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Greatest Hits?
Greatest hits album by
As Friends Rust
ReleasedJune 4, 2014 (2014-06-04) (Japan)
December 27, 2014 (2014-12-27) (Indonesia) April 29, 2015 (2015-04-29) (Europe)
RecordedNovember 19, 1996 (1996-11-19) – February 2002 (2002-02)
Studio
  • Wisner Productions, Davie, Florida
  • Landmark Productions & Recording Studios, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Goldentone Studios, Gainesville, Florida
Genre
Length48:52 (Asia)
43:19 (Europe)
Label
  • Cosmic Note
  • D'Kolektif
  • Shield
Producer
Compiler
As Friends Rust chronology
Camden Underworld, London – 16 November 2001
(2002) 		Greatest Hits?
(2014) 		The Porch Days: 1998 to 2000
(2015)

Greatest Hits? is a compilation album by American melodic hardcore band As Friends Rust. It was originally released on compact disc by Japanese record label Cosmic Note on June 4, 2014.[5][6][7] Indonesian record label D'Kolektif released the compilation on compact cassette on December 27, 2014.[8] Dutch record label Shield Recordings re-issued the compact disc and issued a 12-inch vinyl and digital editions for the European market on April 29, 2015, though this version omitted three songs due to vinyl time constraints.[9][4][10]

The release compiles a selection of As Friends Rust recordings, hand-picked by vocalist Damien Moyal,[11] from each of the band's main releases, spanning from the demo tape in 1996 to the initial break-up in 2002. The previously-released material contained within had appeared on The Fists of Time and the split with Discount (both 1998), As Friends Rust (1999), Won (2001) and A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times (2002). The content showcases nearly every member the band has had over the years, including Moyal; guitarists Henry Olmino, Gordon Tarpley, Joseph Simmons, James Glayat and Christopher "Floyd" Beckham; bass guitarists Jeronimo Gomez, Kaleb Stewart and Thomas Rankine; and drummers Matthew Crum, Timothy Kirkpatrick and Zachary Swain.[12][13][14]

In promotion of Greatest Hits?, As Friends Rust toured Japan in 2014, accompanied by Japanese hardcore groups Endzweck and Noy; it marked the band's first live performances since 2008.[7][15] As Friends Rust played additional shows in 2015 and 2019 supporting the release, including performances at notable festivals like Groezrock in Meerhout, Belgium, Booze Cruise in Hamburg, Germany, and The Fest in Gainesville, Florida.[16][17][18][19]

Background and content

[edit]

As Friends Rust vocalist Damien Moyal toured Japan in August–September 2013 with his other band Culture, during which he met Japanese hardcore acts Endzweck and Noy.[20][21] Upon returning home to the United States, plans were quickly made for As Friends Rust to headline its own Japanese tour in 2014, supported by Endzweck and Noy.[20] Moyal then conceived Greatest Hits? as an exclusive release for the Japanese market.[7][15][17][22]

The material compiled for Greatest Hits? was recorded during six different recording sessions, spanning a period of seven years, from 1996 to 2002.[12][13][14] The recordings showcase nearly every member the band has had over the years, including Moyal; guitarists Henry Olmino, Gordon Tarpley, Joseph Simmons, James Glayat and Christopher Beckham; bass guitarists Jeronimo Gomez, Kaleb Stewart and Thomas Rankine; and drummers Matthew Crum, Timothy Kirkpatrick and Zachary Swain.[12][13][14] Notable exclusions are guitarists Stephen Looker and Peter Bartsocas (who did not record with the band), bass guitarist Guillermo Amador and drummer Alexander Vernon (both on whom recorded demos with As Friends Rust that were not included on the compilation) and vocalist Adam D'Zurilla (who did not record with the band).[8]

"Encante", "When People Resort to Name Calling" and "Ruffian", were recorded from November 19–22, 1996 at Wisner Productions in Davie, Florida with producer James Paul Wisner.[23][24] The songs featured the band's original line-up: vocalist Moyal, guitarist Henry Olmino, bass guitarist Jeronimo Gomez and drummer Matthew Crum.[25] Some of the songs had appeared on the band's demo tape, circulated to record labels in late 1996, and all three were later used on As Friends Rust's debut extended play The Fists of Time, released by Good Life Recordings in 1998 and Doghouse Records in 2000.[12][13][14]

As Friends Rust's "guy with gun" logo, discovered and adapted by Moyal in 1998. The emblem was first used on the As Friends Rust / Discount split and has since appeared on the majority of the band's merchandise, including the cover art of Greatest Hits?.

