fbpx
Wikipedia

Epitaph Records

May 06, 2023

Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands signed to the label as well. A large portion of the record label, known as Hellcat Records, is owned by Tim Armstrong, frontman of the punk rock band Rancid. Several sister labels also exist, such as ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Hellcat Records, and Heart & Skull Records that have signed other types of bands.

Epitaph Records
Founded1980 (1980)
FounderBrett Gurewitz
Distributor(s)AMPED Distribution (US),[1] PIAS (UK), ADA (former)
GenrePunk rock, pop punk, hardcore punk, alternative rock, post-hardcore
Country of originUnited States
LocationHollywood, California
Official websiteepitaph.com

History

Early years (1980s)

Brett Gurewitz formed Epitaph Records as a vehicle for releases by his band Bad Religion.[2] The name had been taken from the King Crimson cold war protest song "Epitaph" from which the lyrics "Confusion will be my epitaph." had struck a chord with Brett and Greg when they were young.[3] Its first release for the label was Bad Religion's 1981 self-titled EP, followed by their debut How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, which was also the label's first full-length release. Also released during this period was Peace thru Vandalism, an EP by The Vandals, who were the first band besides Bad Religion to sign to Epitaph. Two more Bad Religion releases followed – Into the Unknown and the EP Back to the Known – before their temporary split. After Gurewitz had cleaned up his drug issues, both Epitaph and Bad Religion were revived in 1987. In the following year, Epitaph released its first record as a proper label, which was L7's self-titled album, and it was distributed by Chameleon. Also in 1988, Bad Religion released Suffer, which was both released and distributed by Epitaph. Not only is Suffer often cited as one of the band's best by fans, but it is credited with "saving" the Southern California punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.[4][better source needed]

In 1989, Gurewitz signed NOFX to Epitaph. They released their debut for the label, S&M Airlines, that same year, featuring the video for its title track and the cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way", which featured guest vocals by Gurewitz and Greg Graffin, also a member of Bad Religion. This was followed by Bad Religion's next two albums – No Control and Against the Grain – which sold 60,000[5] and 100,000[6] copies respectively.

Breakthrough success (1990s)

By 1993, more punk acts had signed to Epitaph, including Pennywise, Down by Law, Coffin Break, The Offspring, Rancid, RKL, SNFU, Dead Fucking Last, Total Chaos and Claw Hammer. Epitaph's expansion saw the label relocate to new offices in Silver Lake.[2]

Although Bad Religion was the founding band of Epitaph, releasing their early records through the label, they switched over to Atlantic in 1993, with Recipe for Hate being their first record outside of the label. Brett Gurewitz is thought to have left Bad Religion as a result of internal disputes, but actually left the band in 1994 so he could run Epitaph full-time. That year Bad Religion and Epitaph received widespread fame, both within and outside the punk community, when Bad Religion (even though they had left Epitaph by this time), NOFX, Rancid and The Offspring all released hit records. This was a big year for punk in the mainstream; Rancid appeared on Saturday Night Live the following year, playing "Ruby Soho" and "Roots Radicals". The Offspring eventually left for Columbia Records in a contract dispute, but their album Smash became the best-selling independent album of all time, with more than 11 million units sold worldwide to date.[7]

Change in style (2000s)

In 2001, Brett Gurewitz returned to Bad Religion, and the band returned to Epitaph Records,[8] releasing seven more albums, the latest being Age of Unreason (2019).

In mid-2005 Epitaph was added to the official list of RIAA members[9] along with several other high-profile independent labels. The reason for the listing is not clear, but one source points to an agreement for internet P2P distribution.[10] Another source claims label management joined RIAA to get certified sales awards (i.e., official "Gold" or "Platinum" record status) for releases. This sparked some controversy as some feel they should no longer be labeled independent if they are a member of the RIAA.[11] However, the only source that has actually been used for these claims of membership is the official RIAA membership list, which has been disputed.[9] As of this writing, not only is Epitaph listed as an official member but Lookout! Records is once again listed, after being falsely listed before. In addition, Fat Wreck Chords has released statements denying their own involvement in the RIAA, condemning the organization.[12]

During this time, the label started to stray from its traditional punk rock output by signing a number of post-hardcore bands such as The Blackout, Escape The Fate, From First to Last, Hell Is for Heroes, I Am Ghost, Matchbook Romance, Our Last Night, Scatter the Ashes, Story of the Year, Thursday, Vanna, and You Me at Six.

