Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2011

January 2, 2012

Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2011
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2011

Jamie (Fist In The Air Records)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2011? (in order 1-5)
  1. Title Fight - Shed
  2. Beau Navire - Hours
  3. Departures - When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted (one of ours, is that cheating haha?)
  4. Full Of Hell - Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home
  5. Mother Of Mercy - IV: Symptons Of Existence
What band did you discover in 2011 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I saw Defeater for the first time this year; although I've listened to them in the past this was really a bit of an eye opener. I had no idea just how far they had come, I caught them at the Underworld in London and the place was packed, I think maybe even sold out which is pretty nuts as that place is about 500 capacity. The whole room exploded when they started (after the acoustic opener), I was totally blown away. Reminded me of seeing Have Heart a couple of years ago, complete chaos but everyone having the best time and singing along. You could barely hear Derek over the crowd! Although I wasn't the biggest Defeater fan, that show is definitely one of the highlights of the year for me and kicked me back into listening to them.

How will you remember 2011 (in terms of music)?
This year was great for our local music scene (south east England/ Kent). We had so many great shows and tours come through thanks to some amazing promoters; especially Jay Huntley (who runs FITA Records with me). When our venue in Canterbury shut down he moved all shows to nearby Margate and we haven't looked back since; he's managed to get Pianos Become the Teeth, Punch, Loma Prieta, AYS, Hang The Bastard, Basement, Daylight and so many more outside of hardcore too. We owe him everything!
 
On top of that we had CTW Fest 2 which was mental; On Thin Ice reunion, Deal With It and Wardogs last shows and a band of people named Dan (Righteous Dans) playing Rightous Jams 'Rage of Discipline' from start to finish. The whole day was awesome, the venue was packed out and everyone had a great time, no shitty attitudes or fights, just all out fun. What more could you want?!
What can we look forward to from you in 2012?
We have a few things planned which we're very excited about! We'll be releasing a 12" for Portland, OR screamo band Carrion Spring. They put out their debut album earlier this year on a download only basis and it's fucking amazing, when we heard it we had to give it a physical release! It's being remastered right now, will include 3 new songs and brand new artwork. Cannot wait to get it out!
 
Departures will be releasing a new 7" early 2012 to coincide with their planned tours. We put out their debut LP in June this year and they've gone from strength to strength, so happy to be able to work with them. They're the best dudes and do what they do to a ridiculously high standard. Dare I say one of the best current melodic hardcore bands around!
 
Those are our definite releases, more will be announced as they are finalised!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2012?

'm honestly not too clued up as to what's due out next year; I know The Saddest Landscape have a record due out but I heard that might hit late this year. Either way, fully excited for that. I'd love to see a new record from Dangers, everything that band has done has been fucking amazing. End Reign are writing for a new record too, I think it's going to be a split with someone and I'm not entirely sure who's going to be releasing it but they're some of our best friends and a great band, that'll definitely be one to look out for!

What did you expect to be huge in 2011 which never made it?

I have no idea really. Last year, I thought Never Again would be touring tonnes and releasing a full length in 2011 but they broke up. Huge shame, they were one of the best bands the UK had to offer.

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— words by the SPB team • January 2, 2012

Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2011
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2011

Pages in this feature

  1. Opening page
  2. Aidan Baker (Nadja)
  3. Alex Hughes (Hatred Surge)
  4. Amy Oden (formerly of Hot Mess, producer/director of From the Back of the Room)
  5. Andre (Locrian & Land of Decay)
  6. Andrew Nolan (Column of Heaven)
  7. Andy Nelson (Paint It Black / Ceremony / Puerto Rico Flowers / TV Casualty)
  8. Andy Wounds (Abraxis / Clorox Bong)
  9. Aquatic Son (Midwest Konnect / Sway Heavy Records)
  10. BJ (Ancient Shores)
  11. Bobby Hussy (The Hussy / Kind Turkey Records / Bad Omens)
  12. Brendan Kelly (Lawrence Arms / The Falcon / Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds)
  13. Brian Elza (Czar)
  14. Chris (Caulfield)
  15. Chris Brock (Early Graves / The Funeral Pyre)
  16. Chris Matulich (Nothington)
  17. Colin H van Eeckhout (AMENRA / KINGDOM / BLINDTOFAITH / SEMBLERDEAH / CAAN)
  18. Curtis Grimstead (Rorschach Records / Best Friends Day)
  19. Daniel (Vestiges)
  20. Dave Drobach (Grabass Charlestons / No Idea Records Production Manager)
  21. Domenic Romeo (A389 Recordings / Pulling Teeth / Hatewaves)
  22. Eric Solomon (O Pioneers!!! / Black Clouds)
  23. Ethan McCarthy (Clinging to the Trees of a Forest Fire (CTTTOAFF))
  24. Franz Nicolay
  25. G. Thérèse Lanz (Mares of Thrace)
  26. Give Up (Artist / Horders / Sisster Sounds Records)
  27. Jacob Parmentier (Abernathy Designs)
  28. Jamie (Fist In The Air Records)
  29. Jamie Grimes (Drainland / stressball in chief at Suburban Mayhem Records)
  30. Johannes, Ole and Jonas (Heksed)
  31. Jonathan and Kimmi Ashwell (Flannel Gurl Records)
  32. Josh (Expire)
  33. Justin Smith (Vitriol Records / Graf Orlock / Dangers Ghostlimb)
  34. Kevin Beacham (Social Media Manager / Music Buyer / Rhymesayers / Fifth Element / DJ)
  35. Lasse (Dead Section Records)
  36. Matt Fox (Shai Hulud)
  37. Michael Britten, Music Ruins Lives
  38. Mike (Gehenna / The Lesser Key / Devil / Sangraal / Mother Fucking Titty Suckers, etc)
  39. Mike Riley (Pulling Teeth / Firestarter Records / Toxic Pop Records)
  40. Mustafa Daka (The Brokedowns / Vicelords / Los Muchachos Dos Hombres)
  41. Nate Gangelhoff (Banner Pilot / Gateway District)
  42. Nick Johnson (Banner Pilot)
  43. P.O.I. (Rot In Hell)
  44. Patrick Eaton (Old Problems)
  45. Paul Sunderland (Give Praise Records)
  46. Rennie Resmini (Starkweather)
  47. Roo Pescod (Bangers)
  48. Taylor Young (Twitching Tongues / Nails / Young Bros Recordings)
  49. The Dwarves (Greedy Media)
  50. Thom Wasluck / Planning For Burial / Music Ruins Lives
  51. Tim Browne (Elway)
  52. Tobias Jeg (Red Scare Industries)
  53. Todd Congelliere (Recess Records / Toys That Kill / Underground Railroad to Candyland / Stoned At Heart)
  54. Topon Das (Fuck The Facts)
  55. Vince Conriquez & William Cutts (Low Places)
  56. Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake / Paper + Plastick Records)

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