Though 1987’s Branded has earned the reputation as Undercover’s “darkest” album, there’s an argument to be made that Balance of Power has it beat. Released three years later, after the passing of guitarist Gym Nicholson’s wife, the album pushes even further into the shadows, opening with an image of a world splitting apart at the seams, and ending with a harrowing plea for forgiveness. The band’s sound followed suit—gone were the layers of keyboards that gave Branded its rich textures, replaced instead by knifepoint guitars; Sim Wilson’s voice had gone from goth-y baritone to a pained wail, and the rhythm section of Ojo Taylor and Gary Olsen was turbulent and stormy. It’s a gripping, visceral record, made by a band searching in the darkness for the smallest sliver of light. ~ J. Edward Keyes
Please join us, as we reissue Balance Of Power on deluxe download, CD, and vinyl, for what will be it’s 30th anniversary in 2020. Let’s make this happen…
You have questions – we have answers!
Is Kickstarter a store? ~ No! For those unfamiliar with Kickstarter ~ this is an “all or nothing” fundraising platform. You pledge the level that you want, and if we make our financial goal we use those funds to make the project a reality! Yes, Kickstarter rewards tend to cost a bit more than normal retail, but project supporters are part of making something happen that probably otherwise wouldn’t. If we don’t make the fundraising goal, your cards aren’t charged and the album goes back into limbo.
Is the band involved with this reissue? ~ Yes! Without their blessing and support, this reissue wouldn’t be happening.
Who is remastering the album? ~ J Powell (aka Cliffy Huntington) at Steinhaus Mastering will be remastering the album + bonus tracks for download and CD, and preliminary mastering for vinyl. Miro Svetinsky at MiroLab will again provide vinyl mastering for this project.
What formats are being offered in the Kickstarter? ~ We are offering Downloads, Deluxe CDs, and limited edition 180g Vinyl + downloads in this campaign. ***Please note, if you are pledging for vinyl, we ship via USPS Media Mail using the Bags Unlimited heavy duty “Mighty Mailer”. 99% of shipments arrive without issue. That said, unless your record arrives broken, torn, or in some way unplayable, we (Lo-Fidelity Records & Undercover) cannot exchange or accept returns for vinyl damaged by the USPS during shipping. If you would like to add shipping insurance to any domestic order, please add $5 to your pledge total, and let us know you would like insurance added by sending us a private message so we can note your pledge. Thank you.***
Will there be bonus tracks on this reissue? ~ Yes! The band is planning to include bonus material from the “Balance Of Power” era on Vinyl, the CD, and all downloads. Bonus tracks currently being considered (and subject to change) as follows:
Vinyl Bonus Tracks – You And I (Undercover “You & I” EP) / Blood & Tears (Undercover “You & I” EP) / I’m Just A Man (Undercover “You & I” EP alt. version) / One To One (Undercover “You & I” EP) / How Far (Undercover “You & I” EP)
Download & CD Bonus Tracks – You And I (Undercover “You & I” EP) / Blood & Tears (Undercover “You & I” EP) / I’m Just A Man (Undercover “You & I” EP alt. version) / One To One (Undercover “You & I” EP) / How Far (Undercover “You & I” EP) / The Way Of The Rose (Cornerstone 2000) / World Come Crashing Down (Cornerstone 2000) / You And I (Boys Club Demo version) / Time (Boys Club Demo Version) / Love Me Dangerously (Boys Club Demo Version)
Do you know what the vinyl pressings will look like? – We have artist renderings that give an idea of what the vinyl might look like, but they aren’t exact…and pressings that feature multiple colors will always be different from record to record. All vinyl will be pressed in heavyweight 180g.
Color options will be as follows: Black, Gold, and Black with Heavy Gold Splatter. Each vinyl set will feature 2 LPs, Sides 1-3 featuring the songs from Balance Of Power, and Side 4 featuring the 5 tracks from the 1987 You & I cassette EP, originally intended as a demo shopped to major labels, and released here in it’s entirety for the first time ever.
What kind/size of T-Shirts are being used in the campaign? ~ Our manufacturer will use BLACK pre-shrunk, 100% cotton, heavyweight Fruit Of The Loom or Gildan shirts in mens sizes Small through 5XL. We will also produce the design on “Ladies Cut” t-shirts in sizes X-Small through XL. We will be reissuing the original Balance Of Power shirt from 1990 as part of this campaign.
(Original T-Shirt Design Closeup)
If we meet the goal, how long will it be before you get my album? ~ July 2020 is the projected shipping date we have listed on this campaign. This could change based on manufacturing times, unforeseen delays, etc. It will hopefully ship much sooner. July 2020 is simply a projected – not carved in stone. If waiting is something you’re not wild about, this Kickstarter might not be for you… (Just sayin’)
The main “risks” simply relate to manufacturing timelines to meet the 2020 shipping month if the campaign is successfully funded. If we meet the goal, and pledges go through in a timely manner so that we are quickly paid, we can begin production and then manufacturing. Please make sure you are pledging with a valid/non-expired credit card as any delays in Kickstarter collecting pledges results in delays in us getting paid…and sets us back with manufacturing, shipping, etc.