In a move likely designed to appeal to fans disappointed by indie punk band Rancid’s switch to Warner Bros., the group’s new album will not carry any mention of the label’s name.
The veteran act has left its long-time home of Hellcat/Epitaph Records for the release of its forthcoming album, “Indestructible,” due Aug. 26. A spokesperson for the band says Rancid will continue to be aligned with Hellcat, the label co-run by frontman Tim Armstrong and Epitaph founder/Bad Religion member Brett Gurewitz.
“It’s a unique deal that doesn’t play by the traditional record biz rules,” says the spokesperson. “It’s Rancid putting out an album on Hellcat, with the possibility of additional support from.”
An Epitaph spokesperson confirms that the remaining Hellcat bands, which include the Dropkick Murphys, the Transplants and the Slackers, will continue to be distributed by Epitaph. Additionally, Epitaph will maintain the rights to Rancid’s catalog, and will release the LP version of “Indestructible.”
In a statement, Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen says, “We have absolutely no complaints with Hellcat. Yes, we are considering additional support that Warner Bros. might be able to provide, but whatever happens, we’re sticking with Brett Gurewitz. All I care about and all I have is my music, my bandmates and my band. We are going to do whatever we need to do to survive.”
“Indestructible” was produced by Gurewitz, and is the follow-up to the band’s self-titled 2000 release. That album peaked at No. 68 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 153,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The group is currently headlining this summer’s Vans Warped Tour.
Here Is The “Indestructible” Track List:
- Indestructible
- Fall Back Down
- Red Hot Moon
- David Courtney
- Start Now
- Out of Control
- Django
- Arrested in Shanghai
- Travis Bickle
- Memphis
- Spirit of ’87
- Ghost Band
- Tropical London
- Roadblock
- Born Frustrated
- Back Up Against the Wall
- Ivory Coast
- Stand Your Ground
- Otherwise