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Epitaph Records

From Alfawiki
Epitaph Records
Company typeIndependent record label
IndustryMusic
Founded1980; 46 years ago (1980)
FounderBrett Gurewitz
Headquarters
Hollywood, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Brett Gurewitz (founder)
ProductsMusic recordings and publishing
OwnerIndependent
Websitewww.epitaph.com

Epitaph Records is a United States-based independent record label launched in 1980 by Bad Religion guitarist and business visionary Brett Gurewitz. Headquartered in Hollywood, California, the label oversees several prominent subsidiaries, including Hellcat Records, which is co-managed by Tim Armstrong from Rancid. Additional affiliated labels such as ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, and Heart & Skull Records diversify Epitaph’s offerings beyond its punk rock origins.

Formative period (1980s)

Brett Gurewitz created Epitaph Records primarily to distribute music from his own band, Bad Religion. The label’s name draws inspiration from the King Crimson track "Epitaph". Its inaugural release was Bad Religion’s 1981 self-titled EP, soon followed by their first full-length album How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, marking Epitaph’s debut in long-play records. Early additions to the roster included punk group the Vandals, whose EP Peace thru Vandalism helped expand the label’s lineup.

Following a brief pause due to Gurewitz’s personal difficulties, both Epitaph and Bad Religion resumed activities in 1987. In 1988, the label issued L7’s self-titled album through Chameleon distribution alongside Bad Religion’s seminal release Suffer, both critical in enhancing Epitaph’s market presence.

The year 1989 saw Epitaph sign NOFX, releasing their first album on the label, S&M Airlines, which included contributions from Gurewitz and Bad Religion vocalist Greg Graffin. This era also featured Bad Religion albums No Control and Against the Grain, selling roughly 60,000 and 100,000 units respectively, significantly boosting the label’s revenue and industry standing.

Rise to prominence (1990s)

By 1993, Epitaph had broadened its artist roster with additional punk bands and moved into new premises located in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. Although Bad Religion was foundational to the label, they signed with Atlantic in 1993, releasing Recipe for Hate as their initial album outside of Epitaph. In 1994, Brett Gurewitz departed from Bad Religion to dedicate himself fully to overseeing Epitaph.

Evolution in direction (2000s)

Brett Gurewitz rejoined Bad Religion in 2001, leading to the band re-signing with Epitaph and producing seven subsequent albums, including Age of Unreason released in 2019. In 2005, Epitaph became a member of the official RIAA, a strategic move connected to digital distribution partnerships and eligibility for sales certifications. This affiliation stirred discussions regarding the label’s independent status; however, Epitaph remains officially registered as an RIAA member.

Contemporary developments (2010s)

In 2010, Epitaph added established artists such as Weezer, releasing their album Hurley that same year, along with Social Distortion. The following year saw signings like Australian punk band Dangerous! with their album Teenage Rampage, and Canadian punk act Propagandhi. Additionally, Epitaph targeted the emo revival scene by bringing on board bands including The Menzingers, Joyce Manor, Pianos Become the Teeth, Defeater, the World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, and Touché Amoré.

Sales certifications

Epitaph boasts two albums that have attained platinum or multi-platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America, each surpassing one million units sold: Smash by the Offspring (certified six-times platinum) and ...And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid (platinum certified).

In addition, seven albums released through Epitaph and its affiliated labels, Hellcat and ANTI-, have achieved gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. These include Ignition by the Offspring, Punk in Drublic by NOFX, Let's Go by Rancid, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits, The Drug in Me Is You and Popular Monster by Falling in Reverse, The Warrior's Code by Dropkick Murphys, and Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon.

Current

Former

Numerous distinguished former artists include:

    • Groups that have disbanded such as 1208, 98 Mute, 59 Times The Pain, Avion Roe, Beautiful Bodies, The Business, Claw Hammer, Coffin Break, Danger Doom, Daredevils, Death by Stereo, Desaparecidos, The Draft, Error, Eyedea & Abilities, Farewell, Gas Huffer, The Ghost of a Thousand, Heavens, The Higher, Ikara Colt, The Joykiller, Matchbook Romance, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, New Bomb Turks, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Obey the Brave, Osker, Pete Philly and Perquisite, Red Aunts, Rich Kids on LSD, Ruth Ruth, Satanic Surfers, Scatter the Ashes, Settle, Sidekicks, Sing It Loud, SNFU, Some Girls (California band), Ten Foot Pole, Terrorgruppe, Too Close to Touch, Vanna.
    • Artists currently signed to other labels including Alkaline Trio (Rise Records), Bouncing Souls (Pure Noise Records), Bring Me the Horizon (Sony Music), Death by Stereo (Indecision Records), Escape the Fate (Better Noise Music), Frank Turner (Polydor/Xtra Mile), Green Day (European reissues), H2O (Bridge Nine Records), New Found Glory (Revelation Records), NOFX (disbanded but notable), Sleeping with Sirens (Sumerian Records), Weezer (Atlantic Records), You Me at Six (BMG Rights Management).
    • Former Epitaph acts still active or issuing re-releases include Brand New, Boysetsfire, Beatsteaks, The Blood Brothers, Gallows.
    • Other significant past collaborators include Agnostic Front, ALL, Atmosphere, Beatsteaks, Bombshell Rocks.

Compilations

  • Punk-O-Rama collection
  • Unsound compilation series
  • How We Rock
  • Spirit of the Streets
  • Epitaph / Union skate and surf DVD collections
  • New Noise (2010 release)
  • New Noise 2 (2011 release)

See also

References

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