Judge & Jury Records is an American record label and production company founded in 2021 by Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (P.O.D., My Chemical Romance, Daughtry), and Canadian musician Neil Sanderson, drummer and co-founder of Multi-platinum Hard Rock band Three Days Grace, who have sold more than 10 million combined albums and singles worldwide. Based in Los Angeles, the company focuses primarily on rock and metal artists, and includes engineer Mike Plotnikoff (Papa Roach, KISS, Van Halen) and producer/mixer Joe Rickard (Starset, In Flames, Limp Bizkit) among its core collaborators.[1][2]
The partnership between Benson and Sanderson dates back to 2006, when Benson produced Three Days Grace's triple-platinum sophomore album One-X.[3], which would go on to become their most commercially successful album to date, featuring the hit singles "Animal I Have Become", "Pain", "Riot", and "Never Too Late". Benson later produced the band's follow-ups Life Starts Now, Outsider, Explosions, and Alienation.[4][5]
In an interview with Grammy.com, Benson stated that the idea for launching the label stemmed from his desire for greater creative and commercial control over projects he produced, citing frustration with traditional royalty structures and project outcomes.[6]
Benson and Sanderson first signed singer Diamante to a production deal and self-financed her record after she was dropped by her previous label; that collaboration's success ultimately led to the formation of Judge & Jury Records in 2021.[7]
Judge & Jury was launched by Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson to bridge the gap between traditional record production and the evolving needs of modern artists, operating as both a record label and production entity, emphasizing artist partnerships that integrate creative direction, marketing, and distribution strategies.[11]
Over time, Judge & Jury Records expanded into full-scale releases, worldwide distribution collaborations, and cross-platform media campaigns, while Benson and Sanderson built an in-house production and songwriting team, working with a range of prominent rock and metal acts. The label operates on a self-financed model that allows for a 50/50 royalty split with artists — a major departure from the lower royalty percentages typical of traditional producer agreements.[12]
The label has also earned recognition for its cross-generational approach, working with legacy acts while supporting new and emerging artists.[13][14]
Judge & Jury's success model has been highlighted by outlets such as Forbes and Billboard for adapting the traditional label system into a producer-driven framework that allows both creative and financial independence for artists and producers alike.[15]
Artists
Judge & Jury's roster includes a variety of active rock, alternative, and metal artists. The label is known for balancing veteran acts with rising talent.[16]
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