Victory Records
Encyclopedia
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label
founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation
. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels.
Victory Records has deals with major music distributors, which include Best Buy
, Amazon
, Trans World
, Hot Topic
and more. Music by bands signed to Victory Records can be purchased on iTunes; a few Victory albums have also been released on the Australian iTunes
.
or post-hardcore
bands, Victory later expanded to emo
, pop rock
and metal
. The label has had multiple records exceeding the 250,000 sales mark, including gold records The Silence in Black and White
by Hawthorne Heights
and Taking Back Sunday
's Tell All Your Friends
and Where You Want to Be
. Recently, Victory has expanded their roster to an even wider variety of genres, including nu-metal and alternative
.
In early 2002, 25% of the label was announced to have been sold to Universal Music Group
. However, later that year the deal was terminated by Victory. Victory is currently partnered with and distributed by Sony's RED Distribution
.
and A Day to Remember
have mentioned this multiple times in interviews. Endwell and Emmure
stated that Victory Records has always helped them.
On Thursday September 29th 2011, Erik "Hi Fi" Kish, frontman and guitarist for early Victory Records Rockabilly
artist Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
passed away from a motorcycle accident from the previous evening. Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
played an early role within the Victory Records roster as they were often a supporting act on the early Victory Hardcore roster.
Former Victory band Thursday
has had a conflict with the label, citing issues with royalties. The band also cited an incident involving the Victory Records marketing staff producing whoopie cushions for the promotion of their 2001 album Full Collapse
, against their wishes. Thursday stated in the DVD accompanying their compilation album Kill the House Lights
that they chose to go to a major label (Island Def Jam in 2002) and after fulfilling their contract, Tony Brummel and Victory Records welcomed Thursday "back with open arms." Ska group Streetlight Manifesto
is leaving Victory after their next album after numerous conflicts.
announced in a "manifesto" on their website that they were leaving the label and filed a lawsuit against it, accusing Victory of fraudulent accounting practices and for "severely damag[ing] the band's reputation and relationship with their fans." Brummel allegedly issued public statements in the band's name criticizing hip-hop and singer Ne-Yo
(whose CD In My Own Words
was Hawthorne Heights' most prominent competition on the Billboard 200
charts), as well as urging street team
members to conceal copies of Ne-Yo's CD in record stores. On September 13, 2006, Victory records countersued Hawthorne Heights, accusing the band of breach of contract
and libel.
In October 2006, a Chicago judge dismissed two of the three main claims in the band's suit, ruling that the trademark and copyright violation allegations were unfounded.
On March 5, 2007 a federal judge in Chicago ruled that Victory Records does not hold exclusive rights for the band's recording services and that the band can record for any label. Specifically, the Judge stated: "The agreement contains no exclusivity provision, nor does any of its language appear to prevent [the band] from recording elsewhere during the life of the agreement".
The judge later reaffirmed this ruling on May 17, 2007, stating that Hawthorne Heights is still contractually bound to deliver two albums to Victory, but may record albums which are released elsewhere.
In January 2008, Victory filed a lawsuit against Virgin/EMI Records
alleging that "Virgin/EMI improperly induced platinum-selling band Hawthorne Heights to repudiate its contract with top independent label Victory Records", including allegations that Virgin/EMI funded the initial phase of Hawthorne Heights' lawsuit against Victory. The suit sought actual damages of $10M and punitive damages
of $25M.
, These Hearts and most particularly, Design the Skyline
, whom were labeled as "the worst band ever" by many critics sources. Design the Skyline and Victory Records even received death threat
s following their signing. Although, Victory refused to comment on their signing, they continued to promote the band regardless of the negative acclaim. The band however, did comment on their controversy early-on in an interview, stating; "We really don’t mind. We can honestly see why people give us negative feedback for one, the way we look and the fact that we got signed to a mainly hardcore metal label with just one song; we stick out like a sore thumb. And not to mention how young we are."
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,...
founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels.
Victory Records has deals with major music distributors, which include Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
, Trans World
Trans World Entertainment
Trans World Entertainment Corporation is a chain of entertainment media retail stores in the United States. It currently operates just over 440 freestanding and shopping mall-based stores under several brand names....
, Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
and more. Music by bands signed to Victory Records can be purchased on iTunes; a few Victory albums have also been released on the Australian iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
History
Originally focusing on hardcore punkHardcore 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...
or post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
bands, Victory later expanded to emo
Emo
Emo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
, pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
and metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
. The label has had multiple records exceeding the 250,000 sales mark, including gold records The Silence in Black and White
The Silence in Black and White
The Silence in Black and White is the debut studio album by American rock band Hawthorne Heights. It was released on June 1, 2004 through Victory Records. The album was the label's highest selling debut at the time of its release...
by Hawthorne Heights
Hawthorne Heights
Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Their line-up currently consists of lead-singer and rhythm guitarist JT Woodruff, lead-guitarist and vocalist Micah Carli, bassist and backing vocalist Matt Ridenour, and drummer Eron Bucciarelli...
and Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
's Tell All Your Friends
Tell All Your Friends
- Vinyl Pressings :Tell All Your Friends has been pressed four times by Victory Records, with the first two featuring artwork that differs from the CD.- Singles :*"Cute Without the 'E' "*"Great Romances of the 20th Century"...
and Where You Want to Be
Where You Want to Be
-Singles:*"A Decade Under the Influence", released in June 2004*"This Photograph Is Proof ", released in November 2004*"Set Phasers to Stun", released in March 2005-Personnel:*Adam Lazzara – guitar, lead vocals...
. Recently, Victory has expanded their roster to an even wider variety of genres, including nu-metal and 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...
.
In early 2002, 25% of the label was announced to have been sold to Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. However, later that year the deal was terminated by Victory. Victory is currently partnered with and distributed by Sony's RED Distribution
RED Distribution
RED - An Artist Development Company is a Sony Music Entertainment-owned sales and marketing division that handles releases for over sixty independent record labels....
.
Relations with label
Most of the bands on Victory Records have had positive relations with the label. Close Your Eyes, Ill NiñoIll Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
and A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember
A Day to Remember is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida. Founded in 2003 by guitarist Tom Denny and drummer Bobby Scruggs, the band has released four studio albums, nine singles and eight music videos...
have mentioned this multiple times in interviews. Endwell and Emmure
Emmure
Emmure is an American band formed in 2003, originally based in Connecticut, but now residing in Queens, New York. The group has a total of seven releases...
stated that Victory Records has always helped them.
On Thursday September 29th 2011, Erik "Hi Fi" Kish, frontman and guitarist for early Victory Records Rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
artist Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
-Reception:* "Chicago's Hi-Fi and the Roadburners kicked off the evening with engineer boots and pomade to spare, not to mention enough inked skin to line the walls of a tattoo parlor...
passed away from a motorcycle accident from the previous evening. Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
Hi-Fi and the Roadburners
-Reception:* "Chicago's Hi-Fi and the Roadburners kicked off the evening with engineer boots and pomade to spare, not to mention enough inked skin to line the walls of a tattoo parlor...
played an early role within the Victory Records roster as they were often a supporting act on the early Victory Hardcore roster.
Former Victory band Thursday
Thursday (band)
Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records...
has had a conflict with the label, citing issues with royalties. The band also cited an incident involving the Victory Records marketing staff producing whoopie cushions for the promotion of their 2001 album Full Collapse
Full Collapse
Full Collapse is Thursday's second album and their debut on Victory Records. It combines post-hardcore influences with melodic elements and personal, emotional lyrics. The album helped to establish Thursday as an immensely popular group in the indie and alternative rock music scenes...
, against their wishes. Thursday stated in the DVD accompanying their compilation album Kill the House Lights
Kill the House Lights
Kill the House Lights is a compilation album by New Jersey rock group Thursday. The album includes many unreleased versions of older songs as well as three new songs. It also includes a DVD with a documentary on the band and live performances. The name of the record derives from a lyric from the...
that they chose to go to a major label (Island Def Jam in 2002) and after fulfilling their contract, Tony Brummel and Victory Records welcomed Thursday "back with open arms." Ska group Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto is an American punk band with many influences from different genres including ska, from New Brunswick, New Jersey fronted by Tomas Kalnoky....
is leaving Victory after their next album after numerous conflicts.