"Home Is Where the Heart Aches" was recorded in late March 1998 at Goldentone Studios in Gainesville, Florida with producer Rob McGregor.[26] The song features the band's reformed line-up with lead vocalist Moyal, guitarists Joseph Simmons and Gordon Tarpley, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Kaleb Stewart, and drummer Timothy Kirkpatrick.[12][13][14] Three members of Hot Water Music; Chuck Ragan, George Rebelo and Chris Wollard; as well as McGregor and all members of As Friends Rust, provided backup vocals on the song.[26] "Home Is Where the Heart Aches" first appeared on The Fists of Time in 1998 and was also used on the split with Discount and a Various Artists compilations by Initial Records.[12][13][14]

"Half Friend Town", "Like Strings (Spell It with a K)", "Fire on 8th and 3rd", "Coffee Black" "Scapegoat Wets the Whistle" and "Operation" were recorded on May 9, 1999 at Goldentone Studios, co-produced by Rob McGregor and As Friends Rust.[27] The songs feature lead vocalist Moyal, guitarists Simmons and James Glayat, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Stewart and drummer Kirkpatrick. "Operation" is a Circle Jerks cover.[12][13][14] All six songs originally appeared on the band's sophomore extended play As Friends Rust, released by Good Life Recordings and Doghouse Records in 1999.[28][29]

"The First Song on the Tape You Make Her" was recorded in October 1998 at Goldentone Studios with producer Rob McGregor.[30] The song features lead vocalist Moyal, guitarists Simmons and Glayat, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Stewart and drummer Kirkpatrick.[24][30] McGregor and Keith Welsh provided backup vocals on the song.[12][13][14] "The First Song on the Tape You Make Her" first appeared on As Friends Rust's split with Discount, released by Good Life Recordings in 1998, and later appeared on Doghouse Records' reissue of The Fists of Time in 2000.[12][13][14]

"Perfect Stranglers", "We on Some Next Level Shit", "Laughing Out Loud" and "Won't Be the First Time" were recorded in July 2001 at Wisner Productions in Davie, Florida and Landmark Productions & Recording Studios in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with producer James Paul Wisner.[31][32] The songs feature the band's third creative line-up with lead vocalist Moyal, guitarist Simmons, guitarist and backing vocalist Christopher "Floyd" Beckham, bass guitarist Thomas Rankine and drummer Zachary Swain.[12][13][14] Wisner and Chad Neptune provided backup vocals on the songs.[12][13][14] All four songs originally appeared on the band's debut full-length album Won, released by Doghouse Records, Defiance Records and Howling Bull Entertainment in 2001.[12][13][14]

"Born With a Silver Spoon Up Your Ass" and "More Than Just Music, It's a Hairstyle" were recorded in February 2002 at Wisner Productions, co-produced James Paul Wisner, As Friends Rust and Moyal.[31][32] The songs feature lead and backing vocalist Moyal, guitarists Simmons and Beckham, bass guitarist Rankine and drummer Swain.[12][13][14] Both songs originally appeared on the band's third extended play A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times, released by Equal Vision Records and Defiance Records in 2002.[12][13][14]

Release, packaging and promotion

[edit]
As Friends Rust performing at Shinjuku Nine Spices in Tokyo, Japan on June 12, 2014, in promotion of Greatest Hits?. One of only four shows played with drummer Joshua Williams as part of the Japan Tour 2014.

