No Devotion

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.

No Devotion
Origin
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
Past members
Websitenodevotion.com

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 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

On 1 May 2014, it was announced that the former Lostprophets members would continue to make music with Rickly replacing the disgraced Watkins as their new vocalist, with Rickly saying that they "deserved a second chance."[8][9] 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.[10][11] 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".[12] The band's first live performances received positive reviews from critics and fans.[13]

On 18 August 2014, No Devotion announced that they would be opening for Neon Trees on their First Things First tour.[14] However, the tour was abruptly cancelled as a result of a significant heart surgery for Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell.[15]

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".[16] Johnson left the band later that month,[17] 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.[18]

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.[19][20]

On 30 June, the band announced they would be releasing their first album, titled Permanence, in September,[21] and released two songs titled "Death Rattle" and "Addition".[22][23]

Permanence (2015)
Main article: 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.[24]

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.[25]

On 17 November 2015, they released a music video for their single "Permanent Sunlight".[26]

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.[5]

Hiatus and No Oblivion (2016–present)

In August 2017, Rickly's former band Thursday reunited.[27] Thursday broke up for the second time in March 2019.[28][29] Thursday reunited again in 2020.[30]

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.[31] 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.[6]

Both No Devotion and Thursday signed with Velocity Records in February 2021.[32][33] Gaze confirmed Lewis' departure from the band via Twitter by changing his biography to reflect being one-third of the band.[34]

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.[5] On August 16, the band's second single "Repeaters" was released. On September 16, 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

Discography
No Devotion discography
Studio albums2
Music videos5
Singles6

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details
Permanence
  • Released: 25 September 2015[35]
  • Label: Collect (CLTD-1014, CLTD 1014)
  • Formats: CD, DL, LP
No Oblivion

Singles
List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Stay" 2014 Permanence
"10,000 Summers"
"Addition"[37] 2015
"Permanent Sunlight"[38]
"Starlings" 2022 No Oblivion
"Repeaters"

Music videos
List of music videos
Title Year Director(s)
"Eyeshadow" 2014 Unknown
"Permanent Sunlight" 2015 Liza de Guia y Geoff Rickly
"Starlings" 2022 Unknown
"Repeaters" Liza de Guia
"No Oblivion" David Brodsky

Awards

Kerrang! awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016PermanenceBest AlbumWon

References
  1. Trapp, Philip (12 November 2021). "Thursday Announce 2022 Tour With "Dream Lineup" of Veteran Emo Acts". Loudwire. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. Siregar, Cady (21 September 2015). "Stream No Devotion Permanence". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  3. Ruth, Jackie (1 July 2014). "Vocalist Geoff Rickly and Former Lostprophets Members Form New Band No Devotion". mxdwn.com. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  4. Sullivan, Caroline (28 July 2014). "No Devotion review – promising dark electro-rock". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  5. "No Devotion Announce New Album No Oblivion, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  6. "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'". The PRP. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  7. Carter, Emily (30 April 2014). "Geoff Rickly working with Lostprophets members on new band". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  8. Michaels, Sean (1 May 2014). "Lostprophets members reunite to form new band". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  9. Denham, Jess (1 May 2014). "Lostprophets reunite to form new band without Ian Watkins". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  10. "Ex-Lostprophets members announce details of first single as new band No Devotion". NME. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  11. "Lostprophets unveil new project No Devotion". BBC. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  12. "No Devotion: 'We will never play Lostprophets songs again'". NME. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  14. "Neon Trees announce tour with No Devotion (ex-Lostprophets, Thursday), Echosmith - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  15. "Neon Trees cancel part of tour, including show scheduled for New Orleans' Civic Theatre". NOLA.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  16. Carter, Emily (6 October 2014). "No Devotion Post New Song, 10,000 Summers". Kerrang!. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  17. Hawke, Rhys (8 January 2015). "NEWS: No Devotion drummer Luke Johnson departs from the band!". DEAD PRESS!. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  18. "Former Lostprophets drummer quits new band No Devotion". BBC. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  19. Ritchie, Andy (19 December 2014). "No Devotion Have Joined Gerard Way's January Tour". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  20. Fletcher, Harry (19 December 2014). "No Devotion announce January UK tour". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  21. Carter, Emily (1 July 2015). "No Devotion Announce Debut Album, Permanence". Kerrang!. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  22. White, Caitlin (6 July 2015). "No Devotion – "Addition"". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  23. Chatterjee, Kiki (6 July 2015). "Listen to new No Devotion track "Addition"". AltPress. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  24. Payne, Chris (28 September 2015). "No Devotion's Geoff Rickly Poisoned and Robbed in Germany". Billboard. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  25. Jen (9 June 2016). "Kerrang! Awards 2016: The Winners!". Kerrang!. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  26. "No Devotion - Permanent Sunlight (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  27. Camp, Zoe (22 March 2016). "Thursday Reunite". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  28. Childers, Chad (30 October 2018). "Thursday to Revisit Big Albums on 2019 Tour, Then End Reunion". Loudwire. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  29. "Thursday reveal dates for 2019 full-albums tour (including Saint Vitus)". BrooklynVegan. 30 October 2018.
  30. wookubus (16 June 2020). "'Riot Fest' To Skip 2020, My Chemical Romance, The Smashing Pumpkins, Etc. Announced For 2021 Edition". Theprp.com. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  31. Gaze, Lee (13 June 2019). "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". @street_trash2. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  32. "Thursday".
  33. "No Devotion".
  34. "Lee Gaze Twitter".
  35. Carter, Emily (1 July 2015). "No Devotion Announce Debut Album, Permanence". Kerrang!. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  36. NO DEVOTION RELEASE SINGLE & ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM, 'NO OBLIVION'
  37. "Addition | No Devotion". No Devotion. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  38. "Permanent Sunlight - No Devotion | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
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