by Heather PharesSan Francisco's post-goth trio the Vanishing began when bassist/vocalist Jessie and drummer Brian left their previous band, the Knives, in order to make what they called "sci-fi horror disco." The duo recruited keyboardist Sadie Shaw, of the Lies and the Husbands, to flesh out the band's lineup. In the summer of 2002 they released their debut EP, In the Bat Haus, on Cochon Records. The EP introduced their icy yet darkly humorous take on goth and post-punk, which was defined by Jessie's (also formerly of the Subtonix possessed-sounding vocals and Shaw's stabbing keyboards. That fall, Shaw left the band to pursue the Husbands full-time, but not before helping record the Vanishing's debut album, Songs for Psychotic Children, which was released on GSL in spring 2003. After Shaw departed, Brian and Jessie drafted Billy from Zonetech to fill keyboard and bass duties. The band released a split EP with the Sixteens the following year.