Touch and Go Records
Encyclopedia
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label
based in Chicago
, Illinois
, USA.
After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine
in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative
and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous noise rock
by the likes of the Butthole Surfers
, Big Black
, and The Jesus Lizard
.
in East Lansing, Michigan
as Touch and Go magazine, a self-printed fanzine
written and produced by Tesco Vee
and Dave Stimson. It wasn't until 1981 that it grew into an independent record label
. Vee (later front man of The Meatmen) was bored with the punk sounds of the day, and captivated by the emerging hardcore
movement in America. Inspired, he put out records by the Necros
, The Fix
, the Meatmen, and Negative Approach
. In 1981, Necros
bassist Corey Rusk joined with Tesco to run the label. In 1983, Tesco handed Touch and Go over to Rusk and his wife Lisa when he left Michigan
for Washington DC. With the label under their ownership, the Rusks hired Terry Tolkin
who signed the Butthole Surfers and Virgin Prunes to the label, and also produced the "Gods Favorite Dog" compilation. Soon the Rusks relocated the label to Chicago
, and Touch and Go released material in the mid-'80s to mid-'90s by bands such as the Butthole Surfers, who no longer have their catalog on the label (see below), Big Black
, the Jesus Lizard
, Scratch Acid
, the Didjits
, and Killdozer
, and continued into the new millennium
with artists on its roster including Shellac
, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
, TV on the Radio
(the latter two are no longer on the label), Arcwelder
, CocoRosie
, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
, and the Black Heart Procession
. Lisa Rusk left the label after she and Corey were divorced. Corey Rusk continues to run the label. http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-4526-punk-preservation.html
Similarly to some other alternative music labels, such as Factory Records
in the UK and punk label Dischord Records
in the US, Touch and Go pursued a relaxed approach to recording contracts, characterized by handshake deals providing for a 50-50 split of profits between artist and label after promotion and production costs. In this way, the label built a respected catalog of influential punk, and alternative artists. However, following a 1999 legal dispute with the Butthole Surfers (see below), Touch and Go began asking bands to sign a 1-2 page memorandum of intent.
In 2006, Touch and Go celebrated its 25th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, the label held a three-day block party event at Chicago's Hideout venue on September 8–10, 2006. Several seminal bands, including Big Black, Scratch Acid, the Didjits, Killdozer, Negative Approach, and Man or Astro-man?
reunited and performed at the event.
On February 18, 2009, Corey Rusk announced that Touch and Go would drastically downsize itself. He cited the "current state of the economy" as the reason for shutting down manufacturing and distribution services for many independent labels like Jade Tree, Kill Rock Stars
, and Merge Records
.
In February 2010, LAS Magazine
posted an article in which writer Ian Christe
confirmed that a 576 page book compiling Touch and Go Fanzine: The Complete Years had been compiled by Bazillion Points Publishing.
, who purported that Touch and Go was not marketing its catalog effectively. The band argued that because its contract with T&G was of an unspecified duration, the contract could be terminated. Touch and Go argued that according to existing US copyright law, it controlled the copyright
to the band's recordings for a minimum of 35 years, based on sec. 203 of the Copyright Act of 1976
.
The US Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit ruled in favor of the band, determining that "when a contract is silent as to its length, it is implicit that it can be terminated by either side," and that "allowing terminations under Illinois law does not conflict with sec. 203, but rather is, in fact, in keeping with the intent of sec. 203."
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:...
based in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, USA.
After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous noise rock
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
by the likes of the Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
, Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
, and The Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard was an American alternative rock and noise rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas. They were "a leading noise rock band in the American independent underground…[who] turned out a series of independent records filled with scathing, disembowelling, guitar-driven pseudo-industrial...
.
History
The zine was formed in 19791979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
in East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
as Touch and Go magazine, a self-printed fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
written and produced by Tesco Vee
Tesco Vee
Tesco Vee is a Michigan-based punk rock musician and co-founder of Touch and Go Records zine. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he is a former elementary school teacher and the founding member, and front man, of punk bands The Meatmen, Tesco Vee's Hate Police, Blight, and Dutch Hercules.-History:In...
and Dave Stimson. It wasn't until 1981 that it grew into an 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:...