The artwork and layout for Greatest Hits? were designed by Moyal.[12][13][14] It prominently features As Friends Rust's recognizable "guy with gun" logo; an illustration which Moyal had found on a wall while walking through an alleyway in Chinatown, Boston, Massachusetts in early July 1998, while on tour with Discount.[33] Nicholas Forneris, who had previously provided photographs for As Friends Rust and Won, also contributed pictures to the release.[12][13][14]

Japanese record label Cosmic Note released Greatest Hits? on compact disc (housed in a jewel case) on June 4, 2014, a week prior to the start of As Friends Rust's Japan Tour 2014.[5][6][7] Accompanied by Japanese hardcore bands Endzweck, Noy and Nervous Light of Sunday, As Friends Rust played shows in Tokyo, Sendai and Kyoto, from June 12–15, 2014.[7][15][17] Kirkpatrick was unable to tour and was temporarily replaced by former Culture drummer Joshua Williams on all Japanese dates.[8] On December 27, 2014, Indonesian record label D'Kolektif released Greatest Hits? on compact cassette with a different layout.[8][13]

As Friends Rust performing at The Fest 14 in Gainesville, Florida on October 31, 2015, in promotion of Greatest Hits?.

Dutch record label Shield Recordings re-issued the compact disc (housed in a digipak) and issued a 12-inch vinyl edition of Greatest Hits? for the European market on April 29, 2015.[9][4][10] The European version omitted three songs, "Fire on 8th and 3rd", "Scapegoat Wets the Whistle" and "Operation", due to vinyl time constraints.[14] The vinyl's first pressing was housed in a gatefold sleeve and came on a choice of solid black, solid yellow or black and yellow swirl colors.[9]

As Friends Rust continued to promote Greatest Hits? with a handful of concerts in 2015, starting with a show at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, New York on April 30, 2015.[34][35] The band also performed at the Groezrock festival in Meerhout, Belgium on May 2, 2015,[16][17][36] and at The Wooly as part of The Fest 14 in Gainesville, Florida on October 31, 2015.[18]

Shield Recordings repressed the vinyl edition on May 9, 2019; this second pressing was housed in a standard record sleeve and was offered on an orange (announced as red and yellow swirl) color.[9] The repress coincided with new As Friends Rust concerts performed that year, including one at The Kingsland in Brooklyn, New York on April 25, 2019,[37] and two on the same day at Molotow in Hamburg, Germany on June 8, 2019, as part of the Booze Cruise Festival.[38][19]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Dying Scene[2]
Handle Me Down[10]
IdioteqPositive[11]
Mass MovementPositive[39]
Ox-Fanzine[3]
Punk Rock Theory[1]
RazorcakePositive[40]
Skartnak Webzine[36]
Some Will Never Know[4]

Greatest Hits? received mostly positive critical reviews upon release. Critics noted that the release was an excellent introduction to As Friends Rust for new listeners,[10] that it offered a good cross-section of the band's works,[3][36][39] and that it celebrated the best songs from its past releases.[1][2] The band was praised for its offering of songs with hit-potential,[10][3] and showcasing a variety of styles not many other bands can match.[2][10][3] The inclusion of "Coffee Black" was praised as an underrated classic.[4][10] Critics also distinguished a progression in style and production values during the span of the compilation, describing the first few songs as rougher,[10] heavier,[2] and screamier;[40] the middle section as more punk,[10] and melodic;[10][2][40] and the last offerings as more rock and pop-oriented.[10][2]

As Friends Rust's style was described by contemporary critics as melodic hardcore,[1][2][3][36] melodic punk rock,[4][2] Emotional Hardcore,[3] aggressive hardcore,[4] and post-hardcore.[10] Reviewers compared the band's sound to Avail,[10][2][40] Dag Nasty,[2][40] Samiam,[2] Stretch Arm Strong,[2] Shai Hulud,[36] Small Brown Bike,[36] Grade,[36] and Hot Water Music.[10] As Friends Rust's songs were described as well-written and catchy,[4][2] aggressive-progressive,[3] sharp and melody-focused,[40] and filled with sing-alongs.[2] Moyal's vocals and lyrics were lauded by critics, declaring him "nothing short of amazing",[1] and "one of the best frontman of the 90s".[4] Others opined that "lyrically, the band completely overshadows the majority of their contemporaries",[2] and " Moyal offers lyrics other hardcore bands can only dream about".[4]

Track listing

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the compilation's liner notes.[12][13][14] All lyrics by Moyal, except "Operation" by Lucky Lehrer and Roger Rogerson.

