No Devotion
{{Short description|Welsh rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = No Devotion
| image = Thursday @ Claremont Showgrounds (5 3 2012) (7005619497).jpg
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = {{plainlist|
- Pontypridd, Wales
- Cardiff, Wales
}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Alternative rock{{cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/thursday-tour-dates-2022-cursive-jermy-enigk-appleseed-cast/|title=Thursday Announce 2022 Tour With "Dream Lineup" of Veteran Emo Acts|publisher=Loudwire|last=Trapp|first=Philip|date=November 12, 2021|access-date=April 30, 2022}}
- post-punk{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1832348/stream-no-devotion-permanence/news/|title=Stream No Devotion Permanence|publisher=Stereogum|last=Siregar|first=Cady|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=April 30, 2022}}
- indie rock{{cite web |url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2014/07/01/news/vocalist-geoff-rickly-and-former-lostprophets-members-form-new-band-no-devotion/|title=Vocalist Geoff Rickly and Former Lostprophets Members Form New Band No Devotion|publisher=mxdwn.com|last=Ruth|first=Jackie|date=2014-07-01|access-date=April 30, 2022}}
- electronic rock{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/28/no-devotion-review-lostprophets|title=No Devotion review – promising dark electro-rock|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|date=July 28, 2014|access-date=May 2, 2022}}
}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Collect
- Velocity
- Equal Vision
}}
| spinoff_of = {{flatlist|
}}
| website = {{URL|nodevotion.com}}
| current_members =
| past_members =
}}
No Devotion are a Welsh rock band formed in Pontypridd and Cardiff in 2014. The group is currently composed of American vocalist Geoff Rickly of the band Thursday, along with Stu Richardson and Lee Gaze, former members of the Welsh band Lostprophets.
The band's debut album Permanence, produced by Dave Fridmann, was released in 2015 and was supported by four singles: "Stay", "10,000 Summers", "Addition", and "Permanent Sunlight". Drummer Luke Johnson's departure was announced in early 2015, with former Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong recording the rest of the drums for the album.
While the band was mostly inactive beginning in 2016, a second album, No Oblivion, was announced in 2022 after being discussed for years. Before the album was released, rhythm guitarist Mike Lewis, drummer Luke Johnson, and keys/synth player Jamie Oliver left the band.
The band signed to Velocity Records in 2021. Prior to this, the band was signed to Rickly's Collect Records, which folded after it was revealed that convicted pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli was a major investor.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-13 |title=No Devotion Announce New Album No Oblivion, Share Video for New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/no-devotion-announces-new-album-no-oblivion-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
History
=Formation and Johnson's departure (2014–15)=
The band formed sometime in April 2014 only a few months after Lostprophets broke up. Stuart Richardson stated in 2019 that them going straight into a new band immediately was a deliberate choice so they could sever themselves from being associated with Ian Watkins due to his sentencing for numerous sexual offences including the attempted rape of a baby.{{cite news|url=https://www.theprp.com/2019/12/06/news/ex-lostprophets-bassist-stuart-richardson-speaks-of-the-aftermath-of-being-in-a-band-with-ian-watkins-beating-him-up-on-the-vans-warped-tour/|title=Ex-Lostprophets Bassist Stuart Richardson Speaks Of The Aftermath Of Being In A Band With Ian Watkins & Beating Him Up On The 'Vans Warped Tour'|date=2019-12-06|work=The PRP|access-date=2019-12-18|language=en-GB}} After days of rumours, it was confirmed by ex-Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly in an interview on Radio Cardiff that he would be working with the remaining Lostprophets members on their new project through his own label, Collect Records, and described their new music as being influenced by Joy Division, New Order, and The Cure, although he did not confirm that he was going to be joining the band.{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Emily |url=http://www.kerrang.com/17503/geoff-rickly-working-lostprophets-members-new-band/ |title=Geoff Rickly working with Lostprophets members on new band |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014 |work=Kerrang!}}
On 1 May 2014, it was announced that the former Lostprophets members would continue to make music with Rickly replacing Watkins as their new vocalist, with Rickly saying that they "deserved a second chance."{{cite news |last=Michaels |first=Sean |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/01/lostprophets-form-new-band-with-geoff-rickly |title=Lostprophets members reunite to form new band |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last=Denham |first=Jess |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/lostprophets-reunite-to-form-new-band-without-ian-watkins-9313060.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/lostprophets-reunite-to-form-new-band-without-ian-watkins-9313060.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Lostprophets reunite to form new band without Ian Watkins |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |work=The Independent |location=London}} On 1 July, the band unveiled their début single "Stay", along with another song titled "Eyeshadow", as well as details of a short four-date tour taking place in Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Glasgow.