As Friends Rust is the third release by American melodic hardcore band As Friends Rust. It was released on compact disc, 8-inch vinyl and digitally in the United States on September 17, 1999. The eponymous extended play was the band's first output as part of an exclusive three-record contract with Toledo, Ohio-based record company Doghouse Records. As Friends Rust was licensed by Doghouse Records to various foreign markets, beginning with Belgian record label Good Life Recordings, which released the extended play on compact disc and double 7-inch vinyl several months earlier in July 1999. The European edition features a bonus song and a different artwork, but was erroneously promoted by Good Life Recordings as God Hour, though that title never appeared on the actual release. Doghouse Records also licensed As Friends Rust to Japanese record label Howling Bull Entertainment, which released a compact disc edition on October 5, 1999, and British record label Golf Records, which released a compact disc edition on October 22, 2001; these versions included six additional songs, a different artwork, and were promoted under the title Eleven Songs.
In promotion of As Friends Rust, the band toured the United States, United Kingdom and Europe several times between June 1999 and September 2000, accompanied by such musical groups as Strike Anywhere, Grade, Ensign, Ignite, Good Clean Fun, Garrison, Glasseater, Mid Carson July, The Agency, Fast Times and Keith Welsh. While promoting the release, As Friends Rust also performed at notable festivals like Hellfest in Syracuse, New York (two years in a row), Ieper Hardcore Festival in Ypres, Belgium (two years in a row), Dour Festival in Dour, Belgium, Gainesvillefest in Gainesville, Florida, Wilkes-Barre Festival in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, The Copper Sun Indie Records Winter Festival in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Detroit Fest in Eastpointe, Michigan, Krazy Fest in Louisville, Kentucky, Mixed Messages in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pheer Festival in College Park, Maryland, Festival Hardcore in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Spain, Metropolis Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands, TurboPunk Festival in Poznań, Poland, Transmitter Festival in Hohenems, Austria, Complete MADness Festival in Potsdam, Germany and Good Life Midsummer Hardcore Festival in Kuurne, Belgium.
The extended play was recorded with lead vocalist Damien Moyal, guitarists Joseph Simmons and James Glayat, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Kaleb Stewart and drummer Timothy Kirkpatrick. Though most of the touring in promotion of As Friends Rust featured the same core members, the line-up changed almost completely during its final European tour in September 2000, leading to uncertainty about the band's future. Glayat and Kirkpatrick announced that they would quit the band upon their return from the European tour, though Glayat injured his leg during the first week of the tour and was replaced by former As Friends Rust guitarist Peter Bartsocas. Moyal then suffered voice problems during the same European tour, leading Stewart to sing lead vocals at a handful of shows (with Bartsocas switching to bass). Looking to replace Glayat, Moyal and Simmons recruited guitarist Christopher "Floyd" Beckham, which in turn lead to Stewart's unexpected departure. After a short hiatus and further line-up changes, As Friends Rust's new line-up recorded its follow-up album Won in 2001.
Composition and recording
After several months of touring in promotion of the band's debut extended play, The Fists of Time, As Friends Rust was signed to a three-record deal in late 1998, by American record label Doghouse Records. In early April 1999, Doghouse Records announced that the band would be recording a four-song extended play, scheduled for release on June 15, 1999. By May 1999, however, the release date had been moved forward to July 15, 1999, then to August 19, 1999 (it would ultimately be delayed by another month, with its actual release date on September 17, 1999).
On May 9, 1999, As Friends Rust returned to Goldentone Studios, where it had previously recorded two songs in March and October 1998, to record six new songs with producer Rob McGregor. The band was then made up of lead vocalist Damien Moyal, guitarists Joseph Simmons and James Glayat, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Kaleb Stewart and drummer Timothy Kirkpatrick. The new material recorded included "Half Friend Town", "Like Strings (Spell It With a K)", "Fire on 8th and 3rd", "Coffee Black", "Scapegoat Wets the Whistle", was well as a cover of Circle Jerks' "Operation", planned for a split 7-inch vinyl with Hot Water Music. The session was co-produced by As Friends Rust.
