Fat Wreck Chords
Encyclopedia
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California
based independent record label
, focused on punk rock
. It was started by Fat Mike (lead singer and bassist of the punk