Underground Operations
Encyclopedia
Underground Operations is an independent
punk rock
record label
based in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. Established in 1995, the label was originally based in Ajax, Ontario
.
Operated by Mark Spicoluk
, former Closet Monster
member and former bass player for Avril Lavigne
, this label is one of the most successful independent labels in Canada. Spicoluk started the label when he was 16 years of age.
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:...
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...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Toronto
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...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Established in 1995, the label was originally based in Ajax, Ontario
Ajax, Ontario
Ajax is a town in the Durham Region in the Greater Toronto Area.The town is named for the HMS Ajax a Royal Navy cruiser that served in World War II. Ajax is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and the...
.
Operated by Mark Spicoluk
Mark Spicoluk
Mark Spicoluk founded and played bass for the band Closet Monster from 1997 until December 8, 2005. Closet Monster reunited to play Wakestock on August 8, 2009. Spicoluk established the indie punk rock label Underground Operations in 1995.During his period with Closet Monster, Spicoluk played for...
, former Closet Monster
Closet Monster
Closet Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
member and former bass player for Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
, this label is one of the most successful independent labels in Canada. Spicoluk started the label when he was 16 years of age.
Bands
- Abandon All ShipsAbandon All ShipsAbandon All Ships is a Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 2006, the group is currently signed to Universal Music Group, Underground Operations along with Rise Records and its subsidiary, Velocity...
- The Artist LifeThe Artist LifeThe Artist Life is a pop punk band from Toronto, Ontario signed to Underground Operations as of September 2008.-History:The Artist Life was started by Ian Blackwood on vocals and guitar, and Dean Richards on guitar and vocals in January 2006...
- Aspirations
- Closet MonsterCloset MonsterCloset Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
- Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
Past Bands
- Bombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over Providence was a Canadian pop-punk/punk rock band from Brampton, Ontario. They were one of the first bands signed to Underground Operations. Their lyrics mainly have a theme of politics. They broke up around the same time Closet Monster did....
- The Brat AttackThe Brat AttackThe Brat Attack are a political punk band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Their first two albums were released on guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Dave Zegarac's label, 3rd Generation Records. Underground Operations signed the band in 2005 and released their album, From This Beauty Comes Chaos and...
- Chad Michael Stewart/Machete AvenueMachete Avenue-History:Machete Avenue now known just as "Chad Michael Stewart" consists of two band members, Chad Michael Stewart who is the lead vocalist, and Scott Parker who plays the keyboard/piano. These two Canadian musicians, from St. Thomas and London Ontario, formed Machete Avenue in 2005...
- Dead Letter Dept
- Dean LickyerDean Lickyer-Biography:The band’s name pays homage to Dean Lequyer, a high school friend of band member Sean’s father. Dean had introduced Sean’s father to classic rock artists before they were widely popular, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie to name a few. Although Dean died in the mid...
- Hostage LifeHostage LifeHostage Life was a Canadian punk band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 2002, Hostage Life released its first EP, Sing for the Enemy on Toronto's independent punk rock label, Underground Operations, home to such bands as Closet Monster and Protest The Hero...
- I Hate SallyI Hate SallyI Hate Sally was a four-piece metal/post-hardcore band from Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 2000 in Kingston, Ontario by Marc Garniss, Ben Thomas and Kelly Payne.-Biography:...
- Kathleen Turner Overdrive
- Kingdoms
- Lights
- Marilyn's VitaminsMarilyn's VitaminsMarilyn's Vitamins were a punk rock band formed in 1995 from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, playing their last show December 28, 1999 in Toronto, Ontario. In those near-five years they released two albums on Raw Energy and 7"s on Ductape, and Ugly Pop Vinyl. A posthumous collection was released on...
- Means
- The Holly Springs DisasterThe Holly Springs DisasterThe Holly Springs Disaster was a metalcore band with a touch of southern rock out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. They toured Canada 7 times independently with The Ghost Cried Murder , Buckhunter & Sick City supporting 16 demos and various pre-demo discs before collaborating with producer Zach Ohren to...
- These Silhouettes
Discography
- 1999: Closet MonsterCloset MonsterCloset Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
- A Fight for What Is RightA Fight for What Is Right (album)A Fight for What Is Right was the third album by Canadian punk rock band Closet Monster, released in 1999.-Track listing:#"Uniqualist Me"#"I Have No Mouth but I Must Scream"#"Counter Clockwise"#"Friday Night"#"Higher Education"... - 2000: Closet MonsterCloset MonsterCloset Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
- Where the Fuck Is Revolution?Where the Fuck Is Revolution? (album)Where The Fuck Is Revolution? was the fourth album by Canadian punk rock band Closet Monster, released in 2000.-Track listing:#"Right From Birth"#"Lockdown"#"Class Oppression 101"#"Dearest Asshole"#"Freedom Is Slavery"... - 2002: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- Search for the Truth EP - 2002: (coles) Notes From The Underground compilation
- 2002: Closet MonsterCloset MonsterCloset Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
- Killed the Radio StarKilled the Radio Star (album)Killed The Radio Star was the fifth album by Canadian punk rock band Closet Monster, released in 2002.-Track listing:#"Battle Cry For A Better World"#"Mr. Holland Vs... - 2003: Marilyn's VitaminsMarilyn's VitaminsMarilyn's Vitamins were a punk rock band formed in 1995 from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, playing their last show December 28, 1999 in Toronto, Ontario. In those near-five years they released two albums on Raw Energy and 7"s on Ductape, and Ugly Pop Vinyl. A posthumous collection was released on...