. Vee (later front man of The Meatmen) was bored with the punk sounds of the day, and captivated by the emerging 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...
movement in America. Inspired, he put out records by the Necros
Necros
Necros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
, The Fix
The Fix (band)
The Fix were a hardcore punk rock band from Lansing, Michigan in the early 1980s. They were one of Touch and Go Records first bands.-History:...
, the Meatmen, and Negative Approach
Negative Approach
Negative Approach is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1981. The band is considered among of the pioneers of hardcore punk, particularly in the Midwest region. Like most hardcore bands, Negative Approach was little known in its day outside of its hometown...
. In 1981, Necros
Necros
Necros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
bassist Corey Rusk joined with Tesco to run the label. In 1983, Tesco handed Touch and Go over to Rusk and his wife Lisa when he left Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
for Washington DC. With the label under their ownership, the Rusks hired Terry Tolkin
Terry Tolkin
Terry Tolkin was the Vice President of A&R at Elektra Records from 1992 to 1996. He signed a number of critically acclaimed alternative rock bands, including Luna, Stereolab, Afghan Whigs, Scrawl, Jennyanykind and Nada Surf...
who signed the Butthole Surfers and Virgin Prunes to the label, and also produced the "Gods Favorite Dog" compilation. Soon the Rusks relocated the label to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and Touch and Go released material in the mid-'80s to mid-'90s by bands such as the Butthole Surfers, who no longer have their catalog on the label (see below), Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
, the Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard was an American alternative rock and noise rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas. They were "a leading noise rock band in the American independent underground…[who] turned out a series of independent records filled with scathing, disembowelling, guitar-driven pseudo-industrial...
, Scratch Acid
Scratch Acid
Scratch Acid was an Austin, Texas noise rock group formed in 1982. When they first began, their lineup was Steve Anderson , David Wm. Sims , Brett Bradford , David Yow , and Rey Washam and Win Vitosky...
, the Didjits
The Didjits
The Didjits were an American punk rock band formed in Sullivan, Illinois in 1983, comprised Rick Sims on guitar/vocals, Doug Evans on bass, and Rick's brother Brad Sims, on drums. Didjits were known for the aggressive guitar playing and persona of Rick Sims, who often baited the audience between...
, and Killdozer
Killdozer (band)
Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
, and continued into the new millennium
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
with artists on its roster including Shellac
Shellac (band)
Shellac is an American group composed of Steve Albini , Bob Weston and Todd Trainer...
, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
, TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
(the latter two are no longer on the label), Arcwelder
Arcwelder
Arcwelder is an American indie rock band which formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1988. Originally named Tilt-A-Whirl, the group changed its name to Arcwelder after being informed by Sellner Manufacturing Co. of copyright infringement....
, CocoRosie
CocoRosie
CocoRosie is a musical group formed in 2003 by sisters Bianca "Coco" and Sierra "Rosie" Casady. The sisters were born and raised in the United States, but formed the band in Paris after meeting for the first time in years...
, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Matador Records. They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally...
, and the Black Heart Procession
The Black Heart Procession
The Black Heart Procession is an indie rock band from San Diego, California. The band was formed in 1997 by Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel...
. Lisa Rusk left the label after she and Corey were divorced. Corey Rusk continues to run the label. http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-4526-punk-preservation.html
Similarly to some other alternative music labels, such as Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
in the UK and punk label Dischord Records
Dischord Records
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
in the US, Touch and Go pursued a relaxed approach to recording contracts, characterized by handshake deals providing for a 50-50 split of profits between artist and label after promotion and production costs. In this way, the label built a respected catalog of influential punk, and alternative artists. However, following a 1999 legal dispute with the Butthole Surfers (see below), Touch and Go began asking bands to sign a 1-2 page memorandum of intent.
In 2006, Touch and Go celebrated its 25th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, the label held a three-day block party event at Chicago's Hideout venue on September 8–10, 2006. Several seminal bands, including Big Black, Scratch Acid, the Didjits, Killdozer, Negative Approach, and Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man?
Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of...
reunited and performed at the event.
On February 18, 2009, Corey Rusk announced that Touch and Go would drastically downsize itself. He cited the "current state of the economy" as the reason for shutting down manufacturing and distribution services for many independent labels like Jade Tree, Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
, and Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
.
In February 2010, LAS Magazine
LAS Magazine
LAS Magazine, also known as Lost At Sea or LostAtSea.net, is a daily online magazine founded in 1998 by Eric J Herboth. An online social group for the magazine list it in the "Entertainment & Arts - Online Media" category with a description of "Art. Bike. Music. Media. Literature. Photography....
posted an article in which writer Ian Christe
Ian Christe
Ian Christe is an author, disc jockey and publisher. He attended The Clarkson School's Bridging Year and Indiana University....
confirmed that a 576 page book compiling Touch and Go Fanzine: The Complete Years had been compiled by Bazillion Points Publishing.
Dispute with Butthole Surfers
Their approach to contracts was challenged in a court case started in 1999 by the Butthole SurfersButthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
, who purported that Touch and Go was not marketing its catalog effectively. The band argued that because its contract with T&G was of an unspecified duration, the contract could be terminated. Touch and Go argued that according to existing US copyright law, it controlled the copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
to the band's recordings for a minimum of 35 years, based on sec. 203 of the Copyright Act of 1976
Copyright Act of 1976
The Copyright Act of 1976 is a United States copyright law and remains the primary basis of copyright law in the United States, as amended by several later enacted copyright provisions...
.
The US Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit ruled in favor of the band, determining that "when a contract is silent as to its length, it is implicit that it can be terminated by either side," and that "allowing terminations under Illinois law does not conflict with sec. 203, but rather is, in fact, in keeping with the intent of sec. 203."
Catalog
- !!!!!!!!! is a dance-punk band that formed in Sacramento, California, in 1996. Members of !!! came from other local bands such as The Yah Mos, Black Liquorice and Popesmashers...
- All the Saints
- Angry Red Planet
- Smiley Arounds
- ArcwelderArcwelderArcwelder is an American indie rock band which formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1988. Originally named Tilt-A-Whirl, the group changed its name to Arcwelder after being informed by Sellner Manufacturing Co. of copyright infringement....
- ArsenalArsenal (Chicago band)Arsenal was an American band, formed by the former Big Black guitarist Santiago Durango, after Big Black broke up. Durango was in law school at the time...
- BedheadBedheadBedhead were a Texas-based indie rock band active in the 1990s . Bedhead's music was generally subdued, with a polyphonic sound based on the interlocking of single-line melodies played by three electric guitars and one electric bass guitar , nearly always using clean tones, prompting comparisons...
(reissued back catalog) - Big BlackBig BlackBig Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
- BlightBlightBlight refers to a specific symptom affecting plants in response to infection by a pathogenic organism. It is simply a rapid and complete chlorosis, browning, then death of plant tissues such as leaves, branches, twigs, or floral organs. Accordingly, many diseases that primarily exhibit this...
- The Black Heart ProcessionThe Black Heart ProcessionThe Black Heart Procession is an indie rock band from San Diego, California. The band was formed in 1997 by Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel...
- Blonde RedheadBlonde RedheadBlonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
- BrainiacBrainiac (band)Brainiac was an American synthpunk band formed in 1992, and disbanded after the sudden death of lead singer Tim Taylor in 1997.-Biography:...
- Brick Layer Cake
- Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersButthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
- Calexico
- Cargo Cult
- Cash AudioCash AudioCash Audio was an American rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1996 as a guitar-and-drums duo consisting of John Humphrey and Scott Giampino, they released three full-length albums for Touch and Go Records and a variety of singles and a full-length for Orange Recordings...
- ChromeChrome (band)Chrome was an experimental rock group founded in San Francisco, California in 1976.Chrome took part of their inspiration for their rough and sometimes chaotic music from proto punk pioneers like The Stooges. The sound of the group was often coarse and featured heavy elements of feedback and...