No.TitleMusicOriginal releaseLength
1."Encante"
The Fists of Time3:52
2."When People Resort to Name Calling"
  • Olmino
  • Gomez
  • Crum
The Fists of Time3:38
3."Ruffian"
  • Olmino
  • Gomez
  • Crum
The Fists of Time3:06
4."Home Is Where the Heart Aches"
The Fists of Time2:29
5."Half Friend Town"
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Simmons
  • Stewart
  • Glayat
As Friends Rust2:17
6."Like Strings (Spell It with a K)"
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Simmons
  • Stewart
  • Glayat
As Friends Rust2:15
7."Fire on 8th and 3rd" (not included on European version)
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Simmons
  • Stewart
  • Glayat
As Friends Rust0:11
8."Coffee Black"
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Simmons
  • Stewart
  • Glayat
As Friends Rust3:18
9."Scapegoat Wets the Whistle" (not included on European version)
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Simmons
  • Stewart
  • Glayat
As Friends Rust3:43
10."Operation" (not included on European version)
As Friends Rust1:40
11."The First Song on the Tape You Make Her"
As Friends Rust / Discount2:57
12."Perfect Stranglers"
Won3:02
13."We on Some Next Level Shit"
  • Simmons
  • Beckham
  • Swain
  • Rankine
Won3:34
14."Laughing Out Loud"
  • Simmons
  • Beckham
  • Swain
  • Rankine
Won3:33
15."Won't Be the First Time"
  • Simmons
  • Beckham
  • Swain
  • Rankine
Won3:01
16."Born With a Silver Spoon Up Your Ass"
  • Simmons
  • Beckham
  • Swain
  • Rankine
A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times3:01
17."More Than Just Music, It's a Hairstyle"
  • Simmons
  • Beckham
  • Swain
  • Rankine
A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times3:11
Total length:48:52

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the compilation's liner notes.[12][13][14]

As Friends Rust
Guest musicians
  • Chuck Ragan – backing vocals on (track 4)
  • George Rebelo – backing vocals on (track 4)
  • Chris Wollard – backing vocals on (track 4)
  • Rob McGregor – backing vocals (tracks 4, 11)
  • Keith Welsh – backing vocals (track 11)
  • James Paul Wisner – backing vocals (tracks 12–15)
  • Chad Neptune – backing vocals (tracks 12–15)
  • Matthew Crum – additional percussion (tracks 12–15)
Production
  • James Paul Wisner – recording engineer, mixer and producer at Wisner Productions (tracks 1–3, 12–17)
  • Rob McGregor – recording engineer, mixer and producer at Goldentone Studios (tracks 4–11)
  • Mark Portnoy – recording engineer at Landmark Productions & Recording Studios (tracks 12–15)
  • Dean Dydek – editor at Wisner Productions (tracks 12–15)
  • As Friends Rust – co-mixer and co-producer (tracks 5–10, 16–17)
  • Damien Moyal – co-producer (tracks 16–17), artwork, design and liner notes
  • Nicholas Forneris – photography

