Blonde Vinyl
Encyclopedia
Blonde Vinyl was an independent record label
founded in 1990 by Michael Knott
. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes the label as "one of Christian music's first true indie labels."
, Alarma Records
and Solid Rock Records
. However, the Christian industry had started to stagnate artistically when Michael Knott released long awaited albums from his two main bands, LSU
and Lifesavers. Blonde Vinyl signed bands with styles that were viable in the underground of the general market but rarely found their way into the Christian market--old school punk, garage rock, grunge, gothic, EBM/industrial, synthpop/house, spoken word, acoustic pop. These were styles which were not nearly as popular at the time as they are now. Blonde Vinyl opened the way for the more profitable Tooth and Nail Records.
Blonde Vinyl folded in 1993
when it's distributor, Spectra Distribution, went bankrupt. After bankruptcy, Michael Knott attempted to resurrect Blonde Vinyl Records under the name of Siren Records. Siren only managed two releases before they also went bankrupt. The two releases for Siren records were World Tour by LSU Cash in Chaos and Beautiful Dazzling Music No. 1 by Rainbow Rider (Dance House Children)
. Following the failure of Siren, Knott went on to found the general market band Aunt Bettys.
Voice of the Youth was created for the edgier alternative releases on Blonde Vinyl. Six albums were released under this imprint: product # bvcd 3482 (love gift) by Breakfast with Amy
, Go, Fluffy, Go! by Fluffy, Screaming Brittle Siren by Michael Knott
, The Grape Prophet by L.S. Underground, Plague of Ethyls, and As Blue as the State Allows by Sass O' Frass Tunic.
SLAVA Music existed as an underground industrial music-focused label before joining with Blonde Vinyl for distribution. Three albums were released under this imprint: Digital Priests - the remixes by Deitiphobia
, Revelation 1921 by Wigtop, and the SLAVA compilation.
Blonde Vinyl Inspirational was created for praise and worship music. The only release on this imprint was Quiet Assurance by N Side Out.
Sincerely Paul (who are now SLIDE: www.SlideMusicGroup.com)http://www.slidemusicgroup.com
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
founded in 1990 by Michael Knott
Michael Knott
Michael Knott is an American singer-songwriter and frontman for various bands, many of them Christian. He has released some 35 albums, including solo albums and with bands such as LSU and Cush....
. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes the label as "one of Christian music's first true indie labels."
Background
Prior to Blonde Vinyl, several Christian record companies attempted and often succeeded in releasing artists who were edgy, creative, and original; these included Narrowpath Records, Broken Records, Exit RecordsExit Records
Exit Records was an independent record label founded in 1982 and run by Mary Neely, a veteran of the music business and longtime host for several national rock and roll radio shows, including Rock Scope...
, Alarma Records
Alarma Records
Alarma Records is a sublabel of Frontline Records.Alarma! Records and Tapes was originally formed in 1983 by the band Daniel Amos, with musician Tom Howard, for the release of their Doppelgänger album...
and Solid Rock Records
Solid Rock Records
Solid Rock Records is the record label of Larry Norman. It was set up in 1975 to distribute his own work, after he had been released by Capitol Records. Solid Rock had a distribution deal with Word Records until 1980....
. However, the Christian industry had started to stagnate artistically when Michael Knott released long awaited albums from his two main bands, LSU
Lifesavers Underground
Lifesavers Underground was one of many Michael Knott projects. The band formed in 1986 and combined elements of an earlier Knott project called Idle Lovell and LSU's sunnier alter ego Lifesavers....
and Lifesavers. Blonde Vinyl signed bands with styles that were viable in the underground of the general market but rarely found their way into the Christian market--old school punk, garage rock, grunge, gothic, EBM/industrial, synthpop/house, spoken word, acoustic pop. These were styles which were not nearly as popular at the time as they are now. Blonde Vinyl opened the way for the more profitable Tooth and Nail Records.
Blonde Vinyl folded in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
when it's distributor, Spectra Distribution, went bankrupt. After bankruptcy, Michael Knott attempted to resurrect Blonde Vinyl Records under the name of Siren Records. Siren only managed two releases before they also went bankrupt. The two releases for Siren records were World Tour by LSU Cash in Chaos and Beautiful Dazzling Music No. 1 by Rainbow Rider (Dance House Children)
The Brothers Martin
The Brothers Martin are an indie rock band from Riverside, California consisting of brothers Ronnie Martin and Jason Martin. Musically, they incorporate elements of both Joy Electric and Starflyer 59 : electropop and shoegazing, while modern rock and 80s New Wave are also a central influence.As of...
. Following the failure of Siren, Knott went on to found the general market band Aunt Bettys.
Sub-Labels
Three sub labels were created to further classify the diverse musical styles that were being released on Blonde Vinyl. They were Voice of the Youth, SLAVA Music, and Blonde Vinyl Inspirational.Voice of the Youth was created for the edgier alternative releases on Blonde Vinyl. Six albums were released under this imprint: product # bvcd 3482 (love gift) by Breakfast with Amy
Breakfast with Amy
Breakfast with Amy was an Alternative Christian rock band that formed in 1986 in La Habra, California at the La Habra Four-Square church. At that time, the band consisted of vocalist David Koval, bassist Jeff "Tennessee Beans" Beahn, guitarist Christopher Colbert, and drummer Paul Pellegrin. The...
, Go, Fluffy, Go! by Fluffy, Screaming Brittle Siren by Michael Knott
Michael Knott
Michael Knott is an American singer-songwriter and frontman for various bands, many of them Christian. He has released some 35 albums, including solo albums and with bands such as LSU and Cush....
, The Grape Prophet by L.S. Underground, Plague of Ethyls, and As Blue as the State Allows by Sass O' Frass Tunic.
SLAVA Music existed as an underground industrial music-focused label before joining with Blonde Vinyl for distribution. Three albums were released under this imprint: Digital Priests - the remixes by Deitiphobia
Deitiphobia
Deitiphobia is a Christian industrial / electro / techno band from the United States formed in 1990 consisting of the duo of Wally Shaw and Brent Stackhouse. Known originally as Donderfliegen , the band changed names to Deitiphobia in 1991 to better clarify the band's focus on Christianity...
, Revelation 1921 by Wigtop, and the SLAVA compilation.
Blonde Vinyl Inspirational was created for praise and worship music. The only release on this imprint was Quiet Assurance by N Side Out.
Artists
- Acoustic Shack
- Black and White World
- Black CarnationBlack CarnationBlack Carnation was an alternative Christian music group which released several albums including "It Remains The Same" on the Blonde Vinyl label in 1992. The three-piece band featured Jeff Seaver on guitar and vocals, Kendall Thomas on bass, and Craig Hoeve on drums...
- Breakfast With AmyBreakfast with AmyBreakfast with Amy was an Alternative Christian rock band that formed in 1986 in La Habra, California at the La Habra Four-Square church. At that time, the band consisted of vocalist David Koval, bassist Jeff "Tennessee Beans" Beahn, guitarist Christopher Colbert, and drummer Paul Pellegrin. The...
- Dance House ChildrenDance House ChildrenDance House Children was the early 1990s musical group of Ronnie Martin and Jason Martin that was the precursor to The Brothers Martin. In the liner notes of Jesus, Ronnie described its music as trendy, club-oriented rave music. The group was signed to the Blonde Vinyl label and released two...
- Dead Artist SyndromeDead Artist SyndromeDead Artist Syndrome is a gothic rock band formed in 1990, Orange County, California. The group consists of singer-songwriter Brian Healy and a rotating cast of side men. Healy was dubbed the "father of Christian goth" by Rozz Williams, and is an ordained minister. His debut album Prints of...
- DeitiphobiaDeitiphobiaDeitiphobia is a Christian industrial / electro / techno band from the United States formed in 1990 consisting of the duo of Wally Shaw and Brent Stackhouse. Known originally as Donderfliegen , the band changed names to Deitiphobia in 1991 to better clarify the band's focus on Christianity...
- Fluffy
- Hounds of Heaven
- Idle Lovell
- LSU
- Lifesavers
- Love Life (band)
- Lust ControlLust ControlLust Control is a Christian thrash punk band, originally formed in 1988. They are known for their explicit lyrical content, which is devoted to matters of sexual purity and sin, including abstinence, masturbation, pornography, sex ed, and related topics...
- Michael KnottMichael KnottMichael Knott is an American singer-songwriter and frontman for various bands, many of them Christian. He has released some 35 albums, including solo albums and with bands such as LSU and Cush....
- N Side Out
- Plague of Ethyls
- Sass O'Frass Tunic
- Scaterd FewScaterd FewScaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
- Shelley Rogers
- Sincerely Paulhttp://www.slidemusicgroup.com(2 of the Original Band members of S.P. are in the band SLIDE)
- Steve ScottSteve Scott (poet)Steve Scott is a poet, spoken word artist, and musician. His written work was published by PRIZM Magazine, Radix Magazine, Monolith:UK publications and STRIDE UK publications...
- Tribe of Dan
- Veil of Ashes
- Wigtop
- Windy Lyre
- Writ On Water
Compilations
- Blonde Vinyl Teaser I (BVCD007 - 1991)
- Blonde Vinyl Teaser II / Food for Thought (BVCD0072 - 1991)
- SLAVA Compilation - Voice of the People (BVCD3442 - 1992)
- Radioactive Hits: The Definitive Blonde Vinyl Collection (84418-885-1 - 1993)
External links
- Discogs: Blonde Vinyl
- CMA: Blonde Vinyl
- Tribute site
- Michael Knott's home page
- Blonde Vinyl page on the Michael Knott tribute site
- Writ on Water
- Lust Control
- Massivivid featuring members of Deitiphobia
Sincerely Paul (who are now SLIDE: www.SlideMusicGroup.com)http://www.slidemusicgroup.com