Facedown Records
Encyclopedia
Facedown Records is a Christian
record label
based in Fallbrook, California
, devoted mostly to hardcore punk
and metalcore
bands (Christian and secular). Founded by No Innocent Victim
drummer Jason Dunn, the label started off small with a number of 7" record releases by bands such as Overcome, Dodgin Bullets, and Born Blind. As the label grew, it was able to sign artists for full album deals. xDisciplex and The Deal, who were both popular in the Christian and secular scenes, released material on Facedown, as well as Canada's Figure Four
, One-21, and Point of Recognition. The label also signs straight edge
groups such as xDEATHSTARx
and xLooking Forwardx.
Bands like Seventh Star and Nodes of Ranvier released well-received records through the label, but it was the release of "Turn It Around" by Comeback Kid
(featuring members of Figure Four) that really brought the label more notice. Comeback Kid toured behind that album for the following 2 years, eventually leaving Facedown to sign with Victory Records
.
Take It Back!, War Of Ages, For Today, Sleeping Giant, the reformed No Innocent Victim, and many others make up the self-described "Facedown Family". Facedown has more recently signed Twin Cities metalcore group Your Memorial, Nashville metalcore group A Plea for Purging
and Alabama "southern metal" group Remove the Veil
.
have since moved to Facedown. All of Strike First's releases are limited edition physical issue, and are made using no plastic
, from recycled
cardboard.
for the convenience of those in the eastern part of the U.S. who cannot easily make it to California
.
(**)- Never officially signed to Facedown Records, though they had a release from that label
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Fallbrook, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, devoted mostly to hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
bands (Christian and secular). Founded by No Innocent Victim
No Innocent Victim
No Innocent Victim, or N.I.V., is a christian hardcore punk band on Facedown Records. The band was created in 1992 in San Diego, California. They produced two successful albums on the market, and then toured with Agnostic Front. In 1998 they signed to Victory Records and recorded Flesh and Blood...
drummer Jason Dunn, the label started off small with a number of 7" record releases by bands such as Overcome, Dodgin Bullets, and Born Blind. As the label grew, it was able to sign artists for full album deals. xDisciplex and The Deal, who were both popular in the Christian and secular scenes, released material on Facedown, as well as Canada's Figure Four
Figure Four
-Bio:Figure Four started in 1996 and are currently signed to Solid State Records. The band is currently on hiatus, as two of its members are now in the full-time touring hardcore punk band, Comeback Kid, and one of its members is now in a band, Grave Maker...
, One-21, and Point of Recognition. The label also signs straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
groups such as xDEATHSTARx
XDEATHSTARx
xDEATHSTARx was an American Christian metalcore band from Redlands, CA. All of the members are straight edge and they incorporate both Christian and straight edge themes within their music, with their view of the loss of values in modern society. The group released its first album in 2004 is...
and xLooking Forwardx.
Bands like Seventh Star and Nodes of Ranvier released well-received records through the label, but it was the release of "Turn It Around" by Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid
Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
(featuring members of Figure Four) that really brought the label more notice. Comeback Kid toured behind that album for the following 2 years, eventually leaving Facedown to sign with Victory Records
Victory Records
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
.
Take It Back!, War Of Ages, For Today, Sleeping Giant, the reformed No Innocent Victim, and many others make up the self-described "Facedown Family". Facedown has more recently signed Twin Cities metalcore group Your Memorial, Nashville metalcore group A Plea for Purging
A Plea for Purging
A Plea for Purging is a metalcore band based out of Nashville, TN.-Biography:After forming in 2005, A Plea for Purging quickly gained a reputation for hard work, with a heavy touring schedule that included over 200 live shows in their first year together. They released the "A Plea for Purging EP"...
and Alabama "southern metal" group Remove the Veil
Remove the Veil
Remove the Veil was a Christian Metalcore band from Opelika, Alabama, founded in January 2005. They were most recently signed to Facedown Records.- History :...
.
Strike First Records
Strike First Records is Facedown's imprint label, which provides label services for smaller bands, and sometimes acts as a sort of "Facedown training ground"; some Strike First bands, such as Bloody Sunday, Kingston Falls, Call To Preserve, and War of AgesWar of Ages
War of Ages is a Christian metalcore band formed during the summer of 2002 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They have five music videos: "All Consuming Fire", "Stand Your Ground", "Through the Flames", "Strength Within", and "Collapse". Aaron Harkness aka Aaron Martyr made an appearance in Stand your Ground...
have since moved to Facedown. All of Strike First's releases are limited edition physical issue, and are made using no plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
, from recycled
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
cardboard.
