Feature / Music / Year End 2015
Pass The Mic: Record Labels on 2015

Every year since 2006, Scene Point Blank has made it our mission to find out what our community thought of the previous twelve months in music. At the end of each year we reach out to artists, record labels and other industry figures working in punk, hardcore and more to ask them what shaped their 2015. In this year's instalment we hear from some of our favorite record labels and hear what they thought were the best albums of the year, what they're up to in 2016, and their take on physical formats – will we see more CDs/vinyl/cassettes next year? It's over to them to find out.

(Look out for part two of this feature where we ask bands and artists for their take on 2015 too – coming soon!)

Meanwhile, here are some highlights from the collection of interviews spanning the next few pages:

Andrew Horne (Specialist Subject Records/Bangers)

If you look at it objectively physical formats are totally "unnecessary" these days, buying an album is a luxury purchase.

Brent Eyestone (Magic Bullet Records, Bleach Everything-vocals)

I’ve said it before: if Power Trip was around in ’83, you’re talking about “The Big Five” and not “The Big Four” when it comes to thrash metal.

Will Butler (To Live a Lie Records)

Movies are going to all become part of the cloud but I hope music stays tangible. Do any of the platforms really deliver well? Do they really support the underground?

Andrew Horne (Specialist Subject Records/Bangers)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Tenement – Predatory Headlights (Don Giovanni)
2. All Dogs – Kicking Every Day (Salinas)
3. The Sidekicks – Runners In The Nerved World
4. Royal Headache – High (What's Your Rupture?)
5. Screaming Females – Rose Mountain (Don Giovanni)

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I'm not sure how much of an impact it's had on my life but I recently discovered Sunny & the Sunsets and have been listening to the album Antenna to the Afterworld pretty obsessively. I love it, it's just great weird rock with sci-fi themes. I tend to do that with music, get obsessive about certain records and then play them to death in a short space of time.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

I'll probably remember it as the busiest, most hectic year Specialist Subject has had yet, it's been great though. Put out 10 records this year which is more than ever before. Bangers released a new album too which is always a pleasure to be involved with.

I also just got off tour playing bass as part of UK version of Dan Andriano in Emergency Room, so that was pretty exciting! That's a tour I won't forget in a hurry!

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

For Specialist Subject, lots more records! We just started taking subscriptions for our 2016 Season Ticket so we're committed to putting out at least 10 LPs next year now which is a scary thought! Already announced the new Muncie Girls album which is out in March, super excited for people to hear that one and got about 6-7 others in the pipeline already so it's shaping up to be a good one.

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Probably the new Martha album. I loved Courting Strong so much very excited to hear what they've been working on for the new one.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

If you look at it objectively physical formats are totally "unnecessary" these days, buying an album is a luxury purchase. It's all personal preference; if people find value and in owning a record, CD, tape and it makes people appreciate that album more as a work of art then it's all good. The only thing that matters is creating music that people care about and people will consume it in which ever way they like.

I'm planning to release most albums we do next year on LP, CD, Tape, and Digitally, I'd hate to think that people would pass up on checking out our releases because they don't collect vinyl or prefer CDs or tapes or whatever. All physical formats are equally dumb in 2015/2016 but having an album available on a physical format still adds a certain level of legitimacy for people vs digital only releases. Ultimately if people are still buying records and it's still a way for bands to make some money and support themselves then that's the most important thing.

Brent Eyestone (Magic Bullet Records, Bleach Everything-vocals)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Noel Gallagher - Chasing Yesterday
2. Nothing - Guilty of Everything
3. Tau Cross - s/t
4. Ryan Adams - Live at Carnegie Hall (6xLP edition because it features an acoustic version of “Rats in the Wall”)
5. Torche - Restarter

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I finally got around to listening to Nothing. I was never averse to it, it was just a matter of finding time to check out what they’d done. I remember when Nicky was in legal trouble and had to go away, so to hear how he re-emerged and found his footing again via sound was super powerful to experience. I’m also super into the political aspect of the band. They put money where their beliefs are, which is more punk than most of the punk bands I listened to my whole life.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

2015 was a year that I really challenged myself output-wise. I think we did 20 new releases and reissues on top of all the regular represses of the various titles. That’s on top of (and sometimes overlapping) the albums I played on and material I worked on with other this year. It was a lot of work! Outside of our corner of the world, 2015 seemed to be a good mix of older bands and newer bands going out and experiencing a lot of support from live audiences. I don’t recall too many people complaining about live show attendance this year, so that’s been great. I’m sure there’s so much music from 2015 that I won’t catch up on until later years, so I’m looking forward to finding out what I missed and writing it down for later.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