Recent years (2010s)

Epitaph signed Weezer in 2010, the label releasing Hurley later that year.[13] The label signed Social Distortion in the same year.[14] Epitaph signed Australian punk band Dangerous! in 2011 and released album Teenage Rampage. Epitaph had also signed the Canadian punk rock band Propagandhi. The label has also been more active in signing bands from the emo revival including The Menzingers, Joyce Manor, Pianos Become the Teeth, Defeater, The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, and Touché Amoré.

Sales certifications

Epitaph has issued two albums that have been certified as platinum or multi-platinum, for sales of over 1 million units, by the Recording Industry Association of America: Smash by The Offspring, which has been certified six-times platinum, and ...And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid, which has been certified platinum.[15]

Seven albums released by the label, or its subsidiaries Hellcat and ANTI-, have been certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies: Ignition by The Offspring, Punk in Drublic by NOFX, Let's Go by Rancid, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits, The Drug in Me Is You by Falling in Reverse, The Warrior's Code by Dropkick Murphys and Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon.[15]

Notable artists

Current

Former

Compilations

See also

References

  1. ^ "Epitaph & Anti- Partner With AMPED for US Physical Distribution". Billboard. October 18, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (1999) "Epitaph Records" in The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0257-7, p. 150
  3. ^ Buhrmester, Jason (November 2010). "Against the Grain: The Oral History of Epitaph Records". Spin: 62. ISSN 0886-3032.
  4. ^ Bad Religion Homepage. . Archived from the original on April 8, 2007.
  5. ^ "No Control (album) - The Answer - The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995". Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  6. ^ "Against The Grain (album) - The Answer - The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995". Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  7. ^ . Archived from the original on March 11, 2007.
  8. ^ Piccoli, Sean (2002) "Punk's been good to bad religion", South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 1, 2002, p. 36
  9. ^ a b "RIAA - default members - June 07, 2015". Riaa.com. 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "News". GRAMMY.com. April 30, 2017.
  11. ^ . Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  12. ^ . Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  13. ^ Luerssen, John D. (2010) "Weezer Sign to Epitaph, Announce 'Hurley' Album", Spinner, August 5, 2010, retrieved May 8, 2011
  14. ^ Goodman, Dean (2010) "Rock band Weezer honors 'Lost' star on new album", Reuters, August 11, 2010, retrieved May 8, 2011
  15. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum - RIAA: Epitaph". RIAA. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  16. ^ . Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.

