RSJ (band)

RSJ is a metalcore band from York, United Kingdom.

History

Started in late 2002, RSJ set about creating heavy, groovy, noise metal. The band took their name from the construction term 'Rolled Steel Joist', an 'in-joke' to referencing "a good support and a piece of heavy metal".

Their debut EP, The Day After, was released in September 2002 and paved the way forward, gaining worldwide sales through the band's website and earning them a loyal fanbase. Their high-energy live shows landed the band supports with Funeral for a Friend, Raging Speedhorn and Orange Goblin.

2004 saw RSJ sign to Hangmans Joke Recordings and released their second EP, Blueprint for a Brighter Future. The EP featured the band's debut video for the track 'Reborn' and saw their first small screen appearance on British music channel, Scuzz TV. The EP received critical acclaim and Nuts magazine hailed RSJ as "the heaviest band to come out of the UK in a long time" and helped the band gain endorsement deals with ESP Guitars and BleuBolt Streetwear. In April 2004, a member of Bullet for My Valentine's management team saw RSJ play a show in Reading and were offered a support slot to with American metal-core band, Unearth, at the Camden Barfly in London in June of that year.

In 2005, the band signed to British independent label Copro Records and saw their first full length album Reflections in B Minor. Produced by Dave Chang, the 12-track album received further stunning reviews and gave the track "Dystonia" an inclusion on Metal Hammer's monthly cover disc.

The following year, Australian grindcore band, The Berzerker chose RSJ as one of the rotating support bands for their 2006 'World of Lies' UK tour, which again gave flawless reviews of their energetic stage shows and leading to further articles in Metal Hammer (in their 'Incoming' section) and Kerrang! (as part of their Kerrang writers 'Decks of Doom' section).

In autumn 2006, the band went back into the studio to write material for their next album, Gain to Nothing. the following year, Gain to Nothing featured 12 new songs and four bonus tracks, including a remix of one of "A Theme for Murder" (from Reflections In B Minor) by The Berzerker and Akercocke guitarist, Matt Wilcock, and a tongue-in-cheek acoustic version of the band's own "Delusions of Popularity".

In October 2007, the band won the Glasswerk "Best New Metal Band" award and automatically earned them a headline slot on the Scuzz TV stage at the following year's Bloodstock festival.

Shortly after their appearance at Bloodstock, drummer Richard Hardy left the band. A month later, RSJ won the "15 Minutes Of Fame" competition which was hosted by Metal Hammer, Scuzz TV and the Radio One Rock Show - which won the band an opening slot on Slayer's third "Unholy Alliance" tour alongside Amon Amarth, Mastodon and Trivium. Dom White of theFallen, filled in while the band searched for a new drummer.

In December 2008, Greg Parsons was named as RSJ's new drummer and the band set out to write new material for their as-yet-untitled third album.

In 2010 the band opened the Jägermeister Stage at Sonisphere Festival, Knebworth, UK. They entered the studio shortly after to record demos for their as-yet-untitled third album.

The band played a few shows during the course of 2011 including opening up for Will Haven's only UK show that year at the o2 Islington Academy in London. 2012 gave RSJ's debut appearances at both Hammerfest and HRH: Road Trip to Ibiza festivals.

Spring and Summer 2013 saw the band being invited back to Hammerfest and HRH: Road Trip to Ibiza festivals for the second time and November, were announced as main support for American Headcharge. During the tour, the band released their third album "Higgs Boson".

in August 2014 the band completed writing tracks for their fourth album, "Giant Glenn" which is due for release in 2015. the band are also confirmed to play Hammerfest 7 in March 2015.

Discography

Albums

• Reflections In B Minor (2005)
• Gain To Nothing (2007)
• Higgs Boson (2013)

EPs

• The Day After (2002)
• Blueprint For A Brighter Future (2004)
• The Final Sigh/RSJ Tour Split (2005)

DVD

• Deadbolt (Promotional Video) (2007)

Tours and Supports

RSJ have shared the stage with the following artists:^[1]

• American Head Charge
• Raging Speedhorn
• Biohazard
• Funeral for a Friend
• Mnemic
• Orange Goblin
• Mínus
• Slayer, Trivium, Mastodon, Amon Amarth (opened the The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III show in Wolverhampton 28 October 2008)
• The Berzerker
• The Kills
• Kill II This
• Brutal Deluxe
• The More I See
• AntiProduct
• The Holiday Plan
• Bullet For My Valentine (When BFMV were under the name 'Opportunity In Chicago')
• Viking Skull
• The Blueprint
• Soilwork
• Gutworm
• Breed 77
• Devil Sold His Soul
• Enter Shikari
• Sylosis
• Forever Never
• Malefice
• The Chariot
• Beecher
• Architects
• Shaped by Fate
• Janus Stark

Notes