We Are the Union (Ska punk)

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. 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." 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. 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. Adapted from Bandcamp, Spotify, Tumblr and YouTube Who We Are (2007) Great Leaps Forward (2010) You Can't Hide The Sun (2012) Self Care (2018) Ordinary Life (2021) 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) The Grow Up Or Shut Up EP (2006, out of print) 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 Reade Wolcott – guitar, lead vocals (2005-2013, 2015-present) Brandon Benson – bass, backing vocals (2005-2013, 2015-present) Ricky Weber – lead guitar (2008-2013, 2015-present) Jer Hunter – trombone, backing vocals (2015-present) Devan Bentley - drums (2022–present) Emily Williams – tenor saxophone (2022–2024) Brent Friedman – drums (2015-2022) 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 "We Are the Union -- Audiotree". Retrieved January 26, 2021 – via Audiotree. "Wannabe Reviews We Are The Union's 'Self Care' - Glide Magazine". Retrieved December 28, 2020 – via Glide Magazine. In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on Self Care, the punk and ska band We Are The Union, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. Mandell, Xan (November 5, 2014). "Interviews: Reed Michael Wolcott (We Are The Union)". Punknews.org. Retrieved January 8, 2021. "We Are the Union - You Can't Hide The Sun". Retrieved January 8, 2021 – via punknews.org. "We Are the Union - The Gun Show Must Go On". Retrieved January 8, 2021 – via punknews.org. "We Are The Union : 1 of 8". Retrieved December 17, 2020 – via Tumblr. Unhappy with the current state of ska music, We Are The Union decided to stick out their own necks and tried to change things for the better in the summer of 2005. Getting a paycheck is not on their agenda. Instead of following typical ska punk conventions, WATU takes a harder-nosed approach to the genre. With influences ranging from Philadelphia/New Jersey favorites Lifetime and Kid Dynamite, and bands like Slapstick and This Is A Standoff, they rage with the best of them while still retaining a heightened sense of melody. Their love for fast music, horns and their incredibly short attention spans are a simple explanation for why WATU sound the way they do. "We Are The Union Interview". Event occurs at 3:15. Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via YouTube. "Break-ups: We Are the Union (2005-2013)" – via punknews.org. "We Are the Union "Who We Are" Vinyl Re-Issue". Bad Time Records. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Schultz, Brian (May 17, 2010). "We Are the Union - Great Leaps Forward". Alt Press. Retrieved January 26, 2021. "Album Premiere: We Are the Union, "You Can't Hide the Sun"". Alt Press. October 9, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Mandell, Xan. "Interviews: Reed Michael Wolcott (We Are the Union)". Punk News. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Chiasson, Alex (May 2, 2015). "We Are the Union Premiere Two New Songs, Announce "Keep It Down" EP". Boston Ska (dot) net. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Hudson, Nick. "Gainesville musician runs successful "Skatune Network" YouTube channel". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved January 26, 2021. "We Are the Union -- Audiotree". Retrieved January 26, 2021. Sacher, Andrew. "We Are the Union deliver super catchy ska-punk on new single "Your Way, Your Time"". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Sacher, Andrew. "We Are The Union announce 'Ordinary Life' LP – BV-exclusive vinyl pre-order & new song!". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved April 23, 2021. Stratis, Niko (April 23, 2021). "Dysphoria Dies at MAGFest: We Are the Union's Reade Wolcott Comes Out As Trans". SPIN. Retrieved April 23, 2021. We Are The Union [@wearetheunion]; (November 28, 2022). "brent's last shows are this weekend in pomona and phoenix. come give him the sendoff he deserves! we're sad to see him go, but thankful he'll still be a big part of the team behind the scenes. who are we gonna see?? #ska #punk #wearetheunion #skapunkdaily #antiflag" – via Instagram. "20 NEW SKA Releases in 2020". Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via YouTube. "Music | We Are The Union". Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Bandcamp. "Video | We Are The Union". Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Bandcamp. "We Are The Union, Spotify" – via Spotify. "Releases | We Are The Union". Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Tumblr. "We Are The Union - YouTube". Retrieved January 29, 2020 – via YouTube. "We Are The Union - Topic - YouTube". Retrieved January 29, 2020 – via YouTube. "Who We Are | We Are The Union" – via Bandcamp. "We Are The Union - Who We Are (Full Album)". Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via YouTube. "We Are The Union – Who We Are (Full + Bonus Track)". Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via YouTube. "We Are The Union | WMUC's Entirely Smooth". Retrieved December 28, 2020 – via entirelysmooth.wordpress.com. I absolutely love WATU, and you'll find that out very quickly by either listening to the show or poking around this site. Just a great combination of ska, punk and hardcore, these guys have a huge potential to break out soon. Great Leaps is also a phenomenal record that should be picked up by any fan of ska or punk "Great Leaps Forward | We Are The Union" – via Bandcamp. "You Can't Hide the Sun". Spotify. October 16, 2012. "You Can't Hide the Sun, by We Are the Union". "Self Care - album by We Are The Union". October 2018 – via Spotify. "Self Care | We Are The Union" – via Bandcamp. "We Are The Union - Grow Up Or Shut Up". Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via YouTube. Off their first EP "Grow Up or Shut Up." "You Can't B-Side The Sun | We Are The Union". Retrieved May 7, 2020 – via Bandcamp. "Keep It Down by We Are The Union on Spotify". May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2020 – via Spotify. "We Are