{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/lostprophets/78239 |title=Ex-Lostprophets members announce details of first single as new band No Devotion |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=1 July 2014 |publisher=NME}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/28115480 |title=Lostprophets unveil new project No Devotion |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014 |publisher=BBC}} Ahead of the first performances, the band confirmed that they would not continue playing music from the Lostprophets discography, referring to the songs as "tainted".{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/78604 |title=No Devotion: 'We will never play Lostprophets songs again' |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2014 |work=NME}} The band's first live performances received positive reviews from critics and fans.*{{cite news |last=Owens |first=David |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/former-lostprophets-make-debut-no-7482894 |title=Former Lostprophets make their debut as No Devotion |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2014 |work=Wales Online }}
- {{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/nme/78727 |title=Former Lostprophets members thank fans for 'sticking with us' at first gig as No Devotion |date=23 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2014 |work=NME }}
- {{cite news |last=Abbit |first=Beth |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/review-no-devotion--sound-7497358 |title=Review: No Devotion @ Sound Control |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2014 |work=Manchester Evening News |location=Manchester }}
- {{cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Andy |url=http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/read/no-devotions-first-ever-london-show-old-friends-back-where-they-belong |title=No Devotion's first ever London show: "Old friends back where they belong" |date=26 July 2014 |access-date=2 August 2014 |work=Rock Sound |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812095706/http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/read/no-devotions-first-ever-london-show-old-friends-back-where-they-belong |url-status=dead }}
- {{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Steve |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/no-devotion-o2-academy-islington-london-review-former-lostprophets-find-their-way-with-new-frontman-geoff-rickly-9630597.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/no-devotion-o2-academy-islington-london-review-former-lostprophets-find-their-way-with-new-frontman-geoff-rickly-9630597.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=No Devotion, O2 Academy Islington, London, review: Former Lostprophets find their way with new frontman Geoff Rickly |date=26 July 2014 |access-date=2 August 2014 |work=The Independent }}
On 18 August 2014, No Devotion announced that they would be opening for Neon Trees on their First Things First tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/neon_trees_announce_tour_with_no_devotion_ex_lostprophets_thursday_echosmit|title=Neon Trees announce tour with No Devotion (ex-Lostprophets, Thursday), Echosmith - News - Alternative Press|website=Alternative Press|date=18 August 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-02-23}} However, the tour was abruptly cancelled as a result of a significant heart surgery for Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2014/09/neon_trees_cancel_part_of_tour.html|title=Neon Trees cancel part of tour, including show scheduled for New Orleans' Civic Theatre|work=NOLA.com|access-date=2018-02-23|language=en-US}}
On 6 October 2014, on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, Daniel P. Carter premiered the band's second single, "10,000 Summers", along with the b-side "Only Thing".{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Emily |url=http://www.kerrang.com/23576/no-devotion-post-new-song-10000-summers/ |title=No Devotion Post New Song, 10,000 Summers |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=8 November 2014 |work=Kerrang!}} Johnson left the band later that month,{{cite news|last=Hawke|first=Rhys|date=2015-01-08|title=NEWS: No Devotion drummer Luke Johnson departs from the band!|url=https://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-no-devotion-drummer-luke-johnson-departs-from-the-band/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=DEAD PRESS!|language=en-GB}} feeling that he would be unable to fulfil commitments to the band. The decision was made in 2014 but was not made public until January 2015, with former Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong completing the recording of their first album, and Phil Jenkins of Kids in Glass Houses joining as a live member.{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/30739431/former-lostprophets-drummer-quits-new-band-no-devotion |title=Former Lostprophets drummer quits new band No Devotion |date=9 January 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=BBC}}
