Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Get Outta Town Records (Charles Chaussinand)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Cruel Hand - Prying Eyes
  2. Static Radio - An Evening of Bad Decisions
  3. Paint it Black - New Lexicon
  4. Defeater - Travels
  5. Wait in Vain - Seasons

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I realize I'm a little behind on this band and I am sure everyone else has been listening to them for years, but earlier this year I discovered Another Breath. My old band played with them and I was impressed, but didn't listen to the records I had purchased too much. When I moved my label office, I re-discovered the discs and can't stop playing them. Their music is so cleverly written and they have all the elements of a hardcore band that I like.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

In large part, this year will be the year that I got to pursue music much more than ever before. Extensive touring schedules and filling in for different bands has taken me all over. If we're speaking in terms of what I've been listening to over the year, I really like the resurgence of melodic bands.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

Since I run a label, I still support bands and labels by purchasing everything I listen to. That being said, any way kids will buy music I hope is going to stay around a while. I wish kids bought CDs, but purchasing anything that helps sustain a band or label I appreciate. I think that as music continues to move digitally that there will be a desire for tangible music mediums so kids can buy an album, feel the excitement of going home and putting it on for the first time to hear the band. Digital means just don't have the same feeling behind them, which, I think, is a big part of getting a new record.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of anything)

This year took me to my first "real" recording studio experience with Jim Siegel at The Outpost. I went to school for audio engineering and have been playing in bands for ten years, so getting to be on the musician side of things in a studio like that with an engineer I respect so much was really a good feeling.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

I am going to have a busy year coming up. As far as the label, I will be releasing the CD version of the Kid Dynamite tribute alongside Black Numbers Records who is doing the vinyl, releasing the Paint it Black "Demo" on vinyl, Offsides/Wait in Vain "Split" and a Violent Children "Discography" are all in the works right now. Musically, I will be working on the Offsides split, an Offsides LP, a new demo with Porcell on vocals, new DEA EP, and another No Harm Done LP and hopefully a few other things. I am also going to try and write a book over the course of the year. It is something I've wanted to work on for a while.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

I am really looking forward to the Offsides/Wait in Vain split. The new Shook Ones album will be incredible and Death is Not Glamorous has a new LP coming out that I am really stoked on.

Homepage: http://www.getouttatownrecords.com

Related features

Big Sad

One Question Interviews • December 18, 2024

Mario (Big Sad - bass) SPB: Who is the most underrated Florida band (current or all-time, your choice)? Mario: Grabass Charlestons/Careeners Not only is their entire catalog solid, but their last LP, Dale & The Careeners is the best album No Idea Records ever put out. Whenever I find a … Read more

Static Friction

One Question Interviews • December 17, 2024

Derek (Static Friction) SPB: What is the furthest you’ve ever traveled to see a single show (and who was it)? Derek: Oh boy, I just so happen to have a good answer for this one. My wife and I have been planning an Italy trip for about a year and … Read more

Feel It Records

One Question Interviews • December 16, 2024

Sam (Feel It Records) SPB: What is your favorite album cover of all time? Sam: Funkadelic - Maggot Brain Totally iconic, striking, and still relevant to this day. Still wakes me up every time I pick it out to spin. Read more

Red Scare Industries - History 101

Music / History 101 • December 10, 2024

Hey folks, Toby here, and the SPB team asked me to provide some insights about some stuff from our catalog now that Red Scare is (you gotta be shittin’ me?!) twenty years old. Specifically a “memory or modern take” on some past releases, and they picked some doozies, so let’s … Read more

Ultrabomb (Greg Norton)

Interviews • December 10, 2024

UltraBomb is Greg Norton - Bass (Hüsker Dü), Finny McConnell - Vocals and Guitars (The Mahones), and Derek O'Brien - Drums (Social Distortion), replacing Jamie Oliver (UK Subs). References are being dropped like an UltraBomb (like that? ha!) so, that being said: are they a supergroup or power trio? Neither … Read more

More from this section

Red Scare Industries - History 101

Music / History 101 • December 10, 2024

Hey folks, Toby here, and the SPB team asked me to provide some insights about some stuff from our catalog now that Red Scare is (you gotta be shittin’ me?!) twenty years old. Specifically a “memory or modern take” on some past releases, and they picked some doozies, so let’s … Read more

The Fest 22 – Reviewed

Music / Fest 22 • November 6, 2024

How do you sum up a 3-day weekend where you’ve spent approximately 36 hours watching live music and seen nearly 50 bands -- and also missed another 300? The Fest is a wonderful beast where you venue hop to catch up-and-comers, watch headliners outside on the big stage, and stumble … Read more

FEST LIBS 22

Music / Fest 22 • October 22, 2024

 We've rolled out an extra-special feature for this year's Fest: that's right, it's FEST LIBS. You've played it before, but not like this – fill in our interactive form here, then sit back and read your customised FEST LIBS. The results may surprise you. But before you go generate your … Read more