Identity // Control

A few moons ago, I got wind of a new Fade 7'' due to be released by Control Records. It seemed an odd but somehow perfect fit. Hardcore dudes playing not Hardcore Music put out through a primarily hardcore label. Anyone who reads this blog will know how hard I back Fade, and I got excited. Then I waited a few months, looking at the Control Records store daily and occasionally emailing the owner of Control (Geert) for updates. I think the first anyone saw of the physical release was at the Burn show in London earlier this month. Sadly I wasn't there, and so I missed out on grabbing this record early and I also missed out on that Purple Burn 7'' (serisouly, hook a mate up). Anyway, I'm here to chat about the new Fade 7'', so I guess I'll get on with it. 

Fade - Identity - Control Records - 1st Press - Blue /100 (Mailorder Exclusive) 

Technically not a mailorder exclusive as these were also sold at the Burn show, but we can look past that. This is the first time that all the tracks listed for the EP appear on the physical. Normally time constraints push a song out, but here we get two new songs and a Memorial Day cover. I don't know much about Memorial Day, other than it was post Turning Point stuff from Skip. On the basis of this song though I'll delve into that a little more. 

Back Cover // B-Side 

I think this is the strongest of the three Fade releases and it settled in almost immediately, getting repeated spins every day. Aesthetically this one does it for me more than the others too. The design just screams early '90's and a dude called Ted Del Toro handled it. I believe it's the same guy that runs Pure Fun Skate Zine but I could be wrong... 

The dust sleeve has a sticker attached where the record is numbered. I know a similar thing was done for the Beware 7'' on Red from Control. I ended up with #39/100. 

First side of the insert 

I thought Max had left the band, but he appears on this insert so again, I could be wrong? 

This side contains the lyrics / thanks / lineup at time of recording. Pretty much all you need to know. 

Fade - Identity - Control Records - 1st Press - Black /200 

Two variants make up the first press, with a total pressing of 300. I'm not going to re-photograph everything you just saw as we'd be here all day else. 

One cool thing though is how the blue 7''s came with a blue insert and the black came with this sand coloured type deal. It's the little things right? 

Both records came with this pair of stickers. I love it when a record comes with a sticker or patch relative to the release. OG sticker game is a mad thing in Hardcore that I'll never understand. I'm sure I heard about a dude on the Rev Recs board maybe back in the day paying a decent amount for an old Warzone sticker or something? It's something I'll never attempt to understand; but I can guarantee that these will stay in their respective sleeves and never be used, so I really need to question if I'm just as bad as them? 

Fade - Identity - Control Records - Test Press - Black /15 

It wouldn't be a Fade post if I didn't talk about the test press I managed to grab too right? Again, this is the first time I got all 3 records in one package. Normally I have the test waiting around for weeks before the regular copies show up due to plan backups. This is also the most I've paid for a Fade test so far, not that I mind at all. It wasn't a crazy amount by any means, and at this far in I guess I need to keep on going right? 

This test is pretty cool though. Alternate art, stamped centre labels (although you can't easily see in the photo, the centre label has the regular copy design on it too, but it's super faint or been pressed over? 

The record comes in a quarter fold sleeve and I ended up with number 11/15 as you can see here. I got an email from Geert not long after I paid for this, and he asked if I wanted everything sending over as one; or to get the standard copies and to have this shipped later once he made covers up for them. I feel like I'd been waiting months for this release (although turnaround from pre-order was super quick!) so a few extra days weren't going to hurt. 

Finally, a little group shot. This once again makes my Fade collection complete, including tests and release show covers. I'll get a full photo together and post it here sometime. 

This is the only complete collection I have that includes all tests too; and I was sweating a little over this one. It's a cool feeling to have them in my hands. 

I also grabbed this when placing an order. Back to Back handled the US press, Control handled the Euro side. This is from the 1st press and is /300 as I was too late to grab a numbered red copy (also being sold at the Burn show. I really should've skipped on work in retrospect.) 6 tracks of cool as you like Straight Edge hardcore from Philadelphia.