Dischord Records
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IanMacKayeandJeffNelson.jpg
Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based record label specializing in D.C.-area independent punk, hardcore, and post-hardcore music.
The company is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded the label in 1980 to release records by local hardcore punk bands. Bands such as Minor Threat, Embrace, Rites of Spring, Nation Of Ulysses, Gray Matter, Dag Nasty, and Fugazi have released records on Dischord. The label is most notable for having maintained a strict do-it-yourself ethic, producing all of its albums by itself and selling them at discount prices without the help of major distributors.
Dischord was a focal label in the early days of hardcore, and is one of the more famous independent labels, along with the likes of Alternative Tentacles. Early releases by Dischord were relatively well-produced compared to other punk and hardcore recordings of the time. Minor Threat's early work is an example of these higher production values.
Dischord Records was also a key in the formative years of emo and post-hardcore between 1985 and 1987. (For more details see Rites of Spring or Embrace.)
Recent bands to join Dischord include Q and Not U, Beauty Pill, and Black Eyes. Q and Not U and Black Eyes are both influential and experimental dance-punk/post-punk bands.
Artists
- Black Eyes (2001–2004)
- Dag Nasty (1985–1991)
- Embrace (1985–1986)
- The Evens (2001–)
- Faith (1980–1983) (Fronted by Alec MacKaye, brother of Ian MacKaye)
- Fire Party (1986–1990)
- Fugazi (1987–)
- Government Issue
- Jawbox (1989–1993) (first Dischord band to leave for major label in 1993)
- Lungfish (1988–)
- Make Up (1995–2000)
- Minor Threat (1980–1983)
- Nation of Ulysses (1988–1992)
- Rites of Spring (1984–1986)
- Shudder to Think (1986–1998)
See also
External links
- Dischord Records (http://www.dischord.com/)
- Dischord Records Profile by Southern Records (http://www.southern.com/southern/label/DIS/)