Pirates Press Records

Last updated
Pirates Press Records
Founded 2005
FounderEric Mueller
Genre Punk Rock, Oi!, Street Punk, Hardcore, Ska, Reggae
Country of origin United States
Location Emeryville, California
Official website Official website of Pirates Press Records

Pirates Press Records is a punk rock record label founded in 2005. The label is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with its headquarters located in Emeryville, California. The label releases music representing a variety of punk rock subgenres, including Oi!, street punk, hardcore, ska-punk, and pop-punk, as well as related genres such as ska, reggae, and indie rock. Some of the best-known artists who have released music with the label include Rancid (as well as several members' individual side projects and other bands), Cock Sparrer, Subhumans, The Aggrolites, The Slackers, The Bar Stool Preachers, and more. Bands affiliated with the label regularly feature on lineups at major festivals such as BYO Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival in Las Vegas, NV, USA; Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, UK; and Riot Fest in Chicago, IL, USA. The label has also released several notable compilations, including the Oi! This is Streepunk! series, label sampler One Family One Flag (and its follow up For Family and Flag), and Oi! 40 Years Untamed, a 40th anniversary follow-up to Garry Bushell's Oi! compilation series. [1] The label also released Under One Flag, a year-long, weekly 7" record subscription.

Contents

The label is a sister company of Pirates Press, a manufacturing & production company that is responsible for pressing all of the label's releases, in addition to releases from many outside customers. Due to the close relationship with the pressing company, the label is known for featuring unique pressings featuring a variety of color configurations and packaging options. [2] The label's first release was a box set of 7-inch picture discs, and subsequent releases have included features such as hologram vinyl, glow-in-the-dark vinyl, UV digitally printed vinyl, custom shapes or text milled out of the vinyl, and a flexi disc released in a custom-labeled glass bottle designed to resemble a Molotov cocktail. [3]

History

Eric Mueller started Pirates Press Records in 2005. Mueller saw the label as an opportunity to have a direct hand in releasing music he and his employees were excited about, as well as to make special vinyl releases that showed off the capabilities of Pirates Press as a manufacturer. [2] [4]

Essentials Box Set Series

In 2010, after having worked with the band on the a handful of singles and the US release of their LP Here We Stand, Pirates Press Records released a Cock Sparrer box set which included many of the band's releases. Entitled Cock Sparrer Essentials, the package includes 6 studio albums, 4 full live albums, singles, picture discs and more. It also included sides of remixed, remastered, or otherwise previously unreleased 180gram heavyweight colored vinyl, a book, two posters, a limited edition metal lapel pin, screenprint and more. [5] In addition, the label released a live LP/DVD, Back In SF, recorded in 2009 at the Pirates Press fifth anniversary party at Great American Music Hall. [6] The label also released a second box set called Cock Sparrer Live Essentials, which exclusively featured live recordings.

In 2012, Rancid's first release with the label was a new song called "Fuck You" on the 2012 compilation Oi! This Is Streetpunk Vol. 2. [7] That same year, the label released the second artist's Essentials box set, Rancid Essentials, a 20-year anniversary box set which contains all of the band's releases to date on 46 7" vinyl records housed in a faux-leather box. A deluxe mailorder version was sold including a limited edition Rancid-branded baseball bat made by Louisville Slugger. Sets of 7"s representing each individual album were also released. [8] The label has continued working with Rancid as well as numerous projects by individual members. [9]

In 2015, the third artist's Essentials box set was released, featuring San Francisco's Reducers SF.

In 2018, the fourth artist's Essentials box set was released, featuring New Jersey's The Ratchets. The Ratchets had been one of the bands included in the 7" box set that was the label's first release, and their debut LP Glory Bound had been the label's first LP release. [10] [11]

In 2019, Pirates Press Records issued the new album Reggae Now! by The Aggrolites, as well as reissuing the band's debut LP, Dirty Reggae. The following year, The Aggrolites Essentials became the fifth artist's Essentials box set, including all of the band's studio LPs recorded to date in a window-box slipcase. In addition to the box set, each album was also newly pressed for individual sale, some appearing on vinyl for the first time. [12]