May 06, 2023
epitaph, records, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, april, 20. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Epitaph Records news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz Throughout the 1980s and 1990s most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts while there are many post hardcore and emo bands signed to the label as well A large portion of the record label known as Hellcat Records is owned by Tim Armstrong frontman of the punk rock band Rancid Several sister labels also exist such as ANTI Burning Heart Records Hellcat Records and Heart amp Skull Records that have signed other types of bands Epitaph RecordsFounded1980 1980 FounderBrett GurewitzDistributor s AMPED Distribution US 1 PIAS UK ADA former GenrePunk rock pop punk hardcore punk alternative rock post hardcoreCountry of originUnited StatesLocationHollywood CaliforniaOfficial websiteepitaph wbr com Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1980s 1 2 Breakthrough success 1990s 1 3 Change in style 2000s 1 4 Recent years 2010s 2 Sales certifications 3 Notable artists 3 1 Current 3 2 Former 4 Compilations 5 See also 6 ReferencesHistory EditEarly years 1980s Edit Brett Gurewitz formed Epitaph Records as a vehicle for releases by his band Bad Religion 2 The name had been taken from the King Crimson cold war protest song Epitaph from which the lyrics Confusion will be my epitaph had struck a chord with Brett and Greg when they were young 3 Its first release for the label was Bad Religion s 1981 self titled EP followed by their debut How Could Hell Be Any Worse which was also the label s first full length release Also released during this period was Peace thru Vandalism an EP by The Vandals who were the first band besides Bad Religion to sign to Epitaph Two more Bad Religion releases followed Into the Unknown and the EP Back to the Known before their temporary split After Gurewitz had cleaned up his drug issues both Epitaph and Bad Religion were revived in 1987 In the following year Epitaph released its first record as a proper label which was L7 s self titled album and it was distributed by Chameleon Also in 1988 Bad Religion released Suffer which was both released and distributed by Epitaph Not only is Suffer often cited as one of the band s best by fans but it is credited with saving the Southern California punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion s contemporaries alike 4 better source needed In 1989 Gurewitz signed NOFX to Epitaph They released their debut for the label S amp M Airlines that same year featuring the video for its title track and the cover of Fleetwood Mac s Go Your Own Way which featured guest vocals by Gurewitz and Greg Graffin also a member of Bad Religion This was followed by Bad Religion s next two albums No Control and Against the Grain which sold 60 000 5 and 100 000 6 copies respectively Breakthrough success 1990s Edit By 1993 more punk acts had signed to Epitaph including Pennywise Down by Law Coffin Break The Offspring Rancid RKL SNFU Dead Fucking Last Total Chaos and Claw Hammer Epitaph s expansion saw the label relocate to new offices in Silver Lake 2 Although Bad Religion was the founding band of Epitaph releasing their early records through the label they switched over to Atlantic in 1993 with Recipe for Hate being their first record outside of the label Brett Gurewitz is thought to have left Bad Religion as a result of internal disputes but actually left the band in 1994 so he could run Epitaph full time That year Bad Religion and Epitaph received widespread fame both within and outside the punk community when Bad Religion even though they had left Epitaph by this time NOFX Rancid and The Offspring all released hit records This was a big year for punk in the mainstream Rancid appeared on Saturday Night Live the following year playing Ruby Soho and Roots Radicals The Offspring eventually left for Columbia Records in a contract dispute but their album Smash became the best selling independent album of all time with more than 11 million units sold worldwide to date 7 Change in style 2000s Edit In 2001 Brett Gurewitz returned to Bad Religion and the band returned to Epitaph Records 8 releasing seven more albums the latest being Age of Unreason 2019 In mid 2005 Epitaph was added to the official list of RIAA members 9 along with several other high profile independent labels The reason for the listing is not clear but one source points to an agreement for internet P2P distribution 10 Another source claims label management joined RIAA to get certified sales awards i e official Gold or Platinum record status for releases This sparked some controversy as some feel they should no longer be labeled independent if they are a member of the RIAA 11 However the only source that has actually been used for these claims of membership is the official RIAA membership list which has been disputed 9 As of this writing not only is Epitaph listed as an official member but Lookout Records is once again listed after being falsely listed before In addition Fat Wreck Chords has released statements denying their own involvement in the RIAA condemning the organization 12 During this time the label started to stray from its traditional punk rock output by signing a number of post hardcore bands such as The Blackout Escape The Fate From First to Last Hell Is for Heroes I Am Ghost Matchbook Romance Our Last Night Scatter the Ashes Story of the Year Thursday Vanna and You Me at Six Recent years 2010s Edit Epitaph signed Weezer in 2010 the label releasing Hurley later that year 13 The label signed Social Distortion in the same year 14 Epitaph signed Australian punk band Dangerous in 2011 and released album Teenage Rampage Epitaph had also signed the Canadian punk rock band Propagandhi The label has also been more active in signing bands from the emo revival including The Menzingers Joyce Manor Pianos Become the Teeth Defeater The World Is a Beautiful Place amp I Am No Longer Afraid to Die and Touche Amore Sales certifications EditEpitaph has issued two albums that have been certified as platinum or multi platinum for sales of over 1 