* Walter Schreifels - vocals, guitar
* Cache Tolman - bass
* Sam Siegler - drums
* Ian Love - guitar (left in 2002)
The band decided to start a series of EPs where multiple groups form a single band and they looked to Jonah Matranga formerly of Far, New End Original and Gratitude. The lone result was titled Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing, released on 24th July 2001. Their full-length album titled United By Fate was released on 28th August the same year on Island Records. Shortly after the release of United By Fate, the band released their first single, Used for Glue. The second single released from the album was Good Things. Both releases enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV, both in the US and UK.
Ian Love left the band in 2002, and played as part of an Experimental-Rock band named Cardia, releasing an eponymous album in 2003.
A second album was expected for spring/summer 2003, but it did not surface. However, the master tapes of the album were leaked onto the internet, comprised of eleven tracks:
01- Just a Second
02- The Perspective Reach
03- I Don't Know
04- Your Answer
05- See What You Got
06- Looking
07- Don't Change
08- Shared Information
09- Surrendering Position
10- Seems So Real
11- Get Out of This Place
Rival Schools parted ways in September 2003. Schreifels formed a new band called Walking Concert, releasing an album in 2004. The second album will now be released sometime in 2006.
Sammy Siegler joined Nightmare of You and briefly provided percussion for Limp Bizkit.
The band reformed for shows in Summer 2008 and a new album is expected.
The band was originally named Rival Schools United by Fate, after a video game, but due to legal reasons had to change their name to just Rival Schools.
Undercovers On
Rival Schools Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But faster than you could see
It's not like I noticed
I wouldn't be the first one you let in
The same person that you know would forget to be honest
I might be the furthest from your mind
Whatever you told me somehow you sold me on
I want to believe it 'til I see later on
Can this racket go on another year
Overconfident, maybe
You're still here
Misplaced my fear
Whatever you told me, somehow you sold me on
I want to believe it 'til I see later on
You cross the other way
And hope I didn't see you
I start calling out your name
Cause I want to meet you again
Don't know why you say you're doing fine
That's not what it looks like
Something doesn't feel right
You're undercover's on
You're acting kind of warm
But soon you've got to leave
There's something you need
I'm not invited to go
Those people that you know
Well, they don't care about you
Could live easily without you
In Rival Schools' song "Undercovers On," the singer describes the gradual realization that someone they care about has been lying to them, and that their true emotions and intentions have been hidden behind a facade. The singer has noticed inconsistencies in this person's behavior, but has continued to trust them despite their gut feeling that something is off. The chorus brings up the idea of "undercovers" or secretive behavior, and suggests that the person in question is not being genuine and is covering up their true self. The bridge expresses a desire to reconnect with this person, but acknowledges that they may not be welcome in their life. The song leaves the listener with a sense of betrayal and confusion, wondering if they too have been blinded by someone's lies.
The lyrics of "Undercovers On" are likely about a personal relationship, but they have also taken on new meaning in recent times with the increase in online disinformation and the rise of "fake news." The idea that someone can present themselves as one thing while hiding their true motives has become more prevalent in society, and this song captures the feeling of being misled and manipulated.
Line by Line Meaning
Crept on you slowly
I approached you gradually and cautiously
But faster than you could see
However, I moved quicker than you could notice
It's not like I noticed
I didn't realize I was doing it
I wouldn't be the first one you let in
I'm not the first person you've allowed into your life
The same person that you know would forget to be honest
You're aware that I have a tendency to lie or deceive
I might be the furthest from your mind
You probably aren't thinking much about me
Whatever you told me somehow you sold me on
Despite my reservations, I believed what you said
I want to believe it 'til I see later on
I hope what you said is true, but time will tell
Apparition counterfeit
Illusionary or fake
Can this racket go on another year
Is this game we're playing sustainable for much longer?
Overconfident, maybe
Perhaps I'm too sure of myself
You're still here
You haven't left yet
Misplaced my fear
I've lost track of what I was afraid of
You cross the other way
You avoid me and go in a different direction
And hope I didn't see you
You wish to avoid my notice
I start calling out your name
I call your name, hoping to get your attention
Cause I want to meet you again
I desire to see you one more time
Don't know why you say you're doing fine
I don't understand why you claim to be doing well
That's not what it looks like
Your actions suggest otherwise
Something doesn't feel right
There's a sense of unease or disquiet
You're undercover's on
You're being secretive or deceptive
You're acting kind of warm
You're behaving in a friendly way
But soon you've got to leave
However, you have to depart soon
There's something you need
You have an ulterior motive or objective
I'm not invited to go
I'm not included or welcome
Those people that you know
The individuals you associate with
Well, they don't care about you
They don't truly value or care about you
Could live easily without you
They wouldn't be troubled if you weren't present
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WALTER ARTHUR SCHREIFELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind