Alternative Records
Encyclopedia
Alternative Records was an independent record label
based in Eugene, Oregon
, United States
. The label started in 1989
, and has not released an album since 1998
.
Formed from its previous incarnation as a mail order record company starting in 1979
, Randy Layton started the label as an outlet for former Exit Records
artists Steve Scott
and The 77s
to release back catalogue and unreleased works. The label took on other artists over time, and after distribution deals with BMG
and Word Canada
ended, the company effectively shut down save for the occasional fan club releases.
The company was known for its many collector’s versions of its albums; as an example More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be by the 77s was first issued as a box set with a 7" single, a 3-track CD single, and a 4 track cassette as a numbered, signed edition of 1,000 before being reconfigured for CD with a different track listing.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
based in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The label started in 1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
, and has not released an album since 1998
1998 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
.
Formed from its previous incarnation as a mail order record company starting in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
, Randy Layton started the label as an outlet for former Exit Records
Exit Records
Exit Records was an independent record label founded in 1982 and run by Mary Neely, a veteran of the music business and longtime host for several national rock and roll radio shows, including Rock Scope...
artists Steve Scott
Steve Scott (poet)
Steve Scott is a poet, spoken word artist, and musician. His written work was published by PRIZM Magazine, Radix Magazine, Monolith:UK publications and STRIDE UK publications...
and The 77s
The 77s
The 77s are an American rock band consisting of Michael Roe on vocals/guitar, Mark Harmon on bass, and Bruce Spencer on drums.-Scratch Band:...
to release back catalogue and unreleased works. The label took on other artists over time, and after distribution deals with BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
and Word Canada
Word Records
Word Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
ended, the company effectively shut down save for the occasional fan club releases.
The company was known for its many collector’s versions of its albums; as an example More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be by the 77s was first issued as a box set with a 7" single, a 3-track CD single, and a 4 track cassette as a numbered, signed edition of 1,000 before being reconfigured for CD with a different track listing.
Artists
- 7&7iS (Inactive; side-project for members of The 77sThe 77sThe 77s are an American rock band consisting of Michael Roe on vocals/guitar, Mark Harmon on bass, and Bruce Spencer on drums.-Scratch Band:...
) - The 77sThe 77sThe 77s are an American rock band consisting of Michael Roe on vocals/guitar, Mark Harmon on bass, and Bruce Spencer on drums.-Scratch Band:...
(Active, with Fools of the WorldFools of the WorldFools of the World is an independent record label founded in 1996 by rock band, The 77s.Fools of the World, based out of Sacramento, California, started as an independent label for the band to release their own special projects and fan club releases...
/Lo-Fidelity RecordsLo-Fidelity RecordsLo-Fidelity Records is a record label founded in 2002 by Jeffrey K.. Based in Naperville, Illinois, Lo-Fidelity specializes in limited edition releases, special edition reissues, and DVDs for artists....
) - Daniel AmosDaniel AmosDaniel Amos is a rock band formed in 1974 by Terry Scott Taylor on guitars and vocals, Marty Dieckmeyer on bass guitar, Steve Baxter on guitars and Jerry Chamberlain on lead guitars. Current members include bassist Tim Chandler, guitarist Greg Flesch and drummer Ed McTaggart...
(Active, with Arena Rock Recording Co.Arena Rock Recording Co.The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
) - Eagle Park Slim (Active, with Appleseed RecordingsAppleseed RecordingsFounded in 1997 by activist attorney Jim Musselman, Appleseed Recordings is an idealistic, internationally distributed and independent music label devoted to releasing socially conscious contemporary and traditional folk and roots music by a wide array of established and lesser-known musicians...
- Gloryhouse (Status unknown)
- John Nau (Active as a session musician)
- Steve ScottSteve Scott (poet)Steve Scott is a poet, spoken word artist, and musician. His written work was published by PRIZM Magazine, Radix Magazine, Monolith:UK publications and STRIDE UK publications...
(Inactive) - The Scratch Band (Changed name to The 77s)
- Silver Express (Status unknown)
- Skeleton Closet (Status unknown)
- Two Pound Planet (Active, currently unsigned)
- Robert Vaughn (Inactive)
Discography
- Steve Scott - Lost Horizon (ES 4001) (1989)
- 7&7iS; The 77s - More Miserable Than You'll Ever Be (ES 4002) (1989 box set, 1990, 1992 reissues)
- Various Artists - The Summer Sampler (ES PR-4006) (1990)
- Steve Scott - Magnificent Obsession (ES 4007) (1991)
- Robert Vaughn & The Shadows - Songs From The Riverhouse (ES 4009) (1991)
- Two Pound Planet - Songs From The Hydrogen Jukebox (ES 4010) (1992)
- White Trash Supper Club (ES 4011) (1992)
- Various Artists - No Sense of History/Shirley, Goodness, & Misery (ES 4013 A/B) (1992, released with Stunt RecordsStunt RecordsStunt Records is an independent record label formed in 1990 by Daniel Amos, Terry Scott Taylor and Tom Gulotta.The original intent of the label was to focus on reissues and special releases by D.A., but soon, the label was releasing CDs by a variety of artists including two Various Artists...
) - Various Artists - Bootlevel (ES 4014) (LP version, 1992)
- Two Pound Planet - Whispering Delicious (ES 4015) (1993)
- Various Artists - Bootlevel (ES 4017) (1994, cd version; aka "Bootlevel 2")
- Robert Vaughn - Decayed (ES 4018) (1994)
- Skeleton Closet - Skeleton Closet (ES 4019;SW 9501) (1996)
- Lightweight - Lightweight (ES 4020) (1996)
- Eagle Park Slim - Northwest Blues (1998)