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America Smash by The Offspring which has been certified six times platinum and And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid which has been certified platinum 15 Seven albums released by the label or its subsidiaries Hellcat and ANTI have been certified gold for sales of 500 000 copies Ignition by The Offspring Punk in Drublic by NOFX Let s Go by Rancid Orphans Brawlers Bawlers amp Bastards by Tom Waits The Drug in Me Is You by Falling in Reverse The Warrior s Code by Dropkick Murphys and Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon 15 Notable artists EditCurrent Edit Adult Mom Alkaline Trio The All American Rejects Architects World ex Australia South Africa and New Zealand Bad Religion Bad Suns Cold Hart Converge Cover Your Tracks inactive since 2016 Danny Elfman Drain Descendents Desaparecidos DefeaterFalling in Reverse The Frights The Garden The Ghost Inside Hot Water Music Hunny Jamie T Joyce Manor Justin Pierre La Dispute The Lawrence Arms Lil Lotus The Linda Lindas Magnolia Park Mannequin Pussy The Menzingers Millencolin Off With Their Heads Parkway Drive World Ex Australia amp New Zealand Pennywise Pianos Become the Teeth Propagandhi Quicksand Raised Fist Refused Remo Drive Retox Saosin Save Face SayWeCanFly Sleepwave Social Distortion Soul Glo Teenage Wrist Thrice This Wild Life Too Close to Touch Touche Amore The World Is a Beautiful Place amp I Am No Longer Afraid to Die Former Edit 1208 Disbanded 98 Mute Disbanded 59 Times The Pain Disbanded Agnostic Front ALL Alesana Atmosphere Avion Roe Disbanded Beatsteaks Beautiful Bodies Disbanded Big Talk The Blood Brothers re releasing old material Bombshell Rocks Bob Log III The Bouncing Souls active with Pure Noise Records Bring Me the Horizon active with Sony Music Burning Heads Busdriver now on Epitaph s sub label ANTI The Blackout Disbanded The Business Disbanded Circle Jerks Claw Hammer Disbanded Coffin Break Disbanded The Color of Violence The Cramps Disbanded Culture Abuse Disbanded Dag Nasty Danger Doom Disbanded Dangerous Daredevils Disbanded A Day to Remember one partner release with ADTR Records distribution only active with Fueled By Ramen Dead Fucking Last Death by Stereo active with Indecision Records The Distillers Division of Laura Lee Down By Law The Draft disbanded Dwarves Error Disbanded Escape the Fate active with Eleven Seven Label Group Every Time I Die disbanded Eyedea amp Abilities Disbanded Farewell Frank Turner active with Polydor Xtra Mile Frenzal Rhomb From First to Last Gallows re releasing old material in North America Gas Huffer Disbanded The Ghost of a Thousand Disbanded Green Day re releasing old material in Europe Guttermouth H2O active with Bridge Nine Records Heavens disbanded The Higher Disbanded Hell Is for Heroes The Hives Heideroosjes Humpers I Against I I Am Ghost Disbanded I Killed the Prom Queen Disbanded Ikara Colt Disbanded The International Noise Conspiracy disbanded I Set My Friends on Fire The Joykiller Disbanded Wayne Kramer L7 Leathermouth Letlive Madball Matchbook Romance Disbanded The Matches Motion City Soundtrack New Found Glory active with Hopeless Records New Bomb Turks Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds No Fun at All Burning Heart Records NOFX active with Fat Wreck Chords Obey the Brave Disbanded The Offspring Osker Disbanded Our Last Night Pete Philly and Perquisite Disbanded The Pietasters Poison Idea Disbanded Pulley Rancid now on Epitaph s sub label Hellcat Records Randy Red Aunts Disbanded Rich Kids on LSD Disbanded Ruth Ruth Sage Francis now on Epitaph s sub label ANTI Satanic Surfers Scatter the Ashes Settle Set Your Goals The Sidekicks Disbanded Sing It Loud Sleeping with Sirens active with Sumerian Records SNFU Disbanded Some Girls The Sound of Animals Fighting The Special Goodness Story of the Year Straightfaced Ten Foot Pole Terrorgruppe Thelonious Monster Thursday Total Chaos Tricky Turbonegro U S Bombs The Vandals active with Kung Fu Records Vanna Disbanded Voodoo Glow Skulls active with Dr Strange Records The Weakerthans on hiatus Weezer active with Atlantic Records Youth Group now on Epitaph s sub label ANTI You Me at Six active with BMG Rights Management ZekeCompilations EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Punk O Rama series Unsound series How We Rock Spirit of the Streets Epitaph Union skate surf DVD series Football Schmootball 1st DC Video 3rd 16 Circle One 5th Out of Print Compilations Bored Generation skate surf enhanced CD ROM 1996 More Songs About Anger Fear Sex amp Death 1992 New Noise 2010 New Noise 2 2011 See also EditEpitaph Records discography List of record labels Hellcat Records ANTI References Edit Epitaph amp Anti Partner With AMPED for US Physical Distribution Billboard October 18 2019 a b Larkin Colin 1999 Epitaph Records in The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock Virgin Books ISBN 0 7535 0257 7 p 150 Buhrmester Jason November 2010 Against the Grain The Oral History of Epitaph Records Spin 62 ISSN 0886 3032 Bad Religion Homepage Suffer Archived from the original on April 8 2007 No Control album The Answer The Bad Religion Page Since 1995 Retrieved June 7 2015 Against The Grain album The Answer The Bad Religion Page Since 1995 Retrieved June 7 2015 Bio The Offspring Archived from the original on March 11 2007 Piccoli Sean 2002 Punk s been good to bad religion South Florida Sun Sentinel March 1 2002 p 36 a b RIAA default members June 07 2015 Riaa com 2015 Retrieved June 7 2015 News GRAMMY com April 30 2017 Mammoth Press Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved June 7 2015 F A Q Community Fat Wreck Chords Archived from the original on February 14 2014 Retrieved June 7 2015 Luerssen John D 2010 Weezer Sign to Epitaph Announce Hurley Album Spinner August 5 2010 retrieved May 8 2011 Goodman Dean 2010 Rock band Weezer honors Lost star on new album Reuters August 11 2010 retrieved May 8 2011 a b Gold amp Platinum RIAA Epitaph RIAA Retrieved November 15 2017 DC Video Archived from the original on June 10 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Epitaph Records amp oldid 1153390258, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.