- Vans Don't Run On Love And Records Aren't Pressed With Smiles - 2003: Bombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over Providence was a Canadian pop-punk/punk rock band from Brampton, Ontario. They were one of the first bands signed to Underground Operations. Their lyrics mainly have a theme of politics. They broke up around the same time Closet Monster did....
- Liberty's Ugly Best Friend - 2003: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- A Calculated Use of SoundA Calculated Use of SoundA Calculated Use of Sound is an EP released by Protest the Hero in 2003. It was later re-released in 2004 with re-mastered tracks, a remade cover with a black color scheme, and an additional song titled "Soft Targets Make Softer Graves"....
EP - 2004: Hostage LifeHostage LifeHostage Life was a Canadian punk band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 2002, Hostage Life released its first EP, Sing for the Enemy on Toronto's independent punk rock label, Underground Operations, home to such bands as Closet Monster and Protest The Hero...
- Sing for the EnemySing for the EnemyHostage Life's debut EP, Sing for the Enemy was released by Toronto's Underground Operations record label in 2004.-Track listing:#"Happy Two Thousand And Anything or In New York It Rained Bodies, In Kabul It Rained Bombs And To A Lesser Extent Food Packages" – 1:59#"Money Parade or Atlas Farted or...
EP - 2004: Closet MonsterCloset MonsterCloset Monster was a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario.-Biography:Closet Monster formed in 1997 and broke up in 2005. They played their final show on December 8, 2005 at the Phoenix in Toronto with Underground Operations label mates Dead Letter Dept, Bombs Over Providence, Hostage Life and...
- We Rebuilt This CityWe Rebuilt This City (album)We Rebuilt This City was the last and sixth album by Canadian punk rock band Closet Monster, released in 2004. Mamma Anti-Fascisto: Never Surrender and Punk Rock Ruined our Lives were the two singles released from this album.-Track listing:... - 2005: The Power of Music compilation
- 2005: Dead Letter Dept.Dead Letter Dept.Dead Letter Dept., formerly known as The Stiffs, are a band from Ontario, Canada. The band consists of Rob Moir - , Mike Leblanc - , Andrew Sparks - , Danny Complex - . The band announced their break up on their Myspace blog in 2008. Their songs are mainly about girls and relationship with the...
- Rock N' Roll Hates You - 2005: The Brat AttackThe Brat AttackThe Brat Attack are a political punk band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Their first two albums were released on guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Dave Zegarac's label, 3rd Generation Records. Underground Operations signed the band in 2005 and released their album, From This Beauty Comes Chaos and...
- From This Beauty Comes Chaos And MayhemFrom This Beauty Comes Chaos and MayhemFrom This Beauty Comes Chaos and Mayhem was the third album by Canadian punk rock band Brat Attack, released in 2005. It is the band's first and only release with Ontario label Underground Operations. The Brat Attack lineup for this record was Dave Zegarac, Johnny Perrin, Chanelle Birks, Matt Mayor... - 2005: Bombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over ProvidenceBombs Over Providence was a Canadian pop-punk/punk rock band from Brampton, Ontario. They were one of the first bands signed to Underground Operations. Their lyrics mainly have a theme of politics. They broke up around the same time Closet Monster did....
- Shake Your Body Politic - 2006: Machete AvenueMachete Avenue-History:Machete Avenue now known just as "Chad Michael Stewart" consists of two band members, Chad Michael Stewart who is the lead vocalist, and Scott Parker who plays the keyboard/piano. These two Canadian musicians, from St. Thomas and London Ontario, formed Machete Avenue in 2005...
- The First Cuts - 2006: I Hate SallyI Hate SallyI Hate Sally was a four-piece metal/post-hardcore band from Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 2000 in Kingston, Ontario by Marc Garniss, Ben Thomas and Kelly Payne.-Biography:...
- Don't Worry LadyDon't Worry LadyDon't Worry Lady is the second full length album by the hardcore/thrash band I Hate Sally. The album was released in 2006; shortly after this I Hate Sally was signed to Vagrant Records and the album was re-released for the US and UK in 2007 on the band's second label.-Lyrical Themes:Song titles on... - 2006: Hostage LifeHostage LifeHostage Life was a Canadian punk band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 2002, Hostage Life released its first EP, Sing for the Enemy on Toronto's independent punk rock label, Underground Operations, home to such bands as Closet Monster and Protest The Hero...
