Rye Coalition began from a desire between Jersey City high school kids Jon Gonnelli (guitar) and Ralph Cuseglio (vocals) to form a band.
Taking a cue from local hardcore acts like Merel in their writing, the band (simply called Rye at the time) played chaotic, distorted songs with screamed vocals and more emphasis on dynamics than speed.
The Dancing Man, as well as Rye's energetic live performances, caught the interest of local New Jersey label Troubleman Unlimited Records, who offered to press a 7-inch for the band.
The record, entitled Teen-age Dance Session, featured three songs and garnered the band further attention in the independent music scene.
In 2001, the band signed a deal with independent label Tiger Style, and recorded their third LP, On Top, this time working with respected engineer Steve Albini.
The record showcases a synthesis of those styles: arena rock guitar riffs and direct, often humorous, lyrics coupled with off kilter rhythms and distorted basslines.
The label had a history and reputation of helping up-and-coming bands receive more widespread attention and radio play (they had recently added such acts as Jimmy Eat World and Saves the Day to their roster), and Rye Coalition was able to maintain full creative control of their music.
Rye Coalition took to the road during this time, relishing the opportunity to play the new songs live while struggling to get their record released properly.
An opening slot touring with The Mars Volta and Queens of the Stone Age garnered them further attention, but by 2005, the band had realized that Interscope had no intention of releasing their album.
[4] By the end of 2005, the band had proceeded with mixing and mastering the album (again with help from Grohl), and decided to title the record Curses, in reference to their recent debacle with the label.
By the time Curses was ready for release, it had expanded to also include a bonus DVD of the band's trials and tribulations while making the album.
The new songs all but abandon Rye Coalition's early post-hardcore sound in favor of punchy, straight-head hard rock.
[5][6] On July 4, 2021, on an appearance on the Protonic Reversal podcast, Dave Leto revealed that Rye Coalition were playing together again and planning on recording and releasing new material.