Thick Records

Thick Records is a Chicago-based independent record label which actively operated from 1994 to 2007. It now exists as a catalog only label for its previous releases.

Thick Records
Founded1994 (1994)
FounderZak Einstein
Status
  • Active
GenrePunk, ska-punk
Country of originUnited States
LocationChicago, Los Angeles
Official websitethickrecords.com

History

Thick was formed in 1994 by Detroit native Zak Einstein,[1][2] who started the label when he re-located to Chicago after graduating from Michigan State University.[3] Early releases include albums from Chicago ska-punkers The Blue Meanies, Alton, IL's Judge Nothing, Seattle's grunge rockers Truly[4] featuring Robert Roth, Mark Pikerel, and Soundgarden's Hiro Yamamoto, and the Omaha-based Commander Venus, whose members included Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, Matt Bowen and Todd Baechle. Blue Meanies singer Billy Spunke joined Einstein and signed multiple Chicago punk rock artists including The Tossers, The Arrivals, and The Methadones. The label also issued the Trenchmouth compilation 'More Motion' spanning the years 1987-1997 in 2003.[5]

Thick released picture disc vinyl including 7" records from Alkaline Trio, At The Drive-in, ALL, and Citizen Fish. The label also released several compilations documenting Chicago rock and punk music. The compilations included 2000's Magnetic Curses: A Chicago Punk Rock Compilation, which included music from Gaza Strippers, Alkaline Trio, and Pegboy.[6] In 2002, the label issued Love & Rebellion, a compilation of label acts including Trenchmouth, The Tossers, and Commander Venus.[7] Oil: Chicago Punk Refined, a 2003 release from the label, included tracks from nineteen Chicago-area punk acts, including Rise Against, The Lawrence Arms, The Tossers, Plain White T's, Bob Nanna, and Local H.[8][9] The tracks for the Oil compilation were recorded in an oil blending factory.[10]

The label hosted a summer barbecue/independent music event for several years, The Annual Chicago Rock Yards & Flea Market.[3]

In 2004 the label released a DVD collection of the "Out of Focus" fanzine, featuring acts including Green Day, Jawbreaker, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Down By Law, Sludgeworth, Born Against, Los Crudos and more.[11]

In 2004 Einstein moved the label to Los Angeles.[12] The last label releases came in 2007 with CDs from The Brokedowns and Seven Storey Mountain. Thick was distributed by the Symbiotic Label Group from 1994-1999, Southern Records 1999-2004, the Lumberjack Mordam Music Group 2005-2007, Nail Allegro Distribution and The Orchard 2007-present.[13] As of 2021, Thick operates as a catalog-only label.[14]

Bands

Other bands with Thick Records releases

References
  1. "An interview with Zak Einstein", Lollipop Magazine, April 1996
  2. Hiller, Joachim (November 1, 2004). "Interview - Thick Records". Ox (fanzine) (in German). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  3. Thomas, John D. (November 17, 2002). "Local Flavor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  4. Prato, Greg (April 1, 2009). Grunge is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. ECW Press. p. 444. ISBN 978-1550228779. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  5. Margasak, Peter (March 6, 2003). "There Goes the Bride/Postscripts". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  6. Jacks, Kelso (March 13, 2000). "Record News". CMJ New Music Report. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  7. Morris, Kurt. Love & Rebellion: A Thick Records Label Sampler at AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  8. James, Brian (April 15, 2003). "Various Artists: Oil: Chicago Punk Refined". Pop Matters. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  9. Miller, Louis; Levy, Doug (October 7, 2002). "This Week". CMJ New Music Report. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  10. Hick, Graham (July–August 2003). "Out Of The Studio: the Thick Oil comp and Metro Mobile Truck". Tape Op. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  11. Heisel, Scott (December 17, 2003). "THICK goes Out Of Focus". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  12. Mehr, Bob (July 15, 2004). "Rock 'n' Register; Thick Disperses; Miscellany". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. Martens, Todd (June 18, 2005). "Thickening Up". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  14. Heisel, Scott (October 17, 2013). "13 Classic Record Labels We Really, Really Miss". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  15. Paul, Aubin (January 9, 2007). "Thick Records signs The Brokedowns". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  16. "Thick Records". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  17. Heisel, Scott (September 6, 2002). "Various - THICK Records: Love & Rebellion (2002)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  18. Coozer, Adam (March 16, 2007). "Goldblade - Strictly Hardcore - Thick". ReadJunk.com. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  19. Mitchell, Daniel L. (March 1, 2004). "Goldblade - Strictly Hardcore - Thick". Ink19. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  20. Moffett Banks, Margaret (January 25, 2015). "Goldblade - Strictly Hardcore - Thick". News & Record. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  21. "Judge Nothing reviving pop punk after 13 years". Edwardsville Intelligencer. April 18, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  22. Mehr, Bob (September 22, 2005). "What it Takes to Be the New Black". Chicago Reader. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  23. Orange - Pill (1993) at Discogs
  24. Shultz, Brian (October 11, 2005). "Resident Genius / Howard Zinn - You Can't Blow Up a Social Relationship (2005)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  25. Steininger, Alex (February 2, 2021). "Season To Risk: Men Are Monkeys. Robots Win". In Music We Trust. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  26. Buttertooth (January 24, 2008). "Seven Storey Mountain: At the Poles: CD". Razorcake. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  27. August, Justin (September 20, 2006). "Thick signs Shanna Kiel (Sullen, Black Fur)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  28. "All – Ruby (1997)" at Discogs
  29. "Burning Airlines– The Deluxe War Baby (2000)" at Discogs
  30. "Citizen Fish– Revolution (2001)" at Discogs
  31. "Cows – The Missing Letter Is You (1997)" at Discogs
  32. "Servotron – The Inefficiency Of Humans (1998)" at Discogs
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