Your Choice Records

Last updated

Your Choice Records
Founded 1988
FounderTobby Holzinger
Distributor(s) Cargo Records (Germany)
Genre Punk rock  · Hardcore punk  · Post-hardcore  · Emo  · Indie rock  · Noise rock
Country of originGermany
Location Aachen
Official website yourchoicerecords.de
Scream - recording a live album (May 1990) Screamlive.jpg
Scream - recording a live album (May 1990)

Your Choice Records [1] was a German independent record label that was founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label [2] specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts. [3] Holzinger provided a share of the record sale profit to various animal rights organisations.

Contents

The label maintained a strict DIY ethic, producing all of its albums by itself and selling them at discount prices without the help of major distributors.

Your Choice Records existed in the early days of hardcore, inspired by the spirit of labels like Dischord Records, Alternative Tentacles, SST Records and Touch and Go Records. Early releases by Your Choice were relatively well-produced compared to other punk live recordings of the time.

Roster

Bands such as So Much Hate, Ripcord, Life... But How To Live It?, Verbal Assault, Arm, Target of Demand, Raped Teenagers, Pullermann, Kina, Scream, NoNoYesNo, Melvins, Neurosis, Steel Pole Bath Tub, Party Diktator, Wasteland, Helios Creed, The Notwist, Shudder to Think, Articles of Faith, Leatherface, Jawbox, Poison Idea, Hard-Ons, Lars Holzapfel, Wool, Samiam, Plexus, Headroom, Overdose, Girls Against Boys, Texas Is the Reason and The (International) Noise Conspiracy have released records on Your Choice.

Band / Year / Line-up

Pete Stahl (Scream) - recording a live album in Germany (1990) PeteS.jpg
Pete Stahl (Scream) - recording a live album in Germany (1990)
The (International) Noise Conspiracy in Vancouver (2005) The (International) Noise Conspiracy.jpg
The (International) Noise Conspiracy in Vancouver (2005)
Dennis Lyxzen (The (International) Noise Conspiracy) - recording a live album in Germany (2002) Dennis-lyxzen.jpg
Dennis Lyxzén (The (International) Noise Conspiracy) - recording a live album in Germany (2002)

Opinions

The Melvins' installment in the Your Choice Live series is decidedly on the sludgy side. Fans of the band's earlier output will rejoice at the track listing, which comprises tracks from Gluey Porch Treatments, Ozma, and Bullhead. Furthermore, the recording quality is excellent; perhaps not Fillmore East excellent, but for a punk club setting, this is primo.

Patrick Kennedy, on the Melvins and the Your Choice Live Series, allmusic [4]

Shudder to Think's live show has always been built on excitement and musical friction, and Your Choice Live Series captures the band at its tightest. This would prove to be original drummer Mike Russell's last recording with the band before leaving to become a teacher, but it doesn't stop the record from taking flight. Craig Wedren's voice is as clear and operatic as it is on their studio records.

Greg Prato, on Shudder to Think and the Your Choice Live Series, allmusic [5]

Their shows were clinics in intensity and band chemistry. They had one of the finest rhythm sections of their time in bassist Kim Coletta and drummer Zach Barocas (affectionately credited as "Lovey" in the sleeve -- don't be fooled), and guitarists J. Robbins and Bill Barbot always created an unholy racket in the vein of Gang of Four, Big Black, and Naked Raygun. One might pity those who never saw this mighty band in action, but this series offers a fine substitute.

Andy Kellman on Jawbox and the Your Choice Live Series, Zune.net [6]

See also

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