• Power Trip + Integrity split 12” + digital
• Integrity - Those Who fear Tomorrow remastered digital + CD
• RLYR - Delayer LP + digital (mem. of Pelican and Locrian)
• The Infamous Gehenna + Bleach Everything - Heavy Metal Suicide 7” + Digital
• Bleach Everything - The End of Everything Good LP + Digital
• Christie Front Drive - “4010” b/w “Away” 7” reissue
• Coliseum + Doomriders - split 7”

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Power Trip’s next LP on Southern Lord. Sorry, but that’s the only record I’m insanely giddy for. I’ve said it before: if this band was around in ’83, you’re talking about “The Big Five” and not “The Big Four” when it comes to thrash metal.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

I don’t worry as much as others might when it comes to streaming and downloads. We do great in those areas since our output is so diverse. On the physical end, I’ve got the same philosophy and approach we’ve always had: just make something you’d actually want to own yourself. You can’t expect people to buy a CD or an LP if it’s not exciting or above and beyond what’s expected of each format. Also, I think it’s really important that, no matter what the format, the music itself has to be truly great these days. There’s such a glut out there that, as a label, you really shouldn’t be doing things as favors or just putting things out to have something out. I’ve been guilty of both at various points in the past, but I think it’s important to be way more discerning as a record label in 2016. It’s for the betterment of everybody and will hopefully cut down on the sheer amount of clutter to sift through.

Chris Mason (Dirt Cult Records, Low Culture)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Royal Headache - High LP
2. Radioactivity - Silent Kill LP
3. Vacation - Non Person LP
4. Tenement - Predatory Highlights LP
5. Sonny Vincent and Rocket from the Crypt - Vintage Piss LP

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Probably the best discovery of 2015 was Ex-Cult, whose name I'd seen around, but who I had never really bothered to check out until I stumbled into their show earlier this year. That show still stands out as one of the best of 2015 and I'm not entirely sure why, except that for whatever reason every band was exactly what I needed to hear at that exact time. Another band that I discovered that night was a local band called Dark//Light. They are ex-Triggers. Unfortunately, I don't think they have anything released yet. 

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

This was the year that I tried, and failed, to slow way down in terms of releases on Dirt Cult. What can I say? Releasing records is an addiction. Also, I probably went to more shows (that I didn't play) this year than any other. As I'm writing this on Nov. 10, I believe the count is somewhere around 75.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

Low Culture is hoping to record a new LP in early 2016. And Dirt Cult has a ton of releases coming up from Defect Defect (their last record), Bullnettle (ex-This is My Fist), Turkish Techno, Blodad Tand, Marriage + Cancer, Fashionism, Divers, and more I'm sure...

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Aside from the ones mentioned above, I heard Bad Sports and Mind Spiders have new records coming out on Dirtnap. I've also heard Witches With Dicks is back and releasing a 1-sided 12" on Dead Broke. Marvelous Mark (from the Marvelous Darlings) is releasing an LP on Drunken Sailor. I'm sure there's a ton of additional releases that I will be excited about...I just don't know about them yet. 

Low Culture is hoping to record a new LP in early 2016. And Dirt Cult has a ton of releases coming up from Defect Defect (their last record), Bullnettle (ex-This is My Fist), Turkish Techno, Blodad Tand, Marriage + Cancer, Chandeli'ers (ex-Bent Outta Shape, Ringers, Besties, World Inferno Friendship Society), Fashionism, Divers, and more I'm sure...

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

I'm still a fan of physical formats - specifically vinyl, but this is the first year that I've had a Spotify account and I kinda love it. But while I certainly don't fault anyone for preferring the convenience of streaming services, I still prefer to have a physical copy of the records I love. Perhaps that's materialistic. I don't know. 

As for a shift in the conversation on a label level, it seems like my label owner friends have shifted from decrying digital media to begrudgingly accepting it to embracing it. While there will always be a market for physical media (the majority of people who are currently buying punk records will probably always buy punk records), the convenience of digital media will likely win over most people. And, really, I think that's ok. 

Cory Von Bohlen (Halo of Flies Records)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Not On Tour - Bad Habits LP
2. Black Tower - The Secret Fire LP
3. Thurm - s/t LP
4. Ultha - Pain Cleanses Every Doubt LP
5. Arch Enemy - War Eternal

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Svalbard. really great UK hardcore/post hc/etc. I got really excited for a 'hardcore' record which is rare these days for me, even though it's the overall/umbrella genre I release.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

Record pressing plants being overrun by major label dreck and watching myself and others go insane because of it. 