In January 2015, they embarked on their second UK tour, taking place in Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Reading, and London, supporting Gerard Way on three of the dates.{{cite news |last=Ritchie |first=Andy |url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/no-devotion-have-join-gerard-ways-january-tour |title=No Devotion Have Joined Gerard Way's January Tour |date=19 December 2014 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=Rock Sound |archive-date=28 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928154200/http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/no-devotion-have-join-gerard-ways-january-tour |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Harry |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a617665/no-devotion-announce-january-uk-tour.html |title=No Devotion announce January UK tour |date=19 December 2014 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=Digital Spy}}
On 30 June, the band announced they would be releasing their first album, titled Permanence, in September,{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Emily |url=http://www.kerrang.com/33303/no-devotion-announce-debut-album-permanence/ |title=No Devotion Announce Debut Album, Permanence |date=1 July 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=Kerrang!}} and released two songs titled "Death Rattle" and "Addition".{{cite web |last=White |first=Caitlin |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1813505/no-devotion-addition/mp3s/ |title=No Devotion – "Addition" |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=Stereogum}}{{cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Kiki |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/listen_to_new_no_devotion_track_addition |title=Listen to new No Devotion track "Addition" |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=AltPress}}
=''Permanence'' (2015)=
{{main|Permanence (album)}}
On 17 August 2015, their fourth single "Permanent Sunlight" was released. On 29 and 30 August they played at the Reading and Leeds Festival as part of their tour with Seether and Baroness, which included the live debut of the aforementioned song. On 27 August, the band announced further dates in Germany, the UK and US. Whilst in Germany, Rickly was drugged and robbed with that night's show then cancelled.{{cite magazine | last=Payne | first=Chris | title=No Devotion's Geoff Rickly Poisoned and Robbed in Germany | magazine=Billboard | date=2015-09-28 | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6708217/no-devotion-geoff-rickly-poisoned-robbed-germany-2015-collect-records | access-date=2016-12-14}}
On 21 September, they released their debut album Permanence on SoundCloud, four days before its official release. Four days later on September 25, Permanence received its official release to positive reviews. The album went on to win the 2016 Kerrang Album of the Year award.{{cite web | author=Jen | title=Kerrang! Awards 2016: The Winners! | website=Kerrang! | date=2016-06-09 | url=http://www.kerrang.com/43773/kerrang-awards-2016-the-winners/ | access-date=2016-12-14}}
On 17 November 2015, they released a music video for their single "Permanent Sunlight".{{cite web | title=No Devotion - Permanent Sunlight (Official Music Video) | website=YouTube | date=2016-12-09 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY16_aJCP48 | access-date=2016-12-14}}
Collect Records, which No Devotion was signed to, folded after it was revealed that since-convicted pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli was secretly a major investor behind the label. As a result, Permanence was removed from streaming services and the band's future remained uncertain.
= Hiatus and ''No Oblivion'' (2016–present) =
In August 2017, Rickly's former band Thursday reunited.{{cite web |last=Camp |first=Zoe |date=March 22, 2016 |title=Thursday Reunite |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/64320-thursday-reunite/ |access-date=March 22, 2016 |work=Pitchfork}} Thursday broke up for the second time in March 2019.{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |title=Thursday to Revisit Big Albums on 2019 Tour, Then End Reunion |url=http://loudwire.com/thursday-full-collapse-war-all-the-time-2019-tour-end-reunion/ |access-date=2018-12-27 |website=Loudwire |date=30 October 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Thursday reveal dates for 2019 full-albums tour (including Saint Vitus) |url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/thursday-reveal-dates-for-2019-full-albums-tour-including-saint-vitus/ |website=BrooklynVegan|date=30 October 2018 }} Thursday reunited again in 2020.{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2020-06-16 |title='Riot Fest' To Skip 2020, My Chemical Romance, The Smashing Pumpkins, Etc. Announced For 2021 Edition |url=https://www.theprp.com/2020/06/16/news/riot-fest-to-skip-2020-my-chemical-romance-the-smashing-pumpkins-etc-announced-for-2021-edition/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}
While No Devotion was still inactive, band members announced a second album to be released by the end of 2019. In June 2019, Gaze confirmed that Oliver left the band in 2017 and Lewis would not perform on the band's second album.{{Cite web |last=Gaze |first=Lee |date=2019-06-13 |title=Jamie left two years ago to focus on his art. Mike hasn't left, he's busy working his business and didn't work on this record with us. Having said that, it's an open door and they may we'll play shows or show up on the next album. We are all friends. |url=https://twitter.com/street_trash2/status/1139115949003591680 |access-date=2019-06-13 |website=@street_trash2 |language=en}} Richardson revealed in December 2019 that No Devotion had around eight songs completed for their second album, but plans for the album's release were still not yet finalised.