Release history

[edit]
Release formats for Greatest Hits?
Region Date Label Format Catalog
Japan June 4, 2014 Cosmic Note CD EZCT-52
Indonesia December 27, 2014 D'Kolektif Tape DK007
Netherlands April 29, 2015 Shield Recordings CD SLD 076
12" Vinyl
Digital
May 9, 2019 12" Vinyl (repress)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Thomas (May 13, 2015). "Album Reviews: As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits?". Punk Rock Theory. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Album Review: As Friends Rust – "Greatest Hits?"". Dying Scene. June 6, 2015. Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Deutschland (April 2015). "Review – As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits?". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rold (April 20, 2015). "As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits review". Some Will Never Know. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "New Release". Cosmic Note. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Releases". Cosmic Note. 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Kraus, Brian (March 16, 2014). "As Friends Rust announce Japan tour and 'Greatest Hits?' compilation". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Julien, Alexandre (January 10, 2020). "As Friends Rust – A skeletal repository of As Friends Rust's timeline". Abridged Pause Blog. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits? CD/LP". Shield Recordings. 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Thomas (March 26, 2015). "As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits? (2015, Shield Recordings)". Handle Me Down (in German). Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Kamiński, Karol (January 12, 2015). "As Friends Rust "Greatest Hits?" compilation – full stream!". Idioteq. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Greatest Hits? liner notes. Cosmic Note. 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Greatest Hits? liner notes. D'Kolektif. 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Greatest Hits? liner notes. Shield Recordings. 2015.
  15. ^ a b c "As Friends Rust announce Japanese shows with Endzweck". Dying Scene. March 16, 2014. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Mair, Rob (May 5, 2015). "Live Review: Groezrock 2015 – Meerhout, Belgium". Already Heard. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
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  18. ^ a b Levine, David (May 18, 2015). "The Fest 14 adds bands (Title Fight, The Progress, Modern Life Is War, As Friends Rust, Smoke or Fire, PBTT, Bigwig, more)". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Wahle, Sebastian (July 2020). "As Friends Rust Interview". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Ramirez, Carlos (June 29, 2016). "Interview: Damien Moyal (Culture, Shai Hulud, As Friends Rust, Morning Again, On Bodies, Damien Done)". No Echo. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "Culture Japan tour 2013". Punx Save the Earth (in Japanese). July 25, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  22. ^ C., Luke (March 16, 2014). "As Friends Rust announce Greatest Hits". Kill Your Stereo. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  23. ^ "As Friends Rust – As Friends Rust (1996, Cassette)". Discogs. November 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  24. ^ a b Prenger, Joe (September 5, 1998). Interview with Damien Moyal of As Friends Rust and Culture. Netherlands: Reflections. pp. 40–44.
  25. ^ Ramirez, Carlos (January 10, 2019). "As Friends Rust Plot Live Return, New Album". No Echo. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Boarts, Christine (October 1998). "As Friends Rust – The Fists of Time CD (Good Life Recordings)". Slug & Lettuce 56. Slug and Lettuce.
  27. ^ Hemsath, Dirk (May 4, 1999). "Doghouse Records News". Doghouse Records. Archived from the original on May 7, 1999. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  28. ^ As Friends Rust liner notes. Good Life Recordings. 1999.
  29. ^ As Friends Rust liner notes. Doghouse Records. 1999.
  30. ^ a b As Friends Rust / Discount liner notes. Good Life Recordings. 1998.
  31. ^ a b Stevens, Stephanie (December 2001). "As Friends Rust Interview". East Coast Romper. Archived from the original on February 4, 2002. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "As Friends Rust News (February 2001 to February 2002)". As Friends Rust. Archived from the original on February 5, 2002. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  33. ^ Sabján, Bence (May 24, 2015). ""Emlékszem Budapestre. A koncert után a várnál lógtunk."- Interjú a Groezrockon feltámadt As Friends Rusttal!". Nuskull Magazin (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  34. ^ P., Michael (May 1, 2015). "30.04.2015: As Friends Rust – New York – Saint Vitus Bar". Allschools Network. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  35. ^ Levine, Dave (February 6, 2015). "NYC punk roundup: As Friends Rust, Defiance Ohio, NYHC book release, Gang Green, Timeshares, Night Birds, more". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g StrikeFlow (April 21, 2015). "Chronique de "As Friends Rust" – "Greatest Hits" sorti en 2015 sur le label Shield Recordings". Skartnak Webzine (in French). Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  37. ^ Krovatin, Chris (2019). "As Friends Rust Make Every Heartfelt Show Feel Like Their Last". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  38. ^ Thomas (May 7, 2019). "Bands about bands on Booze Cruise 2019". Punk Rock Theory. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  39. ^ a b Welzen, Martijn (April 1, 2015). "As Friends Rust – Greatest Hits?". Mass Movement. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  40. ^ a b c d e f Carlson, Eric (May 7, 2015). "As Friends Rust: Greatest Hits?: CD". Razorcake. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
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