We Are the Union is an American ska punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, formed in 2005. The band has had many lineup changes since its inception, with vocalist/guitarist Reade Wolcott and bassist Brandon Benson as the only remaining original members. As of 2022, their live lineup often features guest horn players and touring members.
History
Early years and hiatus (2005–2013) The band formed in August 2005 in Ann Arbor, Michigan due to members being "unhappy with the current state of ska music." Their debut album, Who We Are, was released in 2007.
Who We Are would be followed by albums Great Leaps Forward in 2010 and You Can't Hide the Sun in 2012. In 2013, We Are the Union announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus, stating: "We've decided to take a hiatus from active status. […] We were a band. Maybe someday we will be again. We've had some amazing times, and we truly appreciate those of you who've contributed to our existence. We've never been a supercool hype band or uberpunx beardy band, so we thank each and every one of you who listened to our music over the years."
Return, Self Care, and Ordinary Life (2015–present) The band returned from hiatus in 2015, with Jer Hunter of the YouTube channel Skatune Network joining the band on trombone. They released their fourth studio album, Self Care, in 2018. Following this album release, the band appeared on Audiotree, and released new singles in 2020.
In April 2021, We Are The Union announced a new album, Ordinary Life, to be released on June 4, 2021, via Bad Time Records. Along with the album announcement, lead vocalist Reade Wolcott came out as a trans woman, with much of the album exploring topics surrounding her transition.
In November 2022, it was announced that drummer Brent Friedman would be leaving the group.
Influences and musical style We Are the Union cites Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Slapstick, Less Than Jake, and This Is A Standoff as influences. More recently, they have been influenced by indie pop and pop music.
Discography Adapted from Bandcamp, Spotify, Tumblr and YouTube
Studio albums Who We Are (2007) Great Leaps Forward (2010) You Can't Hide The Sun (2012) Self Care (2018) Ordinary Life (2021)
Extended plays The Grow Up Or Shut Up EP (2006, out of print) The Gun Show Must Go On (2009, digital only) Graveyard Grins (2011, digital only) You Can't B-Side The Sun (2014) Keep It Down (2015)
Singles As lead artist YearTitleAlbum2015"Call In Dead"2018"What's Wrong With Me?""A Better Home"2020"Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" rowspan="6" "Your Way, Your Time""You're Dead / Vampire Ska" (Norma Tanega/Horny Toad cover)"I'm Working Retail For Christmas" 2021"Fresh Fruit for Rotting Punk Rock Stars""Rasputin" (Boney M. cover)"Morbid Obsessions" "Boys Will Be Girls""Make It Easy""Sound System" (Operation Ivy cover; ft. Eve 6) rowspan="3" 2022"OHMYGOD" (Eichlers cover)"Yr Always Alone (On Christmas)"
As featured artist YearTitleAlbum2021"Set It All On Fire" Super Gwario Kart"2 OF US"
Demos The Grow Up Or Shut Up EP (2006, out of print)
Live albums Title Album detailsWe Are The Union on Audiotree Live Released: 2019 Label: Self-released, Audiotree Format: Digital download, streaming
Music videos +YearSongDirectorRef2008"This is My Life (And It's Ending One Minute At A Time)"Tyler Capehart2012"We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat"Tyler Capehart, Joelle Andrés2015"Call In Dead" (lyric video)We Are the Union2018"A Better Home" (lyric video)"Dust on the Hourglass" (acoustic in-studio)"What's Wrong With Me?" (lyric video)2020"Your Way, Your Time"Chris Graue"Pre-Expatriate""You're Dead / Vampire Ska""I'm Working Retail For Christmas"2021"Fresh Fruit For Rotting Punk Rock Stars""Rasputin""Morbid Obsessions""Boys Will Be Girls""Make It Easy""Sound System"2022"OHMYGOD"Reade Wolcott"Surfing on the Waves of Caffeination"Chris Graue"December"Rae Mystic"Yr Always Alone (On Christmas)"
Compilation appearances Fall Sampler 2012 (2012, Paper and Plastick Records) Features the track "Dead End" from You Can't Hide The Sun 2013 Summer Sampler (2013, Paper and Plastick Records) Features the track "Dust on the Hourglass" also from You Can't Hide The Sun
Band members Current members Reade Wolcott – guitar, lead vocals Brandon Benson – bass, backing vocals Ricky Weber – lead guitar Jer Hunter – trombone, backing vocals Devan Bentley - drums
Former members Emily Williams – tenor saxophone (2022–2024) Brent Friedman – drums Jim Margle – drums Charlie Held – drums Trey Cook – drums John Ryan Jr. – saxophone Denni Skagalera – saxophone Matt Belanger – trombone David Lackey – trombone Barney – trombone Daniel Ray – trombone Ryan Collins – guitar Noah Fenton- guitar Ben Wixson – guitar
References
External links
We Are the Union discography at MusicBrainz