Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record label. Gurewitz took the name from a King Crimson song of the same name. Throughout the 80s and 90s most of the bands on Epitaph were punk rock groups, while it is now primarily made up of alternative rock bands. Several sister-labels also exist, such as ANTI-, Burning Heart Records and Hellcat Records that have signed other types of bands.
History
In 1987, Epitaph released its first record as a proper label. It was the band L7's self-titled album, and it was distributed by Chameleon. The first album that was both released and distributed by Epitaph was Suffer by Bad Religion.
In 1994 Epitaph received widespread fame, both within and outside the punk community, when 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 soon left for Columbia Records in a contract dispute, but their Smash lived up to its name and quickly became Epitaph's all time best selling album, with more than 11 million units sold worldwide to date.[Bio: The Offspring]
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. This came after lead singer Greg Graffin said he wanted to tour more and quit school to do so. The band responded by filling Gurewitz's place with Brian Baker. In 2001, Brett returned to the band and Bad Religion once again signed to Epitaph Records, releasing The Process of Belief in 2002 and The Empire Strikes First (2004). A new record entitled New Maps of Hell was released in July 2007.
In January 2002 Brett Gurewitz was quoted saying that "I had multiple offers for $50- and $100 million for half of my business". He never took any of them.
In 2003, Epitaph sparked some controversy among its fans by signing alternative hip hop artists such as Atmosphere and Sage Francis and grindcore band The Locust, leading to debates about what constitutes the true nature of "punk" music, but so far the new groups seem to feel at home on the label. The label also signed Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon in 2007.
In mid-2005 Epitaph was added to the official list of RIAA members[RIAA Member List] 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.[Independent Labels Sign Deal With Snocap] Another source claims label management joined RIAA in order 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.[Mammoth Press: "17+ indie labels go to RIAA"]
However, the only source that has actually been used for these claims of membership is the official RIAA membership list, which has been disputed.[RIAA Member List]
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.[Fat Wreck Chords FAQ]
Current artists
 Bad Religion
The Bouncing Souls
Bring Me the Horizon (North America only)
Busdriver
Cadence Weapon
The Color of Violence
Converge
The Coup
Danger Doom
The Draft
Escape the Fate
Farewell
Gallows (North America only)
Heavens
The Higher
The Hot Melts
I Am Ghost
I Set My Friends On Fire
Leathermouth
The Locust
The Matches
Millencolin (North America only)
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Motion City Soundtrack
New Found Glory
Our Last Night
Parkway Drive (North America only)
Parody
Pennywise (Europe only, Final Destination)
The Robocop Kraus
Sage Francis
Settle
Sing It Loud
SoliLLaquists of Sound
Story of the Year
The Sound of Animals Fighting
Thursday
Vanna
Water Street
The Weakerthans
Former artists
1208
98 Mute
59 Times The Pain
Agnostic Front
Atmosphere
ALL
Beatsteaks
The Black Keys
Bombshell Rocks
Bob Log III
The Business
Choking Victim
Claw Hammer
Coffin Break
The Cramps
Dag Nasty
Daredevils
Day Of Contempt
Dead Fucking Last
Death By Stereo
The Descendents
Deviates
DFL
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Distillers
Division Of Laura Lee
Down By Law
Downset
The Dwarves
Error
From First To Last
Gas Huffer
Green Day (strictly re-releasing old material in Europe)
Guttermouth
H2O
Heideroosjes
Hell Is for Heroes
The Hives
Hot Water Music
Humpers
I Against I
Ikara Colt
Insted
The (International) Noise Conspiracy
The Joykiller
Wayne Kramer
L7
Little Kings
Madball
Matchbook Romance
Midget Handjob
New Bomb Turks
NOFX
The Offspring
Osker
Pete Philly and Perquisite
The Pietasters
Poison Idea
Pulley
Raised Fist
Rancid (now on Epitaphs sub-label Hellcat)
Randy
Red Aunts
Refused
Rich Kids On LSD
Rontastic
Ruth Ruth
Satanic Surfers
Scatter The Ashes
The Seeing Eye Gods
Social Distortion (re-releasing their Greatest Hits album in Europe)
Some Girls
The Special Goodness
SNFU
Straightfaced
Ten Foot Pole
Terrorgruppe
Thelonious Monster
Thursday
Tom Waits (now on Epitaphs sub-label ANTI-)
Total Chaos
Turbonegro
Union 13
U.S. Bombs
Undeclinable Ambuscade
The Vandals
Vision
Voice Of A Generation
Vonland
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Youth Group (now on Epitaphs sub-label ANTI-)
Zeke
Compilations
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)
*
* Cirle One (5th)
Out of Print Compilations
* Bored Generation skate/surf enhanced CD-ROM (1996)
* More Songs About Anger, Fear, Sex & Death (1992)
See also
Epitaph Records discography
List of record labels
Punk-O-Rama
External links
Official site
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