VIA PRESS RELEASE | ‘Sarah 7″ EP’ (AZPX17) is a labor of punk rock love with previously unreleased original music from Skate Rock pioneers, J.F.A., and posthumous debut from Phoenix’s The BRAND. Two years and a whole lotta heartbreak in the making, this four-song split 7″ vinyl is a little more than just bitter-sweet. It’s a reminder of how nothing is permanent in this world.
On December 22, 2019, just a few days before Christmas, we unexpectedly lost Sarah Shelton due to complications from a serious health condition she had battled with steadfast power and grace for years. Sarah was lead singer, song writer and all-around badass rock star of The BRAND, who were an up and coming five-piece punk band consisting of some heavy talent punk rock veterans if you look up guitarist Chuck Holder (Hellfire), drummer Dennis Walsh (Crowd), bassist Danny Bravo (Dark Hearts), and Sarah’s husband, guitarist Steve Shelton (Glass Heroes).
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with one of my all-time favorite bands over the course of AZPX’s existence, J.F.A. AZPX produced their 25th & 30 year anniversary shows and helped to organize the legendary Apache Skateboards Skate Jams starring J.F.A. The real stokage is having them appear on several AZPX Records releases (AZPX03, AZPX12, AZPXDD06). I had no idea Steve Shelton was already talking with Don and Brian about doing a split 7″ before he and Sarah told me. They insisted on the record being on AZPX,” says the label’s owner Rob Locker.
Initially, the EP was supposed to be released to coincide with the premier of Steve Shelton’s recent project, High Rollers Movie – The Golden Age of Arizona Skateboarding (featuring Brian Brannon and Don Redondo from J.F.A.) back in March of 2020. The BRAND’s two songs on this release are part of the documentary’s amazing soundtrack. AZPX could not be more proud to release this record and hope everyone will celebrate Sarah’s life and legacy as they play it as loud as the neighbors can tolerate.