Dreamt Music
Late in 2007, the label announced a new imprint, the rock-based Dreamt Music. Dreamt Music focuses more on Christian Alternative and Classic Rock unlike its Christian Metal counterparts Facedown and Strike First Records. See Dreamt Artists for list of Dreamt Music signed artists.Facedown Fest
The label also hosts an annual 2-day "Facedown Fest" in southern California. The festival is usually made up of the entire Facedown and Strike First rosters. It has been the site of final performances by The Deal xDisciplex AD,and xDEATHSTARx, Seventh Star, and served as the introduction of xLooking Forwardx to Facedown fans, prior to the band signing with the label. The popularity of the Fest has grown, and in November 2005, an additional 2 days were held in Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
for the convenience of those in the eastern part of the U.S. who cannot easily make it to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Facedown Artists
- A Hope for HomeA Hope for HomeA Hope for Home is a band based in Portland, Oregon that formed in 2006. They have 3 studio albums, two of which were released on Facedown Records and Strike First...
- A Plea for PurgingA Plea for PurgingA Plea for Purging is a metalcore band based out of Nashville, TN.-Biography:After forming in 2005, A Plea for Purging quickly gained a reputation for hard work, with a heavy touring schedule that included over 200 live shows in their first year together. They released the "A Plea for Purging EP"...
- Call to Preserve
- Gideon
- HANDS
- Hope for the DyingHope For The DyingHope for the Dying also known as HFTD is an American Christian Metal band from Jonesboro, Illinois. The band formed in 2006 and released their first album in April 2008, the album was later repackaged and released with Strike First Records on November 25, 2008.-History:In November 2008 Hope for...
- Immortal SoulsImmortal SoulsImmortal Souls is a melodic death metal band from Kokkola, Finland, formed in 1991. They released a split album and their debut on Little Rose Productions in late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2002 Immortal Souls signed with Dutch label Fear Dark which released their second and third album as well as a...
- In the Midst of LionsIn the Midst of LionsIn The Midst Of Lions is a Christian Deathcore band from St Louis, Missouri. They have three full length album releases entitled Out Of Darkness, The Heart Of Man and Shadows. The name of the band pertains to a biblical scripture in Psalms 57:4.-Biography:...
- Onward To Olympas
- Overcome
- Saving Grace
- War of AgesWar of AgesWar of Ages is a Christian metalcore band formed during the summer of 2002 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They have five music videos: "All Consuming Fire", "Stand Your Ground", "Through the Flames", "Strength Within", and "Collapse". Aaron Harkness aka Aaron Martyr made an appearance in Stand your Ground...
- Your Memorial
Strike First Artists
- Altars
- Ace Augustine
- Ark of the Covenant
- The Burial
- Dynasty
- We The Gathered
- Letter To The ExilesLetter to the ExilesLetter To The Exiles is a Christian metalcore band from Long Island, New York that formed in 2006. The band formed in 2006 and are currently signed to Strike First Records .- Biography :...
- Messengers
- Nothing Til Blood
Past artists
- Abel (Dreamt Music) (Active, signed to Come&Live Records)
- Anchor (disbanded)
- Alove for EnemiesAlove for EnemiesAlove for Enemies was a Christian metalcore band based in Long Island, New York, US-Biography:The band was founded in 2000, and released their first six song EP independently. The group was founded by singer Erich Barto and drummer A.J. Gonzalez. The band was signed to independent label Polytope...
(disbanded, singer now does vocals for Letter To The Exiles) - As Hell Retreats (Active, signed to Ain't No Grave Records)
- Bloodlined Calligraphy (unknown if they will continue, bassist recently died)
- Bloody Sunday (disbanded)
- Brutal Fight (Strike First Records; disbanded)
- Born BlindBorn BlindThe Christian punk rock four-piece Born Blind was originally from San Diego, California, playing shows in the western part of the United States. All four members of the group- Judd Morgan, Chris Beckett, Kurt Love, and Nate Jarrell- were former members of No Innocent Victim before forming Born...
(disbanded) - Comeback KidComeback KidComeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
(currently signed to Victory RecordsVictory RecordsVictory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
) - The DealThe DealThe Deal is a 2003 British television film directed by Stephen Frears from a script by Peter Morgan, based in part upon The Rivals by James Naughtie...
(active, reunited in November 2008) - XDEATHSTARXXDEATHSTARxxDEATHSTARx was an American Christian metalcore band from Redlands, CA. All of the members are straight edge and they incorporate both Christian and straight edge themes within their music, with their view of the loss of values in modern society. The group released its first album in 2004 is...
(disbanded, last show April 4, 2009; several ex-members are now in Sleeping GiantSleeping GiantSleeping Giant may refer to:In geology:* Sleeping Giant , a traprock mountain ridge in Hamden, Connecticut, U.S.* Sleeping Giant , a mountain ridge on the island of Kauai near Kapaa, Hawaii, U.S....
) - Dodgin' Bullets (disbanded)
- Dogwood (active) **
- Earth From Above
- Falling Cycle (disbanded)
- Figure FourFigure Four-Bio:Figure Four started in 1996 and are currently signed to Solid State Records. The band is currently on hiatus, as two of its members are now in the full-time touring hardcore punk band, Comeback Kid, and one of its members is now in a band, Grave Maker...
(disbanded; two members are also in Comeback KidComeback KidComeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 2002, the band is currently signed to Facedown Records. Their name comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player, Mario Lemieux coming back to the NHL. The band was formed in 2002 by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy...