(reissued back catalog) - CocoRosieCocoRosieCocoRosie is a musical group formed in 2003 by sisters Bianca "Coco" and Sierra "Rosie" Casady. The sisters were born and raised in the United States, but formed the band in Paris after meeting for the first time in years...
- Crystal AntlersCrystal Antlers-History:Early HistoryThe band started as a 3 piece, Kevin Stuart , Errol Davis and Jonny Bell in late 2006 in Long Beach, California. Stuart, Davis, and Bell met while attending a music class in High School...
- Daddy LongheadJeff PinkusJeff Pinkus is an American bassist, best known for his work with American punk band Butthole Surfers from 1986-1994.In 1990, he and Butthole Surfers lead vocalist Gibby Haynes released Digital Dump, the only album from their psychedelic house music side project, The Jackofficers.Upon leaving the...
- The Delta 72The Delta 72The Delta 72 were an American alternative music band formed in Washington, DC in the summer of 1994, later relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
- Didjits
- Dirty ThreeDirty ThreeDirty Three are an instrumental trio consisting of Warren Ellis , Mick Turner and Jim White , originating from Melbourne, Australia. Since the Dirty Three formed in 1992, they have spent a lot of time overseas...
- Don CaballeroDon CaballeroDon Caballero are an American rock group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group took their name from the character Guy Caballero, portrayed by Joe Flaherty, on the sketch comedy show Second City Television...
- The EffigiesThe EffigiesThe Effigies is an early post-hardcore group from Chicago. The band, first formed in 1980, was active for approximately a decade, undergoing multiple personnel changes, with frontman John Kezdy the only constant, before disbanding in 1990 . The band released 5 LPs and several EPs, most on...
- EnonEnonEnon was an indie rock band founded by John Schmersal, Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon. Currently, Enon is situated in Philadelphia, though the band is known for being part of the New York music scene.-Biography:...
- The Ex
- The FixThe Fix (band)The Fix were a hardcore punk rock band from Lansing, Michigan in the early 1980s. They were one of Touch and Go Records first bands.-History:...
- FlourFlour (band)Flour is the nickname of Minneapolis musician Pete Conway who wrote songs and played bass guitar in the bands Rifle Sport and Breaking Circus until the mid-1980s. He released four solo albums on Touch and Go Records from 1988 to 1994 on which he plays most of the instruments himself...
- The For CarnationThe For CarnationThe For Carnation are a post-rock band from Louisville, Kentucky who formed in 1994. The band was formed by Brian McMahan, who is the only constant group member. McMahan's previous band Slint hinted at the distinctive sound and sombre aesthetic he would create in The For Carnation...
- Girls Against BoysGirls Against BoysGirls Against Boys are an indie rock/post-hardcore band, originally forming in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and currently based in New York City.-Career:...
- The Jesus LizardThe Jesus LizardThe Jesus Lizard was an American alternative rock and noise rock band formed in 1987 in Austin, Texas. They were "a leading noise rock band in the American independent underground…[who] turned out a series of independent records filled with scathing, disembowelling, guitar-driven pseudo-industrial...
- Die KreuzenDie KreuzenDie Kreuzen was a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which was formed in 1981. The name is broken German for "the crosses", and was picked up by the band from a German Bible...
- KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
- L-SevenL-SevenL-Seven was a post-punk band from Detroit, Michigan, United States. The band existed during 1980–1983 and released a 7" titled "L-Seven" by Touch and Go Special Forces in 1982. Touch and Go Special Forces was created to issue records that of a different nature than the hardcore records that Touch...
- Laughing HyenasLaughing HyenasLaughing Hyenas was an American rock band that existed from 1985 to 1995. They formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan and were initially made up of former members of Negative Approach , L-Seven , plus Kevin Strickland and Jim Kimball...
- Lee Harvey Oswald Band
- Man or Astro-man?Man or Astro-man?Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade.Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of...
- Monorchid
- Naked RaygunNaked RaygunNaked Raygun is a Chicago-based punk rock group. Initially active from 1980 to about 1992, Naked Raygun had several short-lived reunions afterwards and a full-time reformation in 2006....
