Epitaph Records.

Epitaph Records.

I decided to do a case study on Epitaph records, as they are notorious for their distribution of punk rock music, one of my favorite genre's. They signed many of my favorite bands also, so in a way I felt like I owed them some recognition..

History;
In 1988, 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, which eventually became one of the label's best selling albums and is credited with "saving" the Southern California punk rock scene by fans.
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 eventually left for Columbia Records in a contract dispute, but their album 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.
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 three more albums: The Process of Belief in 2002, The Empire Strikes First in 2004, and New Maps of Hell in 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 Emo and post-hardcore acts as well as 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, this has caused much criticism and scrutiny within its punk base.
In mid-2005 Epitaph was added to the official list of RIAA members 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. 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.
However, the only source that has actually been used for these claims of membership is the official RIAA membership list, which has been disputed. 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.


Current Artists;
Bad Religion
The Blackout
The Boss
Bring Me the Horizon (U.S. only)
Busdriver
Cadence Weapon
Can't Hang
The Color of Violence
Converge
The Coup
Danger Doom
The Draft
Escape the Fate
Every Time I Die
Farewell
Frank Turner (U.S. only)
Frenzal Rhombb (Australia only)
From Behind these Walls
The Ghost of a Thousand
The Higher
The Hot Melts
I Am Ghost
I Set My Friends On Fire
Leathermouth
The Locust
Millencolin (U.S. only)
New Found Glory
Our Last Night
Parkway Drive (U.S. only)
Pennywise (Europe only)
The Robocop Kraus
Sage Francis
Settle
Set Your Goals
Sing It Loud
SoliLLaquists of Sound
Story of the Year
This City
Thursday
Vanna
The Weakerthans
You Me At Six (U.S. only)











Former Artists;
1208
98 Mute
59 Times The Pain
Agnostic Front
Atmosphere
ALL
Beatsteaks
The Black Clits
Bombshell Rocks
Bob Log III
The Bouncing Souls
The Business
Choking Victim
Circle Jerks
Claw Hammer
Coffin Break
The Cramps
Dag Nasty
Daredevils
Day Of Contempt
Dead Fucking Last
Death By Stereo
The Descendents
Deviates
DFL
The Distillers
Division Of Laura Lee
Down By Law
The Dwarves
Error
The Fags (Elton John Tribute Band)
The Flaming Dildos
From First to Last
Gallows (re-releasing old material in North America)
Gas Huffer
Green Day (re-releasing old material in Europe)
Guttermouth
H2O
Heavens
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
The Matches (contract expiration)
Midget Handjob
Motion City Soundtrack
New Bomb Turks
NOFX
The Offspring
Osker
Pete Philly and Perquisite
The Pietasters
Poison Idea
Pulley
Raised Fist
Rancid (now on Epitaph's sub-label Hellcat Records)
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 Sound of Animals Fighting
The Special Goodness
SNFU
Straightfaced
Ten Foot Pole
Terrorgruppe
Thelonious Monster
Titty Sprinkles
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