Initial Records has quite the busy 2003 lined up. A quick summary:
  • The label has signed a new band, Helicopter Helicopter. They are currently recording their Initial debut "Wild dogs with X-Ray Eyes," and it should be released on May 13th.
  • Ultimate Fakebook will be releasing an CDEP on Initial later this year, containing 6 new songs as well as 3 remixes and the video of "Inside Me, Inside You" off the band's "Open Up And Say Awesome" disc.
  • The Reputation is currently working on material for their second full length for Initial, tentatively scheduled for a fall 2003 release.
  • Blood Red are also working on a follow up to their Initial debut "Hostage" - no word on whether it will be an EP or an LP.
  • Recent Equal Vision signees Black Cross [formerly known as Black Widows] will be releasing a limited edition 7" on Initial under the new name including demo versions of two songs that will appear on the album, plus an additional exclusive song. The band released their debut EP "Stops A Beating Heart" on Initial under their former moniker last year.
  • After close to 2 years of delays, Initial's "Black on Black: A Tribute To Black Flag" compilation will be coming out on March 11th. Click READ MORE for the tracklisting, which includes contributions from Planes Mistaken For Stars, Converge, Dillinger Escape Plan, and more.
  • My Chemical Romance will be releasing a limited edition 7" with deluxe packaging on Initial in the upcoming months.
  • Stephen Pederson of Cursive/The White Octave fame has formed a new band called Criteria, featuring members of Cursive, Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos. Initial will release their debut album this spring, calling it "a stripped down White Octave meeting Beck's lo-fi brilliance."
  • Lastly, the label has announced that they will be releasing a 7"/CD this summer by Roy, a new band out of the state of Washington featuring former Botch members Dave Verellen and Brian Cook as well as current Harkonen leader Ben Verellen. Initial says that the band "brings to mind favorites from the past like Dinosaur Jr., Buffalo Tom and at times even Nirvana."



    BLACK ON BLACK TRACKLISTING:

    AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: Depression
    ANODYNE: Life Of Pain
    BURNT BY THE SUN: Drinking And Driving
    COALESCE: Jealous Again
    CONVERGE: Annihilate This Week
    THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: Damaged I, Damaged II
    THE HOPE CONSPIRACY: Nervous Breakdown
    PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS: Police Story, Gimme Gimme Gimme (12" only), Wasted (CD only)
    PLAYING ENEMY: Six Pack