Hawthorne Heights lawsuit
On August 7, 2006, the Victory-signed band Hawthorne HeightsHawthorne Heights
Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Their line-up currently consists of lead-singer and rhythm guitarist JT Woodruff, lead-guitarist and vocalist Micah Carli, bassist and backing vocalist Matt Ridenour, and drummer Eron Bucciarelli...
announced in a "manifesto" on their website that they were leaving the label and filed a lawsuit against it, accusing Victory of fraudulent accounting practices and for "severely damag[ing] the band's reputation and relationship with their fans." Brummel allegedly issued public statements in the band's name criticizing hip-hop and singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
(whose CD In My Own Words
In My Own Words
- Chart positions :- External links :* at Discogs* at Metacritic* at The Washington Post...
was Hawthorne Heights' most prominent competition on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
charts), as well as urging street team
Street team
A street team is a term used in marketing to describe a group of people who 'hit the streets' promoting an event or a product. 'Street Teams' are a powerful promotional tool that has been adopted industry wide as a standard line item in marketing budgets by entertainment companies, record labels,...
members to conceal copies of Ne-Yo's CD in record stores. On September 13, 2006, Victory records countersued Hawthorne Heights, accusing the band of breach of contract
Breach of contract
Breach of contract is a legal cause of action in which a binding agreement or bargained-for exchange is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract by non-performance or interference with the other party's performance....
and libel.
In October 2006, a Chicago judge dismissed two of the three main claims in the band's suit, ruling that the trademark and copyright violation allegations were unfounded.
On March 5, 2007 a federal judge in Chicago ruled that Victory Records does not hold exclusive rights for the band's recording services and that the band can record for any label. Specifically, the Judge stated: "The agreement contains no exclusivity provision, nor does any of its language appear to prevent [the band] from recording elsewhere during the life of the agreement".
The judge later reaffirmed this ruling on May 17, 2007, stating that Hawthorne Heights is still contractually bound to deliver two albums to Victory, but may record albums which are released elsewhere.
In January 2008, Victory filed a lawsuit against Virgin/EMI Records
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
alleging that "Virgin/EMI improperly induced platinum-selling band Hawthorne Heights to repudiate its contract with top independent label Victory Records", including allegations that Virgin/EMI funded the initial phase of Hawthorne Heights' lawsuit against Victory. The suit sought actual damages of $10M and punitive damages
Punitive damages
Punitive damages or exemplary damages are damages intended to reform or deter the defendant and others from engaging in conduct similar to that which formed the basis of the lawsuit...
of $25M.
Criticism
By May of 2011, the label started reaching mass criticism for signing groups that were deemed low-in-quality compared to many of the bands they signed in the past. The bands that the label signed during this time that received the most negativity include The Bunny the BearThe Bunny the Bear
The Bunny the Bear is an American post-hardcore band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 2008 by Matthew Tybor, also referred to as "The Bunny" hence the rabbit mask and persona he incorporates in the group. Tybor was immediately joined by Chris Hutka, known as "The Bear" whom likewise, wears a bear...
, These Hearts and most particularly, Design the Skyline
Design the Skyline
Design the Skyline is an American experimental metal band from Corpus Christi, Texas. Formed in 2007, the group was originally known as Extra Large Kids during high school and recorded demo songs while playing in their local area under this name...
, whom were labeled as "the worst band ever" by many critics sources. Design the Skyline and Victory Records even received death threat
Death threat
A death threat is a threat of death, often made anonymously, by one person or a group of people to kill another person or groups of people. These threats are usually designed to intimidate victims in order to manipulate their behavior, thus a death threat is a form of coercion...
s following their signing. Although, Victory refused to comment on their signing, they continued to promote the band regardless of the negative acclaim. The band however, did comment on their controversy early-on in an interview, stating; "We really don’t mind. We can honestly see why people give us negative feedback for one, the way we look and the fact that we got signed to a mainly hardcore metal label with just one song; we stick out like a sore thumb. And not to mention how young we are."