Rival Schools – United By Fate
Run for Cover Records
Two decades ago, Rival Schools released United by Fate, a debut so finely tuned, so emotionally raw, it refused to be pinned down. Now, 24 years later, Run For Cover Records has given this post-hardcore gem a second life—pressed to gorgeous green vinyl and packaged with an exclusive photobook. It’s more than a reissue; it’s a time capsule reopened, recharged, and ready to burn all over again.
Back in 2001, United by Fate felt like a strange outlier—too melodic for hardcore purists, too heavy for the emo kids, too cerebral for radio rock. But that’s exactly why it lasted. It walked a tightrope of hooks and grit, led by Walter Schreifels, a hardcore architect who’d already helped shape Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand. From the opening riff of “Travel by Telephone” to the slow-burn closer “Hooligans for Life,” Rival Schools balanced muscle and melody like no one else in their class.
The remastered edition makes the details sharper, the emotions louder. Guitars shimmer and punch in equal measure, and Schreifels’ voice—still youthful, still defiant—cuts through with intent. The reissue doesn’t just polish the past; it reaffirms United by Fate as a blueprint for bands trying to evolve without selling out. It’s not nostalgia—it’s proof that some records get better with time.
To celebrate, Rival Schools is heading out on a run of UK, US, and festival dates, including a stop at Las Vegas’ stacked Best Friends Forever Festival. Tickets are going fast, and seeing this album live—front to back, loud as hell—might just be the best way to hear it.
For those eager to experience Rival Schools live, the band has announced a series of tour dates. Here is the list of upcoming shows:
- May 1, 2025: Whelan’s – Dublin, Ireland
- May 2, 2025: Manchester Academy 3 – Manchester, UK
- May 3, 2025: Digital – Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- May 4, 2025: Saint Luke’s – Glasgow, Scotland
- May 6, 2025: The Wardrobe – Leeds, UK
- May 7, 2025: Royal Albert Hall – London, UK
- October 9, 2025: Pappy + Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA, USA
- October 10, 2025: Best Friends Forever Festival – Las Vegas, NV, USA