Rock the Ship Festivals

On October 25, 2014, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pirates Press and Pirates Press Records, the label hosted a day-long show outside of Thee Parkside in San Francisco, headlined by Cock Sparrer and The Bouncing Souls, as well as a pre-party show at Thee Parkside the previous night and an after-party the same evening at the Bottom of the Hill, under the banner "Rock the Ship." [4]

From October 17–20, 2019, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of both Pirates Press and Pirates Press Records, the label hosted a weekend-long Rock the Ship Festival featuring a large lineup of label artists and friends playing at venues in both Oakland & San Francisco. [13] The festival's main event was an all-day show onboard the flight deck of the USS Hornet, a retired World War II-era US Navy aircraft carrier docked in Alameda, headlined by Cock Sparrer and Subhumans. [14] The festival also raised money for music and art programs in Bay Area public schools via auction items donated by the label, artists, and other local businesses.

Pirates Press Records artists

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOFX</span> American punk rock band

NOFX is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Bassist/lead vocalist Fat Mike, rhythm guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin are original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on every release by the band, although Sandin departed briefly in 1985, only to rejoin the following year. El Hefe joined the band in 1991 to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the best-known iteration of the lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rancid (band)</span> American punk rock band

Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, former members of the band Operation Ivy, Rancid is often credited as being among the wave of bands that revived mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States during the mid-1990s. Over its 33-year career, Rancid has retained much of its original fan-base, most of which was connected to its underground musical roots.

<i>...And Out Come the Wolves</i> 1995 studio album by Rancid

...And Out Come the Wolves is the third studio album by American punk rock band Rancid. It was released on August 22, 1995, through Epitaph Records. Rancid's popularity and catchy songs made them the subject of a major label bidding war that ended with the band staying on Epitaph. With a sound heavily influenced by ska, which called to mind Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman's past in Operation Ivy, Rancid became one of the few bands of the mid-to late-1990s boom in punk rock to retain much of its original fanbase. In terms of record sales and certifications, ...And Out Come the Wolves is a popular album in the United States. It produced three hit singles: "Roots Radicals", "Time Bomb" and "Ruby Soho", that earned Rancid its heaviest airplay on MTV and radio stations to date. All the singles charted on Modern Rock Tracks. ...And Out Come the Wolves was certified gold by the RIAA on January 22, 1996. It was certified platinum on September 23, 2004.

<i>Rancid</i> (2000 album) 2000 studio album by Rancid

Rancid is the fifth studio album by the American punk rock band Rancid, released on August 1, 2000. It is the second eponymous album and the first to be released through frontman Tim Armstrong's label, Hellcat Records. It also features the return of producer Brett Gurewitz, who has produced every subsequent album by the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subhumans (British band)</span> British anarcho-punk band

Subhumans are an English punk rock band formed in the Warminster and Melksham areas of Wiltshire in 1980. Singer Dick Lucas had formerly been in another local band, the Mental, and other members had been in The Stupid Humans. The band's musical style is typically classified as hardcore punk or anarcho-punk.

Taang! Records is an independent record label with a roster of hardcore punk, punk rock, Oi!, power pop, ska, indie rock, psychedelic, and ambient artists and bands founded by Curtis Casella in Boston, Massachusetts in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Armstrong</span> American musician

Timothy Ross Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Known for his distinctive voice, he is the singer/guitarist for the punk rock band Rancid and hip hop/punk rock supergroup Transplants. Prior to forming Rancid, Armstrong was in the ska punk band Operation Ivy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lars Frederiksen</span> American punk rock musician

Lars Erik Frederiksen is an American musician and record producer best known as a guitarist and vocalist for the punk rock band Rancid, as well as the frontman of Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards and the Old Firm Casuals. In addition, he currently plays guitar in Oxley's Midnight Runners, Stomper 98, and The Last Resort. He was also briefly a member of the UK Subs in 1991.

