The 30th anniversary of Local H’s breakout album, As Fine As Dead, is being marked by a dispute over its re-release. While fans have been eager to revisit the 1996 alternative rock staple – previously fetching upwards of $200 on the secondary market for vinyl copies – an unexpected reissue from Long Island-based boutique label Enjoy The Ride Records has sparked a public disagreement with the band itself. The situation highlights the complexities of music rights and the challenges artists face in controlling their legacy, particularly in the vinyl revival era.
Local H learned of Enjoy The Ride’s plans to reissue As Good As Dead through a social media announcement, prompting a pointed response from the band’s official Instagram account. “Well, this is news to us,” the band wrote, adding, “Especially since we were in the process of acquiring the rights from the label for our own official reissue. But — y’know — who the fuck are we, right?” The comment quickly garnered support from fans, underscoring the desire for an artist-approved version of the album. This As Good As Dead reissue controversy speaks to a larger trend of reissues and the importance of artist control.
A Complicated Chain of Ownership
The roots of the conflict lie in the album’s history with Island Records, which was later acquired by Universal Music Group. Universal now holds the rights to As Good As Dead, and Local H had been in discussions with the company to oversee their own reissue. Enjoy The Ride Records, however, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the 30th anniversary, leveraging what its founder, Ross Shotland, describes as a “working relationship with Universal.”
Shotland told Vanyaland that Enjoy The Ride attempted to contact Local H last year to inform them of their plans, reaching out via Facebook Messenger as they couldn’t locate formal contact information for the band. Vanyaland noted that Local H’s website features a readily available contact page. This communication breakdown fueled the band’s frustration, as expressed by Scott Lucas, Local H’s frontman.
“Playing the Victim Card”
Lucas didn’t mince words when addressing Enjoy The Ride’s explanation for their outreach. “I’m not here to beat up on a small label, but it is a little annoying that they’re playing the victim card,” he said to Vanyaland. “Their defense is that they tried to get in touch with us about the reissue last year. How did they endeavor? They sent us a message via Facebook Messenger. But again – is this how people do business? Who the fuck uses Facebook Messenger as a legitimate way to get in touch with someone over business matters? Have they never heard of Google? It takes three seconds.”
Concerns Over Sound Quality and Authenticity
Beyond the issue of notification, Local H has expressed concerns about the quality of the Enjoy The Ride reissue. Lucas suspects that the original master recordings for As Good As Dead were lost in the 2008 Universal Music Group warehouse fire, a devastating event that destroyed countless master tapes. He pointed to a 2016 reissue by the band itself as evidence of this, describing it as “basically a pressing of the CD onto vinyl featuring artwork that was scanned from a CD booklet.”
Lucas fears that Enjoy The Ride’s version will be of similar quality, despite the label’s reputation for carefully curated under-the-radar reissues and its partnership with the respected Light In The Attic Records. Enjoy The Ride’s As Good As Dead 2xLP is currently available for $35.99, and Shotland has stated it will be a one-time pressing. The reissue is available in several limited-edition vinyl colors, including red, black, and white swirl, and quarter haze with splatter.
Local H’s Own Reissue Plans
Local H is forging ahead with their own, artist-approved reissue of As Good As Dead. Lucas emphasized their commitment to authenticity, stating they’ve worked to faithfully recreate the original artwork and enlisted mastering engineer Dan Coutant to deliver a high-quality remaster. “We have no idea what this unauthorized version sounds like,” Lucas said. “it wasn’t approved by us.”
While an official release date for Local H’s reissue remains unconfirmed, the band promises to share more details soon. Fans eager for a definitive version of the album are encouraged to stay tuned to Local H’s official channels for updates. The band’s dedication to a faithful and high-quality reissue underscores the importance of artist involvement in preserving their musical legacy.
The situation with As Good As Dead serves as a cautionary tale for artists and labels alike, highlighting the require for clear communication and respect for intellectual property rights in the increasingly complex world of music reissues. As the demand for vinyl continues to grow, ensuring that reissues are both authentic and high-quality will be crucial for preserving the integrity of beloved albums for generations to approach.
Local H will share further details regarding their official As Good As Dead reissue in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates and consider supporting artists directly by purchasing their officially sanctioned reissues. What are your thoughts on the Local H and Enjoy The Ride Records dispute? Share your opinions in the comments below.
