United By Images; Thursday (Geoff Rickly)

I was heading towards the cashier when "Understanding in a Car Crash" came over the speakers. I remember mentioning to the cashier how it reminded me if The Smiths had gotten together with Quicksand to make a baby.  Though I don't remember the cashiers response. I picture the counter persons eyes rolling to the back of his head as he thought 

"Why me God? Why me?" I added  Full Collapse to a stack that included Johnny Cash
and Tupac Shakur and headed home.

A few weeks later I was asked by Karen at Define the Meaning (RIP) to cover Thursday,
Rise Against and Circa Survive at Atlantic City's House of Blues. That night my wife and I had a huge dinner, hit the slot machines and watched a bunch of kids go nuts over Thursday. It was a great show and our first trip to Atlantic City since moving to New Jersey.
We've since returned for weekend jaunts, music and good food. While Rise Against continues to shape and inspire me till this day. Bands like Thursday and Circa Survive quickly greyed and faded from memory. Geoff Rickly has since formed the band
United Nations while co-founding the independent record label Collect Records.

Looking back, I was just grateful to be given the opportunity to,  not only cover the show, but to test my skills at one of the larger venues. 

James Damion

Vanishing Life - People Running / Vanishing Life

Vanishing Life, featuring Walter Schreifels, (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools)
Zach Blair, (Rise Against) Jamie Miller and Autry Fulbright (...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead) release their first single via Collect Records, a label fronted by Geoff Rickly, (Thursday, United Nations) and Norman Brannon. (Texas is the Reason)

Considering how the term "Supergroup" gets thrown around more frequently than a frisbee at a Phish concert. I'll do my best to avoid such references and stick with the music itself.
The two songs on the bands debut 7' EP feature a sound that, though not generic by any means, doesn't really stray far from the 90's Post Hardcore roots of what Walter was doing with Quicksand.
"People Running" has a nice fast paced grove to it. Highlighted by aggressive guitar leads and jangly bass.
The records B side
"Vanishing Life" sticks to the fast paced rhythm.
Vanishing Life's debut took a few listens to sink in. Initially sounding a little too polished and corporate for my tastes. However, after several or so flips of the record. I found myself slowly warming up to it. I think I'll have to wait until their full length before I make any serious judgements. Until then, the juries still out. I managed to snag on of the first 500 copies which come on transparent w/blue haze vinyl. Mint (700 copies available.) and Black (800) are also available. Digital downloads of the record have not yet been made available, so stay posted. Please note that the cost for this 2 song EP, seven dollars, plus shipping, seems criminally overpriced. While I can't come up with any reasoning behind it. I think that's a bit steep. Choose wisely. James Damion