Vinyl File: Chat with Jacob Bannon and upcoming vinyl releases
You're the lucky reader of the 11th edition of the Punknews.org Vinyl File. This column aims to keep you informed with upcoming releases as well as spotlighting interesting releases, your favorite band's own collections and labels with an history of vinyl releases worth talking about. As always, Vinyl File is brought to you by Ben Conoley.
This week's Vinyl File Spotlight features a chat with Jacob Bannon, singer of
Converge
and owner of Deathwish Inc. We've also got news on upcoming vinyl releases from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, O Pioneers!!!, Lawrence Arms and more
Click Read More for the full article.
VINYL FILE SPOTLIGHT
Our interview subject this week is hardly a stranger to fans of both hardcore and record collecting. Jacob Bannon, singer of Converge and owner of Death Wish Inc. has been involved in the hardcore scene and record collecting scene for over 15 years. Deathwish, known for putting out records on limited runs and featuring stunning artwork is one of the most collected labels in modern hardcore. Read on to find out Bannon's thoughts on vinyl.
What made you decide to start up Deathwish?
History: I released the first Converge releases in late 1991 and 1993 on vinyl. Technically those were my first forays into the label world. Though I was just a kid with both of those releases (I'm 30 now), I learned a great deal from those experiences. Tre, who is my partner in the label, also released 7"EPs from Converge and Inkwell on the Orion Quest label in 1996. After that, we both drifted away from our label efforts and concentrated on different projects. Around 1999, Tre and I casually talked about starting a legitmate" label/ brand. We wanted to break from from the traditional approach that we saw as a negative, and create something new, flexible, and interesting. In early 2000 we partnered to release our first projects: a Converge/Hellchild split CD/LP, and a Boysetsfire 7"EP/CD single. Things took off quickly after that and have been non-stop since.
In August 2007, we merged with Malfunction Records as well.
We currently are a staff of five (including myself), that make all things Deathwish/Malfunction happen.
Tell me a little bit about your yourself and what you do at the label.
I am majority owner of the label. Day to day, I create all things visual (web and print promo/marketing materials, release packaging, etc), create all apparel that we offer, write all marketing material, communicate with affiliated artists, etc. Essentially a little bit of everything. Aside from that I also create artwork for clients, mainly independent record labels and their affiliated artists. I also am a musician, where I handle vocals/lyrics/visuals for Converge, etc.
Were you into vinyl at all before you started work with Deathwish?
Certainly. If anything, my interest in record collecting was falling off a bit prior to the labels inception. When Deathwish started, I was basically thrown back into having to pay attention. For example, the Converge/Hellchild project was released as a reversed groove 12"LP picture disk. Personally, I love creating interesting things, but I am not much of a collector as I probably own less than 100 records at this point. I don't even own Converge records. The satisfaction for me comes from making something beautiful and interesting, not really the material aspect of it. Tre collects everything though, always has, he has a ridiculous record collection. Nate from Converge as well. Insane.
Nearly every release you do is available on vinyl, what is it that you like about the format? Is it your background in fine art?
There is something esoteric, personal, and uniquely engaging about vinyl releases. The size of it, physical characteristics, and the rarity of each piece is also appealing in a sea of huge mass production/waste in CD releases. Vinyl forces a listener to engage the release, to take time and actually be engaged by the effort, whereas CD and Digital releases are meant for listener convenience. The way you listen to and experience vinyl is much deeper then the way you can listen to other medias. If a format could be "punk" or "anti-social" in some capacity, then vinyl certainly would be it.
Do you think vinyl has anything to do with what allows Deathwish to remain successful at the level it's at?
Our respect for our audience and our attention to detail is likely the main reason for our growth. Vinyl is a physical extension of that. I would also say that direct sales thru our Estore also showcase that outlook and approach to what we are. I doubt other label owners are going to the post office with bins of mail every night, but we are. And I personally love it even though it drives me crazy at times.
In terms of investment - you put a lot of effort into your vinyl releases, do they make economical sense?
Good question. They need to, everything needs to as you can operate at a massive loss all the time. Thankfully Tre is great at managing that aspect of Deathwish/Malfunction. Some projects just barely pay for themselves (diecut cover projects, specialty vinyl, etc). Others are significantly more profitable. They key is loving what you do regardless, so when you are dirt poor and struggling, at least you did something you are proud of in some way.
What are some records you've released on vinyl that you are particularly proud of?
The Dead Man's Hand series has been great to put together. The idea was to pair interesting bands together and do split 7"EP releases. All of the packaging was Die-cut, and based on card suits (hearts, spades, etc.). The Hope Conspiracy, The Suicide File, Ringworm, Terror, Blacklisted, and First Blood were all part of that series. The last record of that series will see the light of day, one day (I hope…). 108 A New Beat… Gatefold 12"LP came out great, and I'm real happy with that as well. Also Blacklisted Peace On Earth, War On Stage was one of my favorite vinyl releases we've done so far, musically and visually.
What records do you have planned that you're looking forward to?
The new Trash Talk 7"EP will be great, Trap Them Seance Prime is a fantastic record and I am proud to be releasing that. The new Pulling Teeth album Martyr Immortal is intense and I'm super excited about releasing that as well. Rise And Fall and Blacklisted are recording their new full length albums and I'm extremely excited about both of those bands. Cold World are finally finishing their album as well and that is going to be a contemporary classic for sure. Life Long Tragedy's Runaways album is going to really turn heads as well.