) - Flee the SeenFlee the SeenFlee the Seen was a post-hardcore band based out of Kansas City, Missouri composed of Kim Anderson , R.L. Brooks , Manuel Sanchez , Aaron Crawford , and Lucas Dills . They were signed to Facedown Records in December, 2005 and released their first full length record, Doubt Becomes The New Addiction,...
(dropped from Facedown, disbanded) - For TodayFor Today (band)For Today is an American Christian metalcore band from Sioux City, Iowa, formed in 2005. They are currently signed to Razor & Tie. They have released one EP, Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time, and three full-length albums: Ekklesia on April 1, 2008, Portraits on June 9, 2009, and their third studio...
(Active, signed to Razor & TieRazor & TieRazor & Tie is a New York-based corporation founded in 1990 by Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam. The company encompasses a record label with major label distribution , a home video company, a media buying company, a music publishing business, a marketing, promotion and sales team, and a direct...
) - Hanover Saints (reunited); members are also in BRIAN HANOVER AND THE WOUNDS.
- The Great Commission (Active, signed to Ain't No Grave Records)
- Impending DoomImpending DoomImpending Doom is a Christian deathcore band from Riverside, California.-History:Brook Reeves and Manny Contreras started the band in 2005 with ex members Chris Forno, Isaac Bueno, and Jon. After releasing the The Sin and Doom of Godless Men EP, Greg Pewthers joined on third guitar after leaving...
(Active, signed to E1 Music) - Indwelling (disbanded)
- Inked In Blood (disbanded)
- Kingston Falls (disbanded)
- Means (disbanded)
- Nodes of RanvierNodes of Ranvier (band)Nodes of Ranvier was a Christian metal/metalcore band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA, that was signed to Victory Records. The band is described as "one of Sioux Falls' most successful and popular acts ever." They have played with bands such as Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, Bury Your...
(disbanded) - No Innocent VictimNo Innocent VictimNo Innocent Victim, or N.I.V., is a christian hardcore punk band on Facedown Records. The band was created in 1992 in San Diego, California. They produced two successful albums on the market, and then toured with Agnostic Front. In 1998 they signed to Victory Records and recorded Flesh and Blood...
(hiatus) - One-21 (disbanded)
- Persevere (disbanded) **
- Phanatik (disbanded) **
- Positive Youth (disbanded) **
- Point of RecognitionPoint of RecognitionPoint of Recognition was a Christian hardcore band from Southern California. They take their influences from bands such as All Out War, Buried Alive, No Innocent Victim, and Hatebreed.-History:...
(disbanded) - The Rekoning
- Remove the VeilRemove the VeilRemove the Veil was a Christian Metalcore band from Opelika, Alabama, founded in January 2005. They were most recently signed to Facedown Records.- History :...
(disbanded) - Shapes Stars Make (Dreamt Music) (Active, currently unsigned)
- Sleep For Sleepers (Dreamt Music) (On hiatus, member in The Wandering Tree)
- Sleeping GiantSleeping Giant (band)Sleeping Giant is an American Christian metalcore band from Redlands, CA. Formed in 2007, the group is currently signed to Christian label ANGR.Sleeping Giant has recorded two full-length albums through Facedown...
(Active, signed to Ain't No Grave Records) - Seventh Star (disbanded)
- Sinai BeachSinai BeachSinai Beach was a Christian metal band that was formed in Riverside, California in 2000. The band has stated on multiple occasions that they are named after Mount Sinai, where Moses was given the Ten Commandments in the Bible.-History:...
(disbanded) - Symphony in PerilSymphony in PerilSymphony in Peril was a Christian metalcore band from Columbus, Ohio.-History:Symphony in Peril formed in Columbus, OH in 2002. The band gained attention quite early in their development because Shawn Jonas, former vocalist for popular metalcore band Zao, was one of the founding members...
(disbanded) - Take it Back! (disbanded 2011)
- This Runs ThroughThis Runs ThroughThis Runs Through was an American metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded in April 2002, and only one month later begun touring throughout the east coast of America. They have to date only released one EP entitled Until Forever Finds Me which then followed to their disbandment in...
(disbanded; members are now in UnderoathUnderoathUnderoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
and To Speak of Wolves) - Through Solace
- Torn in Two (changed their name to Red Red, playing local shows)
- Thieves and Liars(Dreamt Music) (disbanded)
- Wrench in the WorksWrench in the WorksWrench in the Works were an American Christian metal band originating from Hartford, Connecticut. The band is currently signed to Facedown Records and in the process of recording new music for their upcoming album...
(Disbanded) - xDisciplex A.D.XDISCIPLEx A.D.xDISCIPLEx A.D. was a straight edge Christian hardcore band from Erie, PA.Formerly xdisciplex or disciple, the band had to change its name to avoid legal actions due to a prior established band named Disciple...
(disbanded; members are currently in Jesus Wept) ** - xLooking Forwardx (disbanded)
(**)- Never officially signed to Facedown Records, though they had a release from that label
External links
- Under the Volcano Interview with label owner Jason Dunn from Under the Volcano 95