Biography
Better Dead Than Red was a band from North Carolina formed in 1999. Their early recordings consisted of patriotic-themed lyrics accompanied by hardcore music.
After recording an initial demo, the band sent copies to several record labels. Among the labels that expressed interest, New Jersey-based RAC Records became their eventual recording partner. Later in 1999, the band returned to the studio to record a second demo featuring newer material. Songs from these sessions included "Into Glory They Ride", "Mr. Down On His Luck", "Only The Strong Survive", "Our Land, Not Your Land", "Normandy", and "Social Schism". By the time the band signed with RAC Records, they had written additional material intended for a full-length album scheduled for release in 2000.
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In 2000, RAC Records released the album "A Better Land". The album's artwork and political themes attracted attention both within the United States and internationally. According to contemporary accounts, it became one of the better-selling releases within the RAC and Oi! genres that year. During the same period, the band authorised Prophecy Records to issue recordings from their 1999 demo sessions. Prophecy Records first released the single "Commie Killers", which contained seven tracks from those recordings. The release was pressed in several vinyl editions, including orange-and-white swirled, blue-and-white swirled, and black vinyl variants.
Shortly afterwards, the band agreed to contribute material to a split CD with the Brazilian band The Skulls. Seven demo recordings prepared for the project were subsequently issued by Pro-Am Records as the CD "Nations Of Pride".
Several years later, the band released their second studio album, "The World Needs A Hero". The album marked a further development of their musical style and established a more distinctive sound compared with their earlier work.
Following the release of "The World Needs A Hero", the band issued the compilation album "Smash the Reds" through Patriotic Rock and Roll Records. The release collected B-sides, live recordings, demos, alternate versions, and other previously difficult-to-obtain tracks. It also included three songs by the short-lived side project God Of War.
As of 2004, the band were working on their third album, "Marx Was Wrong", a split 7-inch vinyl release with the North Carolina hardcore band Empire Falls, and a complete re-recording of their debut album "A Better Land" featuring additional bonus tracks. All three projects were announced for release during 2004.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.