(reissued back catalog) - NecrosNecrosNecros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
- Negative ApproachNegative ApproachNegative Approach is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1981. The band is considered among of the pioneers of hardcore punk, particularly in the Midwest region. Like most hardcore bands, Negative Approach was little known in its day outside of its hometown...
- The New YearThe New YearThe New Year is an American indie rock band, formed in 1999, a year after the demise of the band Bedhead by former Bedhead members Bubba and Matt Kadane.-Band lineup:The New Year is often unable to escape frequent comparisons by critics and Bedhead fans...
- New Wet KojakNew Wet KojakNew Wet Kojak was an American indie rock band from New York and Washington, D.C.The group was formed when two members of Girls Against Boys, Scott McCloud and Johnny Temple, joined three other former residents of Washington, D.C., Geoff Turner , Nick Pellicciotto , and Charles Bennington...
- Nina NastasiaNina NastasiaNina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood, California.-Biography:She began writing songs in 1993, and released her first album, Dogs, in 2000. Only 1,500 copies of the album were initially pressed, with Nastasia putting together the album packaging herself in her...
- Phono-CombPhono-CombPhono-Comb was a Canadian instrumental/modern surf rock group that originated in Toronto, Ontario.-History:Phono-Comb first materialized when Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet played with Jad Fair when he was performing in Toronto to promote a film about his band Half Japanese...
- P. W. LongP. W. LongPreston Wright Long III is an American musician, journalist and documentary filmmaker.He is best-known lead singer and guitar player for the groups Wig, Mule and P.W. Long's Reelfoot; most of his recorded work has been released and/or distributed by Touch and Go Records...
- PinbackPinbackPinback is an indie rock band from San Diego, California, currently signed to Temporary Residence Ltd. The band was formed in 1998 by singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Armistead Burwell Smith IV and Rob Crow. Tom Zinser, Chris Prescott, and Mario Rubalcaba have all contributed drums...
- PolvoPolvoPolvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
- QuasiQuasiQuasi is an American indie rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by ex-husband and wife Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss . Since 2007 the group has been a trio, following the addition of bassist Joanna Bolme.-History:In 1990 , Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat...
- Rachel'sRachel'sRachel's is an American chamber music group that formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1991. Former Rodan guitarist, Jason Noble, played music individually and referred to himself as Rachel's but then began collaborating with now core members, violist Christian Frederickson, and pianist Rachel Grimes...
- RapemanRapemanRapeman was an American post-hardcore/noise rock group founded in 1987 and disbanded in 1989. It consisted of Steve Albini on guitar and vocals, David Wm. Sims on bass, and Rey Washam on drums.-History:In an interview, Albini reported that "'Rapeman' is .....
- Red Stars TheoryRed Stars TheoryRed Stars Theory is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. The band was formed in early 1995 when James Bertram was looking for someone to play guitar with and found Tonie Palmasani , Jeremiah Green and Jason Talley...
- The Rollins Band
- Scratch AcidScratch AcidScratch Acid was an Austin, Texas noise rock group formed in 1982. When they first began, their lineup was Steve Anderson , David Wm. Sims , Brett Bradford , David Yow , and Rey Washam and Win Vitosky...
- SeamSeam (band)Seam was an American indie rock band active from 1991 to 1999, led by Sooyoung Park, former frontman of Bitch Magnet. Park currently plays in Ee...
- ShellacShellac (band)Shellac is an American group composed of Steve Albini , Bob Weston and Todd Trainer...
- SilkwormSilkworm (band)Silkworm was an indie rock band active from 1987 to 2005.The members were Tim Midgett, Joel RL Phelps, Andy Cohen, and Michael Dahlquist. Phelps left the band in 1994. Matt Kadane of Bedhead and The New Year played keyboards on Italian Platinum and It'll Be Cool...
- SilverfishSilverfish (band)Silverfish were a UK-based indie rock band, which formed in the late 1980s, and first performed in Camden in 1988. The band split up in 1993....
