Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally known for its commitment to underground punk rock bands and the Olympia area music scene.
The port city of Olympia, Washington, has been a center of post-hardcore, anti-folk, and other youth-oriented musical genres since the late 1970s. Before this period, Olympia's The Fleetwoods had several Billboard chart successes between 1959 and 1963. Olympia saw a rise in feminism in the music industry, where artists commonly addressed rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy, classism, anarchism, and female empowerment in their songs. It was a center for the riot grrrl movement of the early 1990s, which featured Bikini Kill and Bratmobile.
Unwound is an American post-hardcore band. Formed in 1988 in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington, the band currently consists of Justin Trosper, Jared Warren, Sara Lund (drums), and Scott Seckington (guitar).
Strictly Personal is the second album by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. It was originally released in October 1968 as the first album on the Blue Thumb Records label. It was released nearly a year after the band had taken to the studio to record the follow-up to 1967's Safe as Milk.
XBXRX is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Mobile, Alabama, United States. Their early sound was no wave-influenced, but became more improvised and deconstructed, moving away from using the synthesizers that typify new wave. They are a collective with a revolving cast of musicians, including Steve Touchstone, Weasel Walter, and Vice Cooler. In 2002, Wesley Willis wrote a song dedicated to the band. For many years the collective resided in Oakland, California, where they finished working on their last full-length record, Wars, which was released in April 2007. In 2008 they were working on a record of improv based pieces titled "Sound" and splits with Mika Miko and Japanther. As of 2010, they have regrouped, and relocated to Los Angeles releasing new music and playing shows around California with their new line up.
Fake Train is the debut studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on July 7, 1993 by Kill Rock Stars.
The Geraldine Fibbers were an alt-country band founded in 1994 by Carla Bozulich. Initially, band members included Bozulich, Daniel Keenan, Julie Fowells, William Tutton and Kevin Fitzgerald. While Bozulich had previously been known for noisy industrial music, The Geraldine Fibbers fused American roots music and blues-influenced punk.
"Shoots and Ladders" is a song written and recorded by the American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's third single in 1995.
John Goodmanson is an American recording engineer and indie rock record producer. He is best known for producing multiple albums by Bikini Kill, Blonde Redhead, Death Cab for Cutie, Los Campesinos!, and Sleater-Kinney.
Leaves Turn Inside You is the seventh and final studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 17, 2001 by Kill Rock Stars.
The Future of What is the third studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 24, 1995 by Kill Rock Stars. The album was recorded in December 1994 at John and Stu's in Seattle, Washington.
Repetition is the fifth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 9, 1996 by Kill Rock Stars. It was recorded in January 1996 at John and Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington and produced by Steve Fisk and John Goodmanson. The album has been hailed as a masterpiece among those in the punk rock scene.
New Plastic Ideas is the second studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on March 21, 1994 by Kill Rock Stars.
Challenge for a Civilized Society is the sixth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on January 13, 1998 by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by Steve Fisk and recorded from August 1, 1997, to August 15, 1997, at John and Stu's in Seattle, Washington. The album received positive reviews from critics.
Justin Trosper is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, born in Olympia, Washington. He fronted the post-hardcore band Unwound from 1991 to 2002 and again from 2022 to present day. He has also been a member of bands such as Replikants, The Young Ginns, and Worst Case Scenario. Most of his work has been released on the independent record label Kill Rock Stars.
Vernon Emmry Aldo Rumsey was an American musician. He is best known for his work as the bassist of the post-hardcore band Unwound, in which he was a co-founding member. He was also in the bands Long Hind Legs, Oslo, Fitz of Depression, and Witchypoo, and was playing in the band Flora v. Fauna.
Survival Knife was an American post-hardcore band, which formed in early 2011. They played their first show in March 2012. The band has played shows through the Pacific Northwest with such groups as METZ, Bitch Magnet, Mosquito Hawk, Wimps, Kinski, and Hungry Ghost. They completed a west coast tour in April 2013 supporting Modest Mouse. Two members of Survival Knife, Justin Trosper and Brandt Sandeno, were members of the post-hardcore band Unwound that broke up in 2002.
Lowercase was a band from Palm Desert, California, led by Imaad Wasif on vocals and guitar and Brian Girgus on drums. The band put out 2 full-length albums on the Minneapolis label Amphetamine Reptile before recording their last LP for Vern Rumsey of Unwound's label, Punk in my Vitamins. Tours with Sebadoh, Karp, Unwound, Hovercraft, Caustic Resin, The Lies, Faith No More, and Chokebore helped gain them a national as well as international following.
Household Gods was an American rock supergroup, featuring: David Pajo, Vern Rumsey (Unwound), Conan Neutron, and Lauren K Newman..
Kid Is Gone is a 3 LP box set compilation of early recordings by the band Unwound. It documents demos, singles, live recordings, and the material that made up their first-recorded album Unwound (1995). It was released September 17, 2013 by The Numero Group as part 1 of a 4-part reissue series.