Both No Devotion and Thursday signed with Velocity Records in February 2021.{{Cite web |title=Thursday |url=https://velocityrecords.com/collections/thursday}}{{Cite web |title=No Devotion |url=https://velocityrecords.com/collections/no-devotion}} Gaze confirmed Lewis' departure from the band via Twitter by changing his biography to reflect being one-third of the band.{{Cite web |title=Lee Gaze Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/street_trash2}}
On 6 June 2022, Permanence was re-released on streaming sites under Velocity Records. On 12 July, "Starlings", the first single from their newly announced second album No Oblivion, was released. On 16 August the band's second single "Repeaters" was released. On 16 September the album "No Oblivion" was released.
Styles and influences
Lead singer Geoff Rickly has described their music as reminiscent of bands such as The Cure, Joy Division and New Order.
Band members
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Current members
- Geoff Rickly – lead vocals (2014–present)
- Lee Gaze – lead guitar, backing vocals (2014–present), rhythm guitar (2017–present)
- Stuart Richardson – bass, backing vocals (2014–present), keyboards, programming (2017–present)
Former members
- Luke Johnson – drums, percussion (2014–2015)
- Jamie Oliver – keyboards, programming, vocals (2014–2017)
- Mike Lewis – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–2017)
{{col-2}}
Touring members
- Philip Jenkins – drums, percussion (2015–2017)
- Andrew King – drums, percussion (2022–present)
Session musicians
- Matt Tong – drums, percussion (2014–2015)
{{col-end}}
Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
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id:Lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar,_backing_vocals
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id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals
id:Keys value:purple legend:Keyboards,_programming
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion
id:Tour value:yellow legend:Touring_member
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
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bar:Gaze text:"Lee Gaze"
bar:Lewis text:"Mike Lewis"
bar:Richardson text:"Stuart Richardson"
bar:Oliver text:"Jamie Oliver"
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bar:Jenkins text:"Philip Jenkins"
bar:King text:"Andrew King"
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bar:Oliver from:start till:12/12/2017 color:Keys
bar:Oliver from:start till:12/12/2017 color:Vocals width:3
bar:Johnson from:start till:09/01/2015 color:Drums
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Discography
{{Infobox artist discography
| Artist = No Devotion
| Studio = 2
| Singles = 6
| Music videos = 5
}}
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details ! Title ! Details |
| scope="row"| Permanence
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| No Oblivion
|
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row"| "Stay"
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | rowspan="4"| Permanence |
|---|
| scope="row"| "10,000 Summers" |
| scope="row"| "Addition"{{cite web|url=https://nodevotion.bandcamp.com/album/addition|title=Addition {{!}} No Devotion|work=No Devotion|access-date=30 September 2015}}
| rowspan="2"|2015 |
| scope="row"| "Permanent Sunlight"{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/permanent-sunlight-mr0004460048|title=Permanent Sunlight - No Devotion {{!}} Release Info|work=AllMusic|access-date=3 March 2017}} |
| scope="row"| "Starlings"
| rowspan="2"| 2022 | rowspan="2"| No Oblivion |
| scope="row"| "Repeaters" |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of music videos ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Director(s) !Ref. |
| scope="row"| "Eyeshadow"
| 2014 | Liza de Guia |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Permanent Sunlight"
| 2015 | Liza de Guia y Geoff Rickly |
| scope="row"| "Starlings"
| rowspan="3"| 2022 | Unknown |
| scope="row"| "Repeaters"
| Liza de Guia |
| scope="row"| "No Oblivion"
| David Brodsky |
Awards
= ''[[Kerrang!]]'' awards =
{{awards table}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2016 || Permanence|| Best Album || {{won}}
|}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://nodevotion.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2014 establishments in Wales
Category:Musical groups established in 2014
Category:British rock music supergroups
Category:Welsh alternative rock groups
Category:Rock music groups from Cardiff
Category:Equal Vision Records artists
Category:Welsh post-punk music groups
Category:Welsh indie rock groups