Musically I think 2015 was similar to 2014, re: mostly good. 

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

New records from Rorcal, Ancst, Dark Circles, Abstracter, Totem Skin, Northless, Primitive Man, Anopheli, maybe more. (Note half of this list should've happened in 2015, see above answer.)

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Primarily ones I'm involved with to be honest. I cant think of a band that has a record coming in 2016 that I'm on the edge of my chair about, though that might change.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

Super relevant. Physical means more than ever in a world where everything goes by in a second and everything seems part of a temporary new feed. 

That said, digital players/services from Bandcamp to iTunes to Youtube is where most people actually discover and listen to music. So that, in of itself, speaks to the need to have access to those platforms whether you are a label or a band. I think we will see more 'digital' releases well ahead of physical until manufacturing catches up (it's possible). And we will see far more discussions about how payments to artists/labels are made as a growing portion of sales are coming from digital, at least where larger artists/labels are concerned. 

Mike Riley (Toxic Pop Records)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Night Birds - Mutiny at Muscle Beach
2. Hex Dispensers - III
3. Tenement - Predatory Headlights
4. Beach Slang - The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like We Do
5. Widows Watch - This Message Repeats

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

The Creeps (Canada). Somehow I slept on this band for years despite owning a bunch of their records, but one day earlier this year I popped on Eulogies and I just couldn't stop playing it. I've listened to that album this year more than anything else by far. Melodic punk rock perfection with an essence of gloom hovering over the whole thing.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

The year Night Birds wrote their best album and my buddy Darick took over on drum duties for them. The year Baltimore's most underrated band, Dead Mechanical, called it quits. The year I got to see the Replacements live and it was way better than expected.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

Volume 2 of Tenement's Bruised Music and the 2nd EP from Baltimore's Advlts.

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Iron Chic's next album.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

For me personally, purchasing physical formats are how I support a band on the road. At the same time I'm struggling with the amount of stuff I have and I'm constantly fantasizing about selling the majority of it and just going digital with everything since that's primarily how I listen to music these days. I think the cassette resurgence is a fad that will have come and gone by the end of 2016. Vinyl will continue to be the format of choice for many, as it has for years, and fetishized by people who think 180g re-release of an Eagles album is must-have.

Wells Tipley (86'd Records)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Dead Bars - Emergency single
2. Fortvivlan - Kaotiska EP
3. Basement Benders-  s/t EP
4. Mouth - s/t
5. Notches - Huge EP

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Bob Seger. More of a re-discovery. I spent a lot of time feeling against the wind this year. I listened to a lot of album cuts on the jukebox at the bar.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

I finally got settled in my apartment and have all my stereo equipment setup. Neil Young sounds great.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

Boilerman will be releasing their second full-length, Feel Ways About Stuff, in the spring. The band will be touring Japan in April 2016. Go White Bronco (members of Iron Chic, Fellow Project, more.) will follow up 2011's Life as a Monument 7" single with a fulllength titled Ghost Town.

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Honestly, the Boilerman and Go White Bronco records. They're both so fucking good. I'm dying for people to hear these records.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

I don't know but we're gonna find out!

Will Butler (To Live a Lie Records)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

I'm going to throw you through a loop because these [last 3] are outside genres I normally am interested in.

1. The Kill - Kill Them...All LP
2. Man Is The Bastard - The Lost MITB Session LP
3. Title Fight - Hyperview LP
4. Happy Diving - Big World LP
5. Dirty Dishes - Guilty LP

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Again as I've mentioned above, been listening to stuff outside the normal heavier genres, maybe I'm getting softer in my old age. I ran across Happy Diving and had to hear and get everything they had for sale, it was a strange instance where I just got it. Its like overdriven shoegaze/punk/powerpop/grunge and you can tell its made by punks because the one guy in their pictures has a Gauze shirt on. Its like when the doom metal world discovered Torche.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

2015 is the year I tried to bucketlist all the stuff I listened to as a kid even if they aren't so good in 2015: I saw Descedents (RIPPED), Smashing Pumpkins (RULED), Primus (Actually really cool), Fear Factory (Not amazing but damn did they try), and a lot of things like that. Glad to time trip a bit. 

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

You're asking me like I know! 2015 was a slow year for TLAL but damn did I do some cool records, I did an 8" lathe with a screen printed B-side you can see through, a flexi postcard, a DVD/and or USB with all the first 100 releases on them. I mean what is left! I know I'll find something.