- Walking PapersWalking PapersHostage Life's first LP, following the 2002 release of their EP, Sing for the Enemy, Walking Papers has not only received positive attention from across Canada, but has also spawned the single "This Song Was Written By A Committee", which has already seen extensive radio play on Toronto's popular...
LP - 2006: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- Kezia - 2007: The Holly Springs Disaster - Motion Sickness Love
- 2007: I Hate SallyI Hate SallyI Hate Sally was a four-piece metal/post-hardcore band from Ontario, Canada. It was formed in 2000 in Kingston, Ontario by Marc Garniss, Ben Thomas and Kelly Payne.-Biography:...
Vs GFKGFK (band)GFK are a Canadian hardcore metal band, formed in Quebec in 1996. According to their biography, they are "a head-on, relentless blend of hardcore and metal that actually manages to thoughtfully and intelligently address issues of relevance to anyone living under the current downward spiral of...
- Sp(l)it EPI Hate Sally Vs GFK: Sp(l)it EPSpit EP is a split EP between the hardcore/thrash band I Hate Sally and the thrash metal band GFK released in 2007 on CD and 7" vinyl. -Track listing:Side A - I Hate Sally#"Half Truth " - 2:42#"Show Me A Liar " - 2:35... - 2007: These Silhouettes - The Thomas ep
- 2008: Dean LickyerDean Lickyer-Biography:The band’s name pays homage to Dean Lequyer, a high school friend of band member Sean’s father. Dean had introduced Sean’s father to classic rock artists before they were widely popular, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie to name a few. Although Dean died in the mid...
- Dean Lickyer - 2008: Means - To Keep Me From Sinking
- 2008: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- FortressFortress (Protest the Hero album)Fortress debuted at #95 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart with first week sales of 7,600 copies, also managing #10 spot on the Billboard Top Independent Album chart. In Canada, the album achieved #1 status the first week of its release... - 2008: LightsLights (singer)Lights Valerie Poxleitner is a Canadian electronic musician, signed to her own personal label, Lights Music. Her most notable singles include "Ice", "Second Go" and "Toes". In 2009, she was awarded the Juno Award for "Best New Artist".-Early life:Lights was born in Timmins, Ontario. Her parents...
- LightsLights (EP)Lights is the self-titled debut EP by Canadian recording artist Lights, released on iTunes on April 22, 2008. It was rereleased digitally and physically on September 16, 2008.-Release:...
EP - 2008: Aspirations - Aspirations EP
- 2008: The Artist LifeThe Artist LifeThe Artist Life is a pop punk band from Toronto, Ontario signed to Underground Operations as of September 2008.-History:The Artist Life was started by Ian Blackwood on vocals and guitar, and Dean Richards on guitar and vocals in January 2006...
- Let's Start a Riot EP - 2008: Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Marauders!Wolves!Scavengers!Party!
- 2009: Kingdoms - Daughters of Atlas EP
- 2009: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- Gallop Meets the EarthGallop Meets the EarthGallop Meets the Earth is the first live CD/DVD by Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero released on September 29, 2009. The two disc package includes the band's live performance from Toronto, Ontario on audio CD and on DVD in high definition with 5.1 Surround Sound... - 2010: Abandon All ShipsAbandon All ShipsAbandon All Ships is a Canadian rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Formed in 2006, the group is currently signed to Universal Music Group, Underground Operations along with Rise Records and its subsidiary, Velocity...
- GeevingGeeving-Release history:- Musicians :Abandon All Ships* Angelo Aita – unclean vocals, composer* Martin Broda – clean vocals, bass guitar, composer* Kyler Stephen Browne – lead guitars* Andrew Paiano – guitars, bass guitar, drums, composer... - 2011: Protest the HeroProtest the HeroProtest the Hero is a Canadian progressive metal band from Whitby, Ontario. Originally named Happy Go Lucky, the band line-up has remained the same since their formation in 1999. The band changed their name to Protest the Hero shortly before releasing their debut EP, Search for the Truth, in 2002...
- ScurrilousScurrilousScurrilous is the third studio album by Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero. It was released on March 22, 2011 on Vagrant Records in the US and Underground Operations in Canada. The word scurrilous is defined as "vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed; coarse, vulgar, abusive, or... - 2011: The Artist LifeThe Artist LifeThe Artist Life is a pop punk band from Toronto, Ontario signed to Underground Operations as of September 2008.-History:The Artist Life was started by Ian Blackwood on vocals and guitar, and Dean Richards on guitar and vocals in January 2006...
- Impossible
External links
- Official site
- Underground Operations on Myspace