Slave Pit Records
Encyclopedia
Slave Pit Records or Slave Pit Inc. is the production company
and independent record label
created for releasing projects by Gwar
and related side projects such as Mensrea and Locus Factor.
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
and 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:...
created for releasing projects by Gwar
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
and related side projects such as Mensrea and Locus Factor.
History 1984-1993
1984- Hunter Jackson rents a studio in an old RichmondRichmond, VirginiaRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
Dairy building, intending to shoot a space pirate movie entitled "Scumdogs of the Universe". He names his studio "The Slave Pit".
1985
- Two costumes are completed and Death PiggyDeath PiggyDeath Piggy was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They flourished briefly, before Dave Brockie, then their lead singer/bassist, decided to play a joke set while wearing monster costumes as an opening act for Death Piggy. This joke act would later be the basis for...
moves to the Dairy building. - Mike Delaney moves into the Dairy building and names his studio "The Swamp".
- Chuck Varga moves to Richmond and moves in with Delaney.
1986
- Don Drakulich rents studio space in the Dairy building and ultimately moves in.
- Many new artists and bands move into the Dairy building.
- Slave Pit, The Swamp, and Don's studio begin prop production for Gwar performances.
1987
- Renovations to the Dairy building force many tenants out and prop production moves to a tobacco warehouse a few miles away.
- Slave Pit is soon kicked out of the tobacco warehouse and returns to Don's cramped Dairy space.
- The artists solidify from a loose collaboration to real members of Gwar; consisting of Don Drakulich, Chuck Varga, Mike Bonner, Scott Krahl, Dave Musel, and Dave Brockie.
- In October, 801 W. Broad St. is rented as a new Slave Pit.
1988
- In October, the first complete North American tour coast to coast.
1989
- The North American tour aptly named Death Tour 89 begins.
1990
- Slave Pit Incorporated becomes a legal corporation.
- In April, Scumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the UniverseScumdogs of the Universe is the second album by Satirical Shock rock band Gwar. The album is their first album on Metal Blade Records and was released in 1990. It is to this date the band's best selling album and greatly expanded the band's horizons...
is recorded, and released in July. - In September, North American Tour De Scum 90Tour De ScumReleased in 1992, Tour De Scum is the second installment in a line of video concerts by GWAR. This one is from the "Scumdogs of the Universe" tour, hence the title...
.
1991
- In September, Slave Pit Inc. moves to 2010 Chamberlayne Ave.
- In October Phallus in WonderlandPhallus in WonderlandPhallus in Wonderland was GWAR's first attempt at a commercially released, long-form movie. The plot tells the tale of GWAR's conflict with the Morality Squad, after the theft of Oderus Urungus' "Cuttlefish of Cthulhu" . Meanwhile, the giant T-Rex, Gor-Gor is born and helps GWAR defeat the Morality...
filmed.
1992
- In February, Phallus in Wonderland released.
1993
- First Gwar-B-Que at the Slave Pit.
Artist roster
- GwarGwarGwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
- Death PiggyDeath PiggyDeath Piggy was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1982 in Richmond, Virginia. They flourished briefly, before Dave Brockie, then their lead singer/bassist, decided to play a joke set while wearing monster costumes as an opening act for Death Piggy. This joke act would later be the basis for...
- Mensrea
- Locus Factor
- X-CopsX-CopsX-Cops was a side project composed of members from the band Gwar and their extended "family" of musicians. Each member of X-Cops performed in a police uniform and had their own character. They released the album You Have The Right To Remain Silent... on Metal Blade Records in 1995...
- Dave Brockie ExperienceDave Brockie ExperienceThe Dave Brockie Experience or DBX is formed of three of the current members of Heavy metal band GWAR. The band is composed of David "Oderus Urungus" Brockie , Brad "Jizmak Da Gusha" Roberts , and Mike "Balsac the Jaws of Death" Derks . DBX is a pet project of GWAR and shows some of their earlier...
See also
- DRT EntertainmentDRT EntertainmentDRT Entertainment is a New York City based independent record label founded in 2003 by Derek Shulman, Ron Urban and Theodore "Ted" Green. It is now solely owned by Derek Shulman....
- Shimmy DiscShimmy DiscShimmy Disc was an influential New York City based record label founded in 1987 by Mark Kramer. Before it was sold to the Knitting Factory, it was responsible for providing a mass audience for acts including Bongwater, Daniel Johnston, Fly Ashtray, Galaxie 500, King Missile, Boredoms, Ruins, Ween,...
- Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
- List of record labels