<i>Punks Not Dead</i> (2007 film) 2007 documentary film

Punk's Not Dead is a 2007 documentary film directed by Susan Dynner, an American hardcore punk fan. The filmmakers claims to infiltrate American clubs, malls, recording studios, etc. where they set out to claim hardcore punk and pop punk music is "thriving" from an American perspective. Its content features performances largely from 1980s hardcore bands and MTV skate punk and pop punk/rock acts. It also includes various interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with the bands, labels and fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cock Sparrer</span> British punk rock band

Cock Sparrer is an English punk rock band formed in 1972 in the East End of London. Although they have never enjoyed commercial success, they helped pave the way for the early '80s punk scene and the Oi! subgenre. Their songs have been covered by many punk, Oi!, and hardcore punk bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Business (band)</span> English punk band

The Business were an English punk band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London, England. The band lasted for four decades until their frontman Micky Fitz died from cancer in December 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackout Records</span>

Blackout! Records is an independent record label which specializes in hardcore punk.

Oi! is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads, and other disaffected working-class youth. The movement was partly a response to the perception that many participants in the early punk rock scene were, in the words of The Business guitarist Steve Kent, "trendy university people using long words, trying to be artistic... and losing touch."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 4-Skins</span> English working-class Oi! band

The 4-Skins are a punk rock band from the East End of London, England. Originally composed of Gary Hodges (vocals), 'Hoxton' Tom McCourt (guitar), Steve 'H' Hamer (bass) and John Jacobs (drums), the group was formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1984 – although new line-ups formed in 2007 and 2008. Many of their songs dealt with violent topics, but the band has claimed they were discussing the realities of inner city life, not promoting violence. Other 4-Skins song topics include police harassment, political corruption, war and unemployment.

<i>Here We Stand</i> (Cock Sparrer album) 2007 studio album by Cock Sparrer

Here We Stand, released in November 2007, is the 6th studio album by English punk rock band Cock Sparrer. Recorded by former Vibrators bassist, Pat Collier, and mixed by Rancid's Lars Frederiksen and Michael Rosen, the album is the band's first new material for ten years. In addition to the 14-track CD version, the album was also released on vinyl as a picture disc. The tracks "Will You?" and "So Many Things" were omitted to improve the overall sound quality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rancid discography</span>

The discography of Rancid, an American punk rock band, includes ten studio albums, two extended plays, two compilations, twenty-seven singles and thirty-seven music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Direktori</span>

Direktori is a Serbian oi! punk/ska group from Belgrade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Forgotten (band)</span> American punk rock band

The Forgotten is an American punk rock band based in San Jose, California. The Forgotten have toured the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan numerous times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oi! the Boat Records</span>

Oi! the Boat Records is an independent record label based in Lafayette, Indiana. The label was started as a digital distribution only record label to release Yakimick's former bands' early recordings. It has since evolved into an internationally recognized independent label with a back catalog of vinyl and digital releases from both established and relatively unknown acts from half a dozen countries worldwide.

Runnin' Riot are a punk rock band from Belfast, noted for their streetpunk, Oi! sound. The band's name was inspired by Cock Sparrer's first single release. Original vocalist Colin McQuillan died in August 2014 when the band were on tour with Lars Frederiksen's Old Firm Casuals.

References

  1. ↑ "Oi to the World: Pirates Press Records Releases Compilations in Time for the Holidays • Bad Copy". Bad Copy. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  2. 1 2 "Interview: Pirates Press Owner Eric "Skippy" Mueller on Running a Successful Company Their Own Way". www.noecho.net. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  3. ↑ "Vinyl Spins On: Pirates Press Celebrates 9th Anniversary in The Digital Age".
  4. 1 2 Pappalardo, Anthony (2019-10-01). "Pirates Press founder celebrates 15 years of pressing records". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  5. ↑ "Cock Sparrer "If punk rock was ever needed, it's needed now."".
  6. ↑ "Cock Sparrer adds East Coast dates (though no NYC so far)".
  7. ↑ "Hear Rancid's Salty New Single, 'Fuck You'".
  8. ↑ "Rancid announce career-spanning 7" box set". 12 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "Tim Armstrong to release 'Tim Timebomb' 7-inch series". 20 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "The Ratchets Essentials Box Set Out November 9th". New Noise Magazine. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  11. ↑ "The Ratchets To Release "Essentials" Box Set! • WithGuitars". WithGuitars. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  12. ↑ "Aggrolites albums to get the vinyl reissue treatment from Pirates Press |". 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  13. ↑ "Pirates Press Records Celebrates with Rock the Ship Festival". New Noise Magazine. 2019-08-19. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  14. ↑ "Rock the Ship Music Festival". USS Hornet Museum. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.