Local H Disputes Unauthorized Reissue of 'As Good As Dead' Album

Band claims they were in process of acquiring rights for their own 30th anniversary vinyl release

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Chicago band Local H is disputing an unauthorized 30th anniversary vinyl reissue of their 1996 album 'As Good As Dead' by Enjoy the Ride Records. The band says they were in the process of acquiring the rights from Universal Music Group to do their own official reissue, including a special remastered version, when the Enjoy the Ride release was announced without their knowledge or consent.

Why it matters

Local H's 'As Good As Dead' is considered the band's most successful and seminal album, containing several of their most popular songs. The album has been out of print on vinyl for over a decade, leading to high secondary market prices. This unauthorized reissue has angered the band and their fans, who feel the band should be able to control the rerelease of their own work.

The details

Enjoy the Ride Records, a label known for reissuing out-of-print albums, announced the 30th anniversary vinyl reissue of 'As Good As Dead' on February 6th. Local H frontman Scott Lucas says the band was unaware of this and was already in the process of working with Universal Music Group, who owns the rights, to do their own official reissue. Lucas says the band had even commissioned a special remastered version for their release. Enjoy the Ride's Ross, who declined to provide his last name, claims the label had a working relationship with Universal and received approval, but admits he was unable to directly contact the band and only sent a message on Instagram that went unread.

  • Local H's 'As Good As Dead' was originally released in 1996.
  • Enjoy the Ride Records announced the 30th anniversary vinyl reissue on February 6, 2026.
  • Local H says they were in the process of acquiring the rights from Universal Music Group for their own official reissue when Enjoy the Ride's announcement was made.

The players

Local H

A Chicago-based alternative rock band known for their 1996 album 'As Good As Dead', which contained several of their most popular songs.

Enjoy the Ride Records

A record label known for reissuing out-of-print albums, often at the request of fans.

Scott Lucas

The frontman of the band Local H.

Universal Music Group

The music conglomerate that currently owns the rights to Local H's 'As Good As Dead' album.

Ross

A representative from Enjoy the Ride Records who declined to provide his full name.

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What they’re saying

“Well, this is news to us. Especially since we were in the process of acquiring the rights from the label for our own official reissue. But — y'know — who the f*ck are we, right?”

— Scott Lucas, Frontman, Local H (Instagram)

“I'd rather not give my full name because some of these fans have been, like, pretty abusive, so I don't really need people reaching out to me personally.”

— Ross, Representative, Enjoy the Ride Records (Block Club Chicago)

“I'm hearing it was via Instagram. And, dude, I don't check Facebook, I don't check Instagram. That's that's not how we do business. So that's nonsense. This guy sent one message that was unopened, remains unopened and was unread ... so it's not like he did any real due diligence, and it's a little annoying.”

— Scott Lucas, Frontman, Local H (Block Club Chicago)

What’s next

Local H says they have now signed off on a separate license with Universal Music Group and are 'fast-tracking' their own official 30th anniversary reissue of 'As Good As Dead', which they hope will feature their specially commissioned remastered version of the album.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the complexities and challenges bands can face in maintaining control over the reissue and re-release of their own music, especially when the rights are owned by larger record labels. It also shows how unauthorized reissues, even by well-intentioned labels, can undermine an artist's own plans and frustrate their fanbase.