub</span> Scottish alternative rock band

Teenage Fanclub are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Glasgow in 1989. The group were founded by Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley and Gerard Love, all of whom shared lead vocals and songwriting duties until Love's departure in 2018. As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of Blake, McGinley, Francis Macdonald, Dave McGowan and Euros Childs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Razorlight</span> English indie rock band

Razorlight are an English indie rock band, formed in 2002 in London by lead singer and guitarist Johnny Borrell. Along with Borrell, the current line-up of the band is composed of founding members Björn Ågren on guitar and bassist Carl Delemo, as well as drummer Andy Burrows. This lineup is a reunion of the lineup from the band's second and third albums.

<i>Howdy!</i> (Teenage Fanclub album) 2000 studio album by Teenage Fanclub

Howdy! is the seventh album by Scottish rock band Teenage Fanclub, released on 23 October 2000 through Columbia Records. With the addition of keyboardist Finlay MacDonald, the band wrote new material, eventually debuting some of it live in early 1999. Following this, they recorded their next album at Rockfield Studios in Wales, as well as Astoria in London, between August 1999 and March 2000. Shortly afterwards, drummer Paul Quinn left the band and was replaced by Francis MacDonald. Howdy! is an Americana and power pop album, recalling the work of the Hollies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band of Horses</span> American rock band

Band of Horses is an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle, Washington. Led by singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell, who has been the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes, the band's current line-up also includes longtime members Creighton Barrett (drums) and Ryan Monroe, alongside Matt Gentling and Brett Nash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonic Syndicate</span> Swedish metal band

Sonic Syndicate was a Swedish metalcore band from Falkenberg. They were originally influenced by Swedish melodic death metal bands such as In Flames and Soilwork, as well as American metalcore bands like Killswitch Engage and All That Remains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norma Jean (band)</span> American metalcore band

Norma Jean is an American metalcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Since their inception in 1997, numerous lineup changes have left the band with no original members. To date, Norma Jean has released nine studio albums and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2006 for Best Recording Package for their second album O' God, the Aftermath. The band's name is derived from the real name of actress Marilyn Monroe.

<i>The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities</i> 2006 compilation album by Sonic Youth

The Destroyed Room: B-sides and Rarities is a compilation album by Sonic Youth. This album contains tracks previously only available on vinyl, limited-release compilations, imports and B-sides to international singles. The tracks, which also include unreleased material, were hand-picked by the band. The album was released on December 12, 2006. A double vinyl LP edition with two extra tracks was released in early 2007 on the band's own Goofin' Records label. The cover image, as well as the album's name, is "The Destroyed Room", a 1978 photograph by Canadian artist Jeff Wall.

<i>Dream Days at the Hotel Existence</i> 2007 studio album by Powderfinger

Dream Days at the Hotel Existence is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band Powderfinger, released by Universal Music on 2 June 2007 in Australia, 19 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, and 11 November 2008 in the United States on the Dew Process label. It was released in Australia with a limited edition bonus DVD, titled Powderfinger's First XI, featuring eleven music videos spanning the band's career, from the first single, "Tail" to "Bless My Soul", the band's latest single before the release of the album. A collector's edition, including a CD and DVD, was released on 18 April 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cage the Elephant</span> American rock band from Kentucky

Cage the Elephant is an American rock band formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They moved to England and settled in London in 2008, shortly before their self-titled first album was released. The band currently consists of Matt Shultz (vocals), his older brother Brad Shultz, Nick Bockrath, Matthan Minster, Daniel Tichenor (bass), and Jared Champion (drums). The band's first album was released to much success, spawning several successful radio singles and gaining the band a large following in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It was influenced by classic rock, '90s alternative, blues, punk rock, and funk music. Lincoln Parish served as the band's lead guitarist from their formation in 2006 until 2013, when he left on good terms to pursue a career in producing.

Two Door Cinema Club are a band from Bangor, Northern Ireland. The band formed in 2007 and is composed of three members: Alex Trimble, Sam Halliday, and Kevin Baird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ready Set</span> American singer-songwriter, performer, and musician

Jordan Mark Witzigreuter, known professionally as The Ready Set, is an American singer-songwriter from Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. He is the lead vocalist and sole member of the act, using a backup band while on tour. He has released six studio albums, Syntax and Bright Lights, Tantrum Castle, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming, The Bad & the Better, I Will Be Nothing Without Your Love and Cherryland, nine extended plays and fourteen singles. He is best known for the commercially successful single "Love Like Woe" from his major label debut, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surfer Blood</span> American indie rock band

Surfer Blood is an American indie rock band from West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, currently signed to Kanine Records, formerly signed to Joyful Noise Recordings and Warner Bros. Records. The band currently consists of four members: John Paul Pitts, Tyler Schwarz (drums), Mike McCleary, and Lindsey Mills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filter (band)</span> American rock band

Filter is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, by singer Richard Patrick and guitarist and programmer Brian Liesegang. The band was formed when Patrick desired to start his own band after leaving Nine Inch Nails as their touring guitarist. Their debut album, Short Bus (1995) received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), supported by the single "Hey Man Nice Shot." After the album, the band would go through the first of many lineup changes, leaving Patrick as the only consistent member across all releases.

<i>United Nations of Sound</i> (album) 2010 studio album by RPA & The United Nations of Sound (Richard Ashcroft)

United Nations of Sound is the debut album by British alternative rock band RPA & The United Nations of Sound, Richard Ashcroft's project, released on 19 July 2010 through Parlophone. The album was released in the United States on 22 March 2011 under the name "Richard Ashcroft" through the record company Razor & Tie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personality Crisis (song)</span> 1973 single by New York Dolls

"Personality Crisis" is the lead track from the New York Dolls' self-titled debut album. It was written by Dolls lead singer David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders. An early demo version of it appears on the 1981 collection Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972.

Lastlings are an Australian electronic pop band from Gold Coast, Queensland made up of brother and sister duo Amy and Josh Dowdle. They have performed at Coachella, Spilt Milk, Splendour in the Grass, and The Plot. The duo are well known for their song "Deja Vu", which received high rotation on triple j. Lastlings supported Two Door Cinema Club on their Australian national tour.

References

  1. "Watch Richard Ashcroft's 'Are You Ready?' comeback video now - exclusive". NME. 18 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. "RPA & The United Nations of Sound European tour 2010". 3 June 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  3. "Summer Sonic 2010 lineup". 7 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  4. "Splendour in the Grass 2010 lineup". 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  5. "The album 'United Nations of Sound' released 19.07.10". 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  6. "The single 'Born Again' released 19.07.10". 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  7. "The single 'Are You Ready?' was released today in the US iTunes Music store". Facebook . 16 October 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  8. "RICHARD ASHCROFT SIGNS WITH RAZOR & TIE IN THE UNITED STATES". 2 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 October 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  9. "Are You Ready? on The Adjustment Bureau". Razor & Tie official website (Richard Ashcroft BIO). Archived from the original on 18 November 2010.
  10. "Richard Ashcroft's 'Are You Ready?' by Giorgio Testi". Pulse Films. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)