Unwritten Law
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Infobox musical artist
Unwritten Law is an American punk rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California by drummer Wade Youman. The band has undergone multiple line-up changes, with Youman the sole remaining original member – however, he has left the group twice in its three-decade history. They are best known for their singles "Seein' Red" and "Save Me (Wake Up Call)," both of which peaked in the top 5 in the US Modern Rock charts and the former topping it. The band have also toured extensively both nationally and internationally, most notably as part of the Warped Tour. The band has released seven full-length studio albums to date; their most recent, The Hum, was released in 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
Formation and early years (1990–1994)Edit
Unwritten Law was formed in Poway, California by Wade Youman back in the mid 1980s when he was twelve years old.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The band's first lineup was Youman on drums, Chris Mussey on vocals, Matt Rathje on guitar, and Craig Winters on bass, Youman described the early incarnations of the group as "kind of Punk, Clashy, and Bauhausy",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="once"/> A number of players came and went throughout the early years, by 1992 the lineup coalesced to include Youman, Rob Brewer on guitar, Jeff Brehm on bass, and vocalist Scott Russo, who joined the band after doing an impromptu performance of Fugazi's Waiting Room at a house party. They released their first cassette demo on September 9, 1992, known as Six Song Demo.<ref name=point>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The lineup changed when Brehm left and was replaced by John Bell, with this lineup the band recorded and released the 7" vinyl single Blurr in 1993, which was released by local label Red Eye Records, Steve Morris was then recruited on second guitar,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Unwritten Law quickly established themselves in the prolific San Diego music scene of the early 1990s that also included groups such as Blink-182, Agent 51, Buck-O-Nine, Sprung Monkey, One by One, Drive Like Jehu, and Rocket from the Crypt.
In 1994 the band recorded their first album, Blue Room, which established their early sound of fast-paced punk rock and gave them the opportunity to build their reputation by playing local shows in and around the San Diego area. Songs such as "CPK," "Shallow," and "Suzanne" would become favorites with local fans and would remain in their live set for years to come.
Major label signing, Oz Factor (1995–1996)Edit
Blue Room attracted the attention of major labels, the band, having distribution problems, left Red Eye Records and signed a recording contract with Epic Records.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their second album, Oz Factor<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was released in 1996. The songs "Denied" and "Superman" received airplay on several southern California rock radio stations and were released as singles. Over the next year the band toured the United States with bands such as Blink-182 and Pennywise.
Interscope Records, Self-Titled Album (1997–1999)Edit
By the summer of 1997 bassist John Bell had left the band. Pivit bassist Micah Albao joined them in Seattle for the recording of their next album.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pat "PK" Kim, formerly of Sprung Monkey, would join as their new permanent bass player.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="inmusicwetrust"/>
While the band was in the studio, they were dropped by Epic, and had signed to Interscope Records after Tom Whalley heard the recordings<ref name="unwritten"/><ref name="inmusicwetrust"/> their third album, Unwritten Law would be released in June 1998. The singles "Lonesome," "Cailin," and "Teenage Suicide" became minor hits on rock radio stations.<ref name=inmusicwetrust>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the band embarked on the Vans Warped Tour, which took them across North America, Europe, and Australia. In Australia the band developed an enthusiastic and dedicated following, and they would return there over the next few years and release several singles and live recordings exclusive to the country.
Elva, Music in High Places (2000–2003)Edit
The band spent a considerable amount of time recording and preparing their next release, 2002's Elva. The album was a stylistic change of pace, deliberately moving away from their established punk rock formula and towards a more accessible hard rock sound.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The lead single "Up All Night" became somewhat popular, but it was "Seein' Red" and its accompanying music video which brought the band their greatest success, reaching No. 1 on US modern rock charts. They toured extensively in support of the album alongside bands such as Sum 41 and The Used.
In 2003 the band was invited by VH1 to film an episode of the live acoustic series Music in High Places. The invitation happened somewhat by accident, as the station was hoping to attract Jimmy Eat World but contacted Unwritten Law's management by mistake. The band recorded a set of acoustic performances in various locales at Yellowstone National Park. They prepared the recordings for release as an album, but Interscope declined to release it. The band ended their contract with Interscope<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and signed to Lava Records, who released Music in High Places as an album.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The performance was also released as a DVD entitled Live in Yellowstone. The song "Rest of My Life" from this performance received airplay on modern rock radio stations nationwide.