Your band, Converge, has always done vinyl and is heavily collected. Is that something that's important to you?
For many of the reasons I already outlined, yeah definitely, it's real important to the band. That engaging aspect of vinyl is extremely appealing as a musician/artist, it would be safe to say that the rest of the band would agree.
Some of your releases - especially Jane Doe - sell for outrageous amounts. Have you ever considered re-printing older material (perhaps as you did with Petitioning/Forever)
It's been discussed before and could happen one day if the planets align correctly. We'll see…
Do you collect any other bands or labels?
I do collect records, but not well. I collect releases from Swans, Leviathan, anything J. Broadrick related, Robin Proper Shepard related, Deathspell Omega, Hydra Head releases, various Thrash albums from my childhood, and various other releases. My list is a bit eclectic, mainly things that just interest me in some way.I also collect art, and a variety of other nonsense when I can.
What's your most prized piece of vinyl?
What release that's not available on vinyl would you like to see printed?
We are working on releasing those.
Are there any records you really want but have been hesitant to shell out big bucks for?
Plenty as I don't have big bucks to shell out for vinyl. I've let most things that interest me in record collecting pass me by in that respect. Same goes for art collecting as well. I'm too poor to be the collector I'd like to be. Fat Rich has everything I want though, and he knows what that is.
Besides the obvious, what sets vinyl apart from other formats?
It's a beautiful media cockroach. It will never die. Everything else around it dies, but it never will.
THE PUNKNEWS.ORG VINYL FILE
Universal and Triumph, the debut full-length from Los Angeles'
Reagan SS is available now. Only 519 were pressed through Rebel Sound
Records. While the label is sold out of their copies, some should still be
available through distributors and at shows.
Asian Man Records have informed the record-buying
public that they plan on releasing all three of their
Lawrence Arms albums on vinyl. Titles the
band has released on Asian Man include their first two albums,
A Guided Tour of Chicago and
Ghost Stories , as well as 2005's
Cocktails and Dreams . The records will all
see the light of day by April, 2008. In related news, the label also has plans
to issue The Broadways' 2001 effort
Broken Van
on vinyl.
Fading American Dream
>, the most recent release from
Street Dogs has been pressed on vinyl by
the folks over at Pirates Press. The limited
run is available on coke bottle green vinyl and is only available at Street Dogs
shows or through their website.
Some band called
Radiohead
have a new album coming out in a week. Come December In Rainbows will be
available on 2xLP as part of an $81 package that also includes the CD version
and download of the album. You can also buy a digital version by donation
starting next week.
Pulling Teeth
have a new album out through A 389 Records. You can pre order
Martyr Immortal now. It comes as a deluxe 12" gatefold package. There are
500 copies being printed with 150 on blue with foil packaging and 350 on red,
also with the foil.
The latest split 7" from
Red Cars go Faster features songs
from
Owen
and
The City on Film . Each band is
offering up two songs and the record is available on white /250 and red /250
vinyl.
Temporary Residence Limited are keeping
busy. They are currently taking pre-orders for a split between
Tera Melos
and
By the End of Tonight .
The first 200 copies will be available on colored vinyl. They also have a split
7" between By the End of Tonight and
O Pioneers!!! .
Terror
have a new album coming up. Rhythm Amongst the Chaos is going to be on
vinyl and is being released by
Reaper Records. It's limited
edition and the label is presently taking pre-orders.
Rat Patrol will be repressing
Chuck Ragan 's Ole Diesel 7" after the
initial press went out of print. There are also No Idea, Green Hell, UK tour and
Europe tour colors.
Band of Horses '
Cease to Begin LP is coming out on
Sub Pop on Tuesday and like most Sub Pop
releases, will be available on vinyl.
Raise Your Fist Records
has a preorder up for a split 7" between O Pioneers!!! and
Announcement, which comes out Tuesday. Get it
here.
Pre orders for the round "alfalfa green" version of
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
>' new 7", Dolly are being taken at Vinyl Collective and other sites. The
black square version will only be available through
Fat Wreck Chords.
Dashboard Confessional 's
The Shade of Poison Trees is coming out on both mustard and pumpkin
colored vinyl. Get stoked. Pre orders are available at
Vinyl Collective.
Arts & Crafts are having a busy month and
that includes a new release from Stars' side project
Most Serene Republic. Population is out now.
Interloper Records has repressed
Pelican 's 2003 self-titled 12" on colored
vinyl. The release is limited to 1,000 copies.
300 hand numbered white vinyl copies of
The Damned 's Live at Woolwich as
well as 399 red copies of G.B.H. 's
Fucked Up in the O.C. are both available from Cleopatra, who has also
repressed Sham 69 's
Borstal Breakout on pink vinyl, also limited to 300.
Atmosphere
has a new EP out. Sad Clown Bad Summer #9 is available now on
Rhymesayers.
The previously announced
Norma Jean
box set is now up for pre-order at
Vinyl Collective. 400 have one
color scheme while the remaining 700 have another,
The New Amsterdams
are back with At the Foot of My Rival. Pre-orders placed through
Vinyl Collective will be entered to
win a signed test pressing of the album.
It looks like the major labels are starting to pay more attention to the
increasing popularity of vinyl. Warner Bros. is currently fielding suggestions
as to what releases fans think should be available on vinyl. To give the label
your $0.02, head on over
here.