Insurgence Records
Encyclopedia
Insurgence Records is a Toronto
-based independent record label
specializing in anti-fascist and anti-racist
hardcore
, Oi!
and punk rock
. The label is associated with the anti-racist skinhead
subculture
, including redskins. Some of the bands on the label are connected to Red and Anarchist Skinheads (RASH) or Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
(SHARP).
The label has released albums by several bands, as well as three Class Pride World Wide compilation CDs, a concert DVD and a few digital music downloads. They also sponsored the publication of The Militant Tradition – Commemorating Canadian Volunteers of the International Brigades
, a short text about North American involvement in the Spanish Civil War
. In 2004, the label offered a free downloadable compilation called Project Boneyard, in response to the Panzerfaust Records
campaign Project Schoolyard. In 2009, the label — along with Turn It Down (a campaign against white power music
) — released Northern Aggression ― Project Boneyard Volume 2.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
-based independent record label
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:...
specializing in anti-fascist and anti-racist
Anti-racism
Anti-racism includes beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism. In general, anti-racism is intended to promote an egalitarian society in which people do not face discrimination on the basis of their race, however defined...
hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, Oi!
Oi!
Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
and punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
. The label is associated with the anti-racist skinhead
Skinhead
A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
, including redskins. Some of the bands on the label are connected to Red and Anarchist Skinheads (RASH) or Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice
Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice are anti-racist skinheads who oppose neo-Nazis and other political racists, particularly if those racists identify themselves as skinheads....
(SHARP).
The label has released albums by several bands, as well as three Class Pride World Wide compilation CDs, a concert DVD and a few digital music downloads. They also sponsored the publication of The Militant Tradition – Commemorating Canadian Volunteers of the International Brigades
International Brigades
The International Brigades were military units made up of volunteers from different countries, who traveled to Spain to defend the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939....
, a short text about North American involvement in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. In 2004, the label offered a free downloadable compilation called Project Boneyard, in response to the Panzerfaust Records
Panzerfaust Records
Panzerfaust Records was a Minnesota-based white power record label founded in September 1998 by Anthony Pierpont, Ed Wolbank and Eric Davidson . In 2000, Davidson returned to California and by 2003, Wolbank was focusing more on music production than distribution...
campaign Project Schoolyard. In 2009, the label — along with Turn It Down (a campaign against white power music
Rock Against Communism
Rock Against Communism started out as series of white power rock concerts in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, and is also a name for the subsequent music genre. Despite its name, RAC song lyrics rarely focus on the specific topic of anti-communism...
) — released Northern Aggression ― Project Boneyard Volume 2.
Partial band list
Note: some of the following only had songs on compilations.- The AnalogsThe AnalogsThe Analogs is a Polish street punk band. They originated in Szczecin, and are quite successful on the local and international punk rock scene....
- Blaggers I.T.A.Blaggers I.T.A.Blaggers ITA are an Oi!/punk and agitpop band founded in 1988 in England. They are noted for their strong anti-fascist and left wing lyrics and activism. They had a couple of top 60 singles in 1993 followed by a top 50 single in 1994...
- Angelic UpstartsAngelic UpstartsAngelic Upstarts are an English punk rock/Oi! band formed in South Shields in 1977. The band espoused an anti-fascist and socialist working class philosophy, and have been associated with the skinhead subculture...
- Klasse KriminaleKlasse kriminaleKlasse Kriminale is an Italian punk rock band founded in the Liguria region of Italy in 1985. Their sound is a fusion of Oi!, punk, ska and reggae. Their lyrics discuss social issues such as work, unemployment, drugs, media, street life, and generational gaps...
- Los FastidiosLos FastidiosLos Fastidios is an Italian Oi! band. It was formed in Verona in 1991, however only one of the original band members remain. Songs of Los Fastidios deal with common life situations, as well as promoting equality, socialism and fight against discrimination...
- Opció k-95Opció k-95Opció k-95 is a Catalan streetpunk band formed in Barcelona in September 1995.The original line up was Carles , Daniel and Raül . Marc and Lluís joined later. Their lyrics include praise for the secession of the Països Catalans . They consider themselves redskins, anti-fascists and Catalan...
- The OppressedThe OppressedThe Oppressed is a Welsh anti-fascist Oi! band that formed in 1981 in Cardiff. Most of the musicians in the band's various lineups were skinheads. Throughout the band's career, the members openly expressed opposition to racism and fascism — in their lyrics, interviews, on-stage comments and other...
- Pinkerton ThugsPinkerton ThugsThe Pinkerton Thugs are a punk band from Kennebunk, Maine. While the band officially became the Pinkerton Thugs in March 1996 , the band has been together since July 1994 under a number of different names...
- The PressThe Press (band)The Press were one of the first Oi! bands in the United States. Formed in New York City in 1984, the outspoken anti-fascist band was associated with Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, of which their singer, André Schlesinger, was an early member. Schlesinger also supported the views of the British...
- The RedskinsThe RedskinsThe Redskins were a 1980s English band, notable for their left-wing politics and catchy, danceable songs. Their music combined influences from soul, rockabilly, pop and punk rock.- History :...
External links
- Official website
- Myspace profile
- Article about Insurgence Records – from ‘’People’s Voice’’
- Interview – from “Redstar 73”