Punk Label Shorts
Description: Moon Ska Records was one of the most influential ska record labels of the 1980s and 1990s. The label operated from 1983 until 2000, and during those seventeen years, only released ska and ska-influenced music. Originally named Moon Records, as a tribute to Sun Records, the label changed its name to Moon Ska Records because another label owned the copyright to the Moon Records name. The label was started by Robert "Bucket" Hingley, founding member of The Toasters as a means to distribute albums by The Toasters. The label became an American source for many British ska import albums.
Description: Honest Don's Records was a subsidiary label based in San Francisco, California, set up along with Pink & Black Records by Fat Wreck Chords to release material by bands that didn't fit within the roster at Fat. The label ceased trading around 2003 with the Nerf Herder EP "My E.P.". Some of the bands were absorbed into the Fat roster, whilst others moved on.
Description: Trance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, Texas band the Butthole Surfers. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP. From 1990 to 1999, when the label closed down, Trance Syndicate released albums by several notable Texan bands and artists, including Pain Teens, Bedhead, Ed Hall, American Analog Set, Furry Things, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead and Roky Erickson.
Description: Trustkill Records was an American independent record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994. In 2010, the president of Trustkill, Josh Grabelle, formed a new label called Bullet Tooth Records.
Description: BYO Records (Better Youth Organization) was a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the California punk rock band Youth Brigade. Before BYO became a record label, they started as a fanzine of the same name. The zine intended to tackle the issues of police brutality and the negative views towards punks and the punk scene. BYO Records carried that mantra forward and worked to promote punk and other alternative youth cultures in a positive light. The label's first release was a compilation from ten California punk bands with 18 tracks called Someone Got Their Head Kicked In. The cover reflected the aggressive energy of the crowd at punk shows of the era, w
Description: Mr. Lady Records (or Mr. Lady Records and Video) was a San Francisco-based lesbian-feminist independent record label and video art distributor. Founded in 1996 in Durham, North Carolina, the label aimed to redress what they saw as a lack of feminist record labels at the time, and was considered queercore's strongest label. As well as a range of recording artists, the label was also heavily involved in events that promoted feminist thinking and music. Mr. Lady closed down in June 2004.
Description: Mr. Lady Records (or Mr. Lady Records and Video) was a San Francisco-based lesbian-feminist independent record label and video art distributor. Founded in 1996 in Durham, North Carolina, the label aimed to redress what they saw as a lack of feminist record labels at the time, and was considered queercore's strongest label. As well as a range of recording artists, the label was also heavily involved in events that promoted feminist thinking and music. Mr. Lady closed down in June 2004.
Description: Lookout! Records was an influential independent punk label founded in 1987 in Berkeley, California by Larry Livermore and David Hayes. Emerging from the East Bay punk scene centered around venues like 924 Gilman Street, the label became a key force in shaping '90s pop-punk. Lookout! is best known for helping bring underground punk to a wider audience while maintaining a DIY ethos. With its raw, energetic sound and emphasis on catchy songwriting, the label captured the spirit of youthful rebellion and community that defined the era.
Description: A lime green outline drawing on a black background depicts a skull with a mohawk hairstyle. The skull's surface is detailed with a grid pattern resembling a city map. A label across the forehead reads 'LOS ANGELES'. To the left of the skull, bold green text spells out 'REPO MAN'. The drawing includes the neck and upper shoulders, revealing the spinal column.