- Skull Kontrol
- SlintSlintSlint was an American rock band consisting of Brian McMahan , David Pajo , Britt Walford , Todd Brashear and Ethan Buckler...
- The StandardThe Standard (band)The Standard are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon.-History:The Standard formed in Portland in 1999 out of members who had all previously played in Portland indie groups. The group signed with Touch and Go Records in 2002 for one release, and had two releases on Yep Roc in...
- Storm & StressStorm & StressStorm & Stress is an American experimental/noise rock band. The band's name is derived from the German literary movement Sturm und Drang.-Discography:*Storm and Stress - Touch & Go Records...
- SupersystemSupersystemSupersystem was a band from Washington, D.C. described as a mix of rock, punk, pop and dance music. Originally El Guapo, the group changed their name because of potential legal issues, a new drummer, and general dislike of the original name...
- TarTar (band)Tar was an American post-hardcore band, formed in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois.-History:The precursor to Tar was a hardcore punk outfit called Blatant Dissent, which formed in DeKalb, Illinois where singer/guitarist John Mohr and drummer Mike Greenlees were attending Northern Illinois University...
- Ted Leo and the PharmacistsTed Leo and the PharmacistsTed Leo and the Pharmacists are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Matador Records. They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally...
- Three Mile PilotThree Mile PilotThree Mile Pilot is an indie rock band from San Diego, California formed by Armistead Burwell Smith IV on bass and vocals, Pall Jenkins Three Mile Pilot (often shortened to 3MP) is an indie rock band from San Diego, California formed by Armistead Burwell Smith IV (a.k.a. Zach Smith from Pinback,...
- Sally TimmsSally TimmsSally Timms is an English singer and songwriter. Timms is best known for her long involvement with the Mekons whom she joined in 1985....
- TV on the RadioTV on the RadioTV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
- Urge OverkillUrge OverkillUrge Overkill is an alternative rock band, formed in Chicago, United States, consisting of Nash Kato , and Eddie "King" Roeser . Their cover of Neil Diamond's song "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" appeared prominently in the movie Pulp Fiction, and became a hit in 1994...
- UzedaUzedaUzeda is a Sicilian math rock group founded in 1987, consisting of lead singer Giovanna Cacciola, guitarists Agostino Tilotta and Giovanni Nicosia, bassist Raffaele Gulisano and drummer Davide Oliveri. Steve Albini recorded three of their records...
- Various Artists - Gods Favorite Dog
- Violent ApathyViolent ApathyViolent Apathy is a U.S. hardcore band that formed in March 1981 at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan and sparked the Kalamazoo hardcore scene. The original band was three high school friends from Jackson, Michigan along with Eliot Rachman, another WMU student who hailed from East...
- Virgin PrunesVirgin PrunesVirgin Prunes was an Irish gothic rock band formed in 1977. They disbanded in 1986 after the departure of Gavin Friday. The other members continued under the name The Prunes until they split up in 1990.-Career:...
- Wuhling
- Yeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah YeahsYeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
See also
- List of record labels
- Quarterstick RecordsQuarterstick Records-Artists:*Bad Livers*Calexico*DK3*Dead Child*June of 44*Kepone*The Mekons*Mi Ami*Peter Móren *Mule*Naked Raygun*Tara Jane O'Neil*Pegboy*Phono-Comb*Rachel's*Rodan*Henry Rollins*Shipping News*Sholi*The Sonora Pine*Therapy?...
, a sublabel of Touch and Go - Chicago Record LabelsChicago record labelsThis is a list of notable record labels based in Chicago....
External links
- Official site
- Interview with Corey Rusk (Sept. 5, 2006), Pitchfork Media
- Greg KotGreg KotGreg Kot is an American writer and journalist. Since 1990, Kot has been the music critic at the Chicago Tribune, where he has covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and business issues...
, "The man who survived the music wars", Chicago Tribune, August 20, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2006. - Chicago Reader article (April 16, 1999) and followup article (November 5, 1999) documenting the legal battle between Touch and Go and the Butthole Surfers
- The US Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit decision of the case between Touch and Go and the Butthole Surfers