BAD RELIGION
Photo credit: Paul Shoul
“We are thrilled to be working with The Label on our marketing and promotion in New Zealand” – Brett Gurewitz
Epitaph Records is an independent music label founded in Los Angeles by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Early releases from a variety of punk heavyweights spawned what became known as the 90s punk explosion. From the beginning Epitaph’s mission has been to serve the musicians on its diverse and creative roster – an artist-first model, radical twenty years ago, and much imitated today.
The Anti record label was founded in 1999 as a sister label to Epitaph. While Epitaph’s focus has mostly been on punk rock, Anti-‘s roster includes country, hip hop, reggae, soul, post-metal, indie folk, rap rock, indie rock and Tom Waits. With artists as renown and diverse as Neko Case, Mavis Staples, Ben Harper and Cass McCombs putting out records on the label, fans can trust whatever this label puts out is worth checking out!
Lisa Paris, owner and CEO of The Label is ecstatic at the opportunity to work with these labels again, commenting “My history with Epitaph / Anti goes back a way. 20+ years in fact when I was with the Aussie indie label Shock Records. Crikey we had some times! Had the pleasure of having Pennywise in the territory a number of times (oh the laughter, the near misses!), as well as Millencolin, a very well mannered young Swedish band who were blowing up as part of the new wave of punk and remain on the label to this day. The Offspring was massive back then (first time I’d ever seen a beer bong – lol!) and of course meeting the mighty Joe Strummer at the airport as he sauntered out wearing his white Stetson hat to be followed by watching his Big Day Out set under the light of the full moon remains one of my life’s highlights. .”
Physical distribution will be via Rhythmethod in New Zealand and the stock is currently winging its way into the country – more details to follow.
And so it gives us great pleasure to summarise the most recent and upcoming collection of releases from these two great labels below.
UPCOMING
EPITAPH/ANTI RELEASES
The Good Ones Rwanda –You Should Be Loved
Release Date November 8th 2019 on Anti
WATCH: THE GOOD ONES ‘WHERE DID YOU GO WRONG, MY LOVE (FEAT. NELS CLINE)
Since they live without electricity and have had little access to devices to reproduce musical recordings, The Good Ones’ vocalization is based on the singing traditions and dialect of their local agricultural district. They utilize one-of-a-kind instruments as well, often incorporating their own farming tools as percussion. As primary songwriter Kazigira interweaves intricate harmonies with Havugimana in a style frequently referred to as “worker songs from the streets.” With their rural and remote hilltop origins, the harmonic similarities to American Bluegrass vocals is often eerie. Third member, Javan Mahoro, lends additional background vocals and percussion on select songs.
Raised Fist – Anthems
Release Date November 15th 2019 on Epitaph
WATCH: RAISED FIST ‘INTO THIS WORLD’
Swedish hardcore band Raised Fist are set to release their album ‘Anthems’. It’s the quintet’s first full-length album in 4 years and it is set for release on November 15th on Epitaph.
Andy Shauf – The Neon Skyline
Release Date January 24th 2020 on Anti
WATCH ANDY SHAUF ‘THINGS I DO’
The Toronto-based, Saskatchewan-raised musician’s songs on The Neon Skyline, all written, performed, arranged and produced by Shauf, follow a simple plot: the narrator goes to his neighbourhood dive, finds out his ex is back in town, and she eventually shows up. The interconnected songs unfold like short fiction: they’re densely layered with colourful characters and a rich emotional depth. Densely layered with an abundance of charming moments. Read More HERE
Son Little – aloha
Release Date January 31st 2020 on Anti
WATCH SON LITTLE ‘suffer’
“The magic at the heart of Son Little‘s music is the way so many of his songs could be standards, but none of them could have come from anyone else.” — Afropunk
Read More Here
Release Date: February 7th 2020 on Anti
WATCH CHRISTOPHER PAUL STELLING ‘TROUBLE DON’T FOLLOW ME HERE’
“It’s not Americana or alt anything, it’s really just soulful folk music,” Ben Harper says of Best of Luck, the new album by Christopher Paul Stelling, which he produced.
Read More HERE
EPITAPH ON TOUR IN AOTEAROA
BAD RELIGION
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 – Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
THE MENZINGERS
Monday, March 16th, 2020 – Valhalla, Wellington
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – WHAMMY!, Auckland