Here's to the Mourning (2004–2005)Edit
In March 2004, it was announced that Youman was ejected from the band due to personal and professional issues,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=once>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Youman released a statement through his website addressing his departure from the band,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web
}}</ref> In a 2014 interview with DyingScene, Youman would call the split devastating:
We were just really hateful towards each other. At that time, me and Scott couldn’t even look at each other because we hated each other so much. It was the same way with Rob at the time. But the label pretty much came in and said “look, you guys have to pick one of these members or the fucking record deal is done
Me and Scott just couldn’t see these things out. We couldn’t even look at each other. So the band decided to let me go.<ref name="DS">Template:Citation</ref>
Youman would go on to play in various groups, including The Rattlesnake Aces, Demasiado,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Underminded,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Black President.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
For the recording of their next album Here's to the Mourning drummers Adrian Young of No Doubt and Tony Palermo of Pulley joined the band in the studio. The band got along so well with Palermo that by the time of the album's release in 2005 he had joined as their permanent drummer. Much of the lyrics on the album were co-written by singer Scott Russo's girlfriend Aimee Allen, with whom he formed the side project Scott & Aimee. Allen and Linda Perry contributed to the writing of the album's lead single "Save Me (Wake Up Call)",<ref name=unwritten>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which reached No. 5 on US modern rock charts. This was followed by the single "She Says". The band's song Celebration Song was featured in the soundtracks of Need For Speed: Underground 2 and MX vs. ATV Unleashed.
In November 2004, the group was banned from CBGB's New York. New York has strict indoor smoking laws. Scott was smoking on stage and his monitors were turned off. Later in the show he lit up again and the lights were turned off. The band continued to play in the dark and Scott continued to smoke.<ref name="unwritten"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In March 2005 guitarist Rob Brewer was fired from Unwritten Law after a physical altercation on stage with Russo during a performance at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California. Russo and the other band members collectively decided to remove Brewer from the band. The band chose not to replace him and continued on as a 4-piece. They continued to tour in support of Here's to the Mourning across the United States as well as internationally.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Best of Compilation, Live and Lawless and Swan (2006–2012)Edit
Unwritten Law spent much of 2006 recording a "best of" album entitled The Hit List, which was released on January 2, 2007 by Abydos Records. It includes 17 of the band's most popular songs, most of which were re-recorded by the current lineup, as well as 2 new songs including lead single "Shoulda Known Better." Interscope also released a "best of" compilation entitled 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection which includes songs from the albums Unwritten Law and Elva. On January 3, 2007 the band performed "Shoulda Known Better" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. That July the band embarked on a North American tour in support of The Hit List, with Scott & Aimee drummer Dylan Howard filling in for roughly half the tour while Palermo stayed home with his wife, who was due to give birth.
Also during 2007, Palermo acted as fill-in touring drummer for Papa Roach. In March 2008 it was announced that Palermo had joined Papa Roach permanently.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Meanwhile, Unwritten Law, with new drummer Dylan Howard, filmed a live DVD at the Key Club in Hollywood, California in March 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The album, titled Live and Lawless, was released September 30, 2008 through Suburban Noize Records. Unwritten Law's sixth studio album, Swan, was also released through Suburban Noize on March 29, 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On January 24, 2011, Unwritten Law posted on their Myspace page the first single from their new album called "Starships and Apocalypse." They have also been confirmed to play the 2011 Warped Tour.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Guitarist Steve Morris and bassist Pat Kim left Unwritten Law at the end of their Swan Tour in 2011 due to a physical altercation between Scott Russo and Morris. This was kept silent for a few months until after the band finished touring with Warped Tour, although Morris and Kim did not tour with them. Derik Envy, formerly of Red Light Sky, and Kevin Besignano, formerly of Bullets and Octane, had become the permanent replacements for Kim and Morris, respectively.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On August 6, 2011, Youman got invited on stage to play C.P.K. at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, California.,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Youman would join the band onstage again in June 2012 to play Harmonic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Lineup changes, Acoustic (2013–2021)Edit
In 2013, Youman, returned to Unwritten Law, after reconciling with Russo. Following Youman's return, Derik Envy and Kevin Besignano both left the band, being replaced with Jonny Grill (Russo's younger brother) and Ace Von Johnson, respectively, Johnson would later be replaced by former Pivit and Fenix TX guitarist Chris Lewis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
While performing at Capitol in Perth, Western Australia on 18 May 2014, the band ignored requests to stop playing after the venue's midnight curfew had passed, forcing the venue to cut the power on stage. Frontman Scott Russo and drummer Wade Youman subsequently destroyed a hired DW Collector's Series drum kit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The band released a compilation album called Acoustic on Cyber Track Records on April 1, 2016.
On June 19, 2019 drummer Wade Youman posted on Facebook that he left the band again and was replaced on drums for four shows by RJ Shankle <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and then on January 27, 2020 Behind Crimson Eyes drummer Dan Kerby posted on Instagram that he would be filling in on drums for shows in Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> Youman returned to the band for a third time in 2021.
The Hum (2022)Edit
On April 29, 2022, the band played their first full performance in two years at Soma San Diego, during their set they were joined on stage by various artists, including members of P.O.D., Buck-O-Nine, Spray Allen, as well as singer Mickey Avalon, and original guitar players Rob Brewer and Steve Morris.<ref name="point"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The band released their seventh album, The Hum, July 29, 2022 on Cleopatra Records. It was their first album of new material in 11 years.
Band membersEdit
{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= {{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} }} Current members
- Wade Youman – drums Template:Small
- Scott Russo – lead vocals, Template:Small, rhythm guitar Template:Small
- Jonny Grill – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
- Chris Lewis – lead guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
- Scotty Mac - rhythm guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
Former members
- Chris Mussey – lead vocals Template:Small
- Matt Rathje – guitar Template:Small
- Craig Winters – bass Template:Small
- Jeff Brehm – bass Template:Small
- John Bell – bass Template:Small
- Rob Brewer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
- Steve Morris – lead guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
- Pat "PK" Kim – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
- Tony Palermo – drums Template:Small
- Dylan Howard – drums Template:Small
- Kevin Besignano – lead guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
- Derik Envy – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
- Ace Von Johnson – lead guitar, backing vocals Template:Small
Former touring musicians
- Ed Murphy – drums Template:Small
- Michael Land – drums Template:Small
- RJ Shankle – drums Template:Small
- Dan Kerby – drums Template:Small
TimelineEdit
<timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1990 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1990 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1991
Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:album value:black legend:Studio_album id:bars value:gray(0.93)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
LineData =
at:07/01/1994 color:album layer:back at:04/01/1996 color:album layer:back at:06/02/1998 color:album layer:back at:01/29/2002 color:album layer:back at:02/01/2005 color:album layer:back at:03/29/2011 color:album layer:back at:07/29/2022 color:album layer:back
BarData =
bar:Mussey text:"Chris Mussey" bar:Russo text:"Scott Russo" bar:Rathje text:"Matt Rathje" bar:Morris text:"Steve Morris" bar:Besignano text:"Kevin Besignano" bar:Johnson text:"Ace Von Johnson" bar:Lewis text:"Chris Lewis" bar:Brewer text:"Rob Brewer" bar:Mac text:"Scotty Mac" bar:Winters text:"Craig Winters" bar:Brehm text:"Jeff Brehm" bar:Bell text:"John Bell" bar:Kim text:"Pat Kimm" bar:Envy text:"Derik Envy" bar:Grill text:"Jonny Grill" bar:Youman text:"Wade Youman" bar:Palermo text:"Tony Palermo" bar:Howard text:"Dylan Howard"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
color:vocals bar:Mussey from:start till:06/01/1990 bar:Russo from:06/01/1990 till:end
color:lguitar bar:Rathje from:start till:06/01/1990 bar:Morris from:06/01/1990 till:06/01/2011 bar:Besignano from:06/01/2011 till:10/10/2013 bar:Johnson from:10/10/2013 till:05/01/2014 bar:Lewis from:05/01/2014 till:end
color:rguitar bar:Rathje from:start till:06/01/1990 width:3 bar:Brewer from:06/01/1990 till:04/11/2005 bar:Russo from:04/11/2005 till:11/01/2016 width:3 bar:Mac from:11/01/2016 till:end
color:bass bar:Winters from:start till:06/01/1990 bar:Brehm from:06/01/1990 till:06/01/1992 bar:Bell from:06/01/1992 till:01/01/1997 bar:Kim from:01/01/1997 till:06/01/2011 bar:Envy from:06/01/2011 till:10/10/2013 bar:Grill from:10/10/2013 till:end
color:drums bar:Youman from:start till:12/31/2003 bar:Palermo from:01/01/2004 till:01/28/2008 bar:Howard from:01/28/2008 till:01/01/2013 bar:Youman from:01/01/2013 till:06/30/2019 bar:Youman from:01/01/2021 till:end
color:bvocals width:3 bar:Brewer from:06/01/1990 till:04/11/2005 bar:Morris from:06/01/1990 till:06/01/2011 bar:Kim from:01/01/1997 till:06/01/2011 bar:Besignano from:06/01/2011 till:10/10/2013 bar:Envy from:06/01/2011 till:10/10/2013 bar:Grill from:10/10/2013 till:end bar:Johnson from:10/10/2013 till:05/01/2014 bar:Lewis from:05/01/2014 till:end bar:Mac from:11/01/2016 till:end
</timeline>
DiscographyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
Studio albums
- Blue Room (1994)
- Oz Factor (1996)
- Unwritten Law (1998)
- Elva (2002)
- Here's to the Mourning (2005)
- Swan (2011)
- The Hum (2022)