Rival Schools was formed in New York City in 1999 by Walter Schreifels, former Quicksand frontman, who served as lead vocalist and guitarist; the band also featured Cache Tolman on bass, Sam Siegler on drums, and Ian Love on guitar. The group’s breakthrough came with the 2001 EP Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing and the single "Good Things", which received significant MTV rotation. In 2001 the full‑length album United By Fate was released through Island Records, produced by Luke Ebbin, and it established the band’s presence in the post‑hardcore and alternative rock scenes. After touring the United Kingdom and the United States, the band disbanded in 2003 following internal changes and the departure of Ian Love. The group re‑formed in 2008, performing at major festivals such as Soundwave and Download, and released Pedals in 2011 on Photo Finish Records; the single "Shot After Shot" preceded the album. In 2013 the unreleased material from the early 2000s was compiled into Found, which the band promoted before their final reunion show in 2013. A 20th‑anniversary re‑issue of United By Fate was announced in 2022, accompanied by a touring schedule that included headline dates and support slots for Thursday and Narrow Head, solidifying the band’s enduring influence in American punk and post‑hardcore music.