Backslider CD, Rabid Pigs LP, Sidetracked LP, and new Impulse EP is what is on the books but look for the stuff between the lines that will creep up on you!

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

I don't even know! I'm going to read through the other interviews on here and find what to be into. Oh, I want to hear the new Cave State EP (Deep Six), the Sex Prisoner LP (A389). Isn't there a new Magrudergrind coming out? Maybe that Shitstorm split with Radiation will finally happen too!

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

Honestly 2015 was rough on the physical format/TLAL. CDs are almost irrelevant in 2015. Tapes are so cheap and easy to come by they are hot in 2015 and I assume 2016. LPs are going to continue to be a pain to press but lets keep them alive! Physical will always win digital.

I do digital just to help the bands get some extra money and for my label too so I can put out the next LP. Movies are going to all become part of the cloud but I hope music stays tangible. Do any of the platforms really deliver well? Do they really support the underground?

Michael Phillips (Escapist Records)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

1. Axis – Show Your Greed (Good Fight)
2. 2 Failure – The Heart Is A Monster (Failure)
3. 3 The Beautiful Ones – Jaded Love (6131)
4. 4 Sweet Jesus – You Destroy Yourself (Atomic Action)
5. 5 Adele – 25 (XL)

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Sweet Jesus releasing their debut LP in 2015 was a pleasant surprise.  It was a record that I didn’t know was happening and it was just a fresh sound to hear in the mix of all the other albums that came out.

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

Escapist celebrated 10 years as a label in 2015.  It was exciting to look back at the past ten years and what was accomplished, but also celebrate what the label is currently doing.  I got to throw a label showcase and having label bands from all over come together to play and hang out together was such a rewarding and humbling experience.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

2016 will likely be a slower year for Escapist as a label. There is only one new release that we have on the books. There is one reissue that I would like to pursue for a release as well, so maybe that will happen as well.

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

Withdrawal’s full-length LP.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

Physical formats are still extremely relevant and will continue to be as we go forward even if the digital world is all about convenience.  There will always be a market of fans that will support the bands and labels they like by purchasing the physical goods.  If you partner a digital option with the physical goods, it just makes it more appealing and makes the discussion essentially a non-issue.

Tobias Jeg (Red Scare Industries)

1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)

It's a 5-way tie!

• Bishops Green - A Chance To Change
• Success - Radio Recovery
• Red City Radio - s/t
• Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material
• Sam Russo - Greyhound Dreams

2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

That's easy: The Lippies from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I saw them play a party in Vegas and it was the first time they'd been on the road. The singer Tonia is a powerhouse vocalist and the band has an awesome old-school, punk vibe. I tell everyone to go see them and everyone inevitably texts/calls me back with a, "Holy shit, dude!"

3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)

Red Scare put out some good records and had a fairly solid year, but two of our long-time comrades passed away: David Jones from Enemy You and Brandon Carlisle of Teenage Bottlerocket. Both those guys were close personal friends of mine and were part of the Red Scare family since year one. Sometimes I think I feel like I've lost two of my limbs.

4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?

There will be a new record from The Falcon. The Lippies will also put out their Red Scare debut. I guess The Brokedowns are already recording new songs? They must've come across some good Krokodil out in the Chicago burbs... Nothington's record (we're calling "Chinese Democracy") has been getting mixed for 13 months now, so maybe that will come out someday? Who the fuck knows! Oh, and The All Brights are doing another EP. Have you heard them? They're awesome and fun.

5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?

In addition to all the music we're putting out (which will be the best shit of the year, just like every year), I'm really stoked on this new album from The Lippies. They really blow my mind and I am stoked for the rest of the punk world to finally hear them too. What else... I hear The Menzingers are recording new stuff, and they obviously rule.

I looked at a 2016 release schedule and see that there's new crap coming from Iggy Azalea, Modest Mouse, RHCP, Bon Jovi... plenty I'm not looking forward to.

6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?

What I have seen is more people telling me that they basically buy vinyl for the download code and see the LP as owning stock in the band. Something not to listen to but to sell down the road if it becomes more valuable. We don't put DL codes in our vinyl, so I hear this spiel all the time from people who are bummed because they bought a record to flip on eBay, not to listen to. HERE'S MY THING: we sell music. Proudly. I'm not going broke and humping boxes down to the post office so some dorks can have collectibles. No fucking way. We're the only label that feels this way apparently, but I stand by it. If you want to hear the music digitally, get it on iTunes. You want it for your record player, get the vinyl. You want it for... you get the idea! Format is stupid. The music and the message is important.