Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and 2006

Posted pre-2010

Jihad Rabah

(12 Gauge)

Quick Links: Bridge 9 | Chunksaah | Deathwish | Deranged | Escapist | Iron Pier | Lifeline | Magic Bullet | Painkiller | Profound Lore | Revelation | Rivalry | Southern Lord | This Blessing, This Curse | 12 Gauge | Young Blood

SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?

Id say the Molotov Solution/War From A Harlots Mouth Split CD not just because both bands are two of my favorite bands but because I wasnt sure how people would react to such a step away from the other records Ive released. Overall its been a pleasant release and its allowed me to expand more into the metal genre which is what Ive always wanted to do.

SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)

2006 was an amazing year for me as it opened my eyes so much further into the music industry in both positive and negative ways. Its been a super educational year and Ive been able to expand my label to reach some of the goals Ive set for it. Ive been able to make a lot of great relationships with other independent record labels who have been very supportive and helpful.

SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?

I will continue to hope that record labels receive a little more cred than they do now since they do indeed play a large role but are never really appreciated. Personally Im just as interested in record labels as I am in new bands! Its really cool to see what labels want to put their name on and the different releases theyve put out.

SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)

  1. Heavy Heavy Low Low - Everythings Watched, Everyones Watching
  2. Converge - No Heroes
  3. From A Second Story Window - Delenda
  4. Guns Up - Outlive!
  5. Nights Like These - Faithless

SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?

Not very much is set in stone, but Im hoping to work with two new bay area hardcore bands for new releases and as far as what is set in stone; Molotov Solution full-length CD and a Misericordiam EP.

SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?

I want to continue putting out releases that I feel confident about and am one hundred percent a fan of and most importantly, maintain and continue to make relationships with other bands and record labels in new areas.

SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (and more if you want))?

Who knows where 2007 will end up. I just hope theres less grills and 5XL tall tees and more meaningful music instead.

12 Gauge releases of 2006

— words by the SPB team

Related features

Jumalvauhti

One Question Interviews • March 27, 2025

Kalle (Jumalvauhti – bass) SPB: Who is your favorite band/artist from the 2000-2010 era? Kalle: It's hard to say, but Destiny's Child definitely can't go wrong.  Read more

Bronson Arm

One Question Interviews • March 26, 2025

Black Bickel (Bronson Arm) SPB: What is your favorite stretch of highway to drive in the US? Bickel: My favorite stretch of highway is that bit between Milwaukee and Minneapolis, two cities that Bronson Arm always have a great time playing. So if we are leaving Milwaukee, we are usually … Read more

Unstable Shapes

One Question Interviews • March 25, 2025

Kevin Hurley (Unstable Shapes – bass) SPB: What is your favorite Fugazi record? Hurley: While we can debate the best Fugazi record, a personal favorite of mine is The Argument. It was my entry point for the band. I was admittedly way late to the party on them and as … Read more

Retirement

Bike Shop

Interviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • March 23, 2025

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we chat with … Read more

Let Me Downs

One Question Interviews • March 12, 2025

Paul Levesque (Let Me Downs - bass/vocals) SPB: Has the band ever been in a car/van accident while touring? Levesque: Fortunately, we haven’t! (Knock on wood) We have had our fair share of van issues. Blown tires, A/C going out in an hours-long traffic jam in the Arizona desert in … Read more

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

More from this section

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2024)

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's 2025, somehow. When did this happen?! Okay, okay, four days ago. But honestly. It feels like 2012 was only a few months ago. Is it just SPB who's feeling a little, well, timestruck? But don't worry – we've got you. Did 2024 pass you by, too? Still not caught … Read more

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2024

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's a SPB tradition to formally "pass the mic" to our artist and label friends to tell us about their year in music. What albums did they enjoy? What shows did they see? What are they looking forward to for the new year? We're joined this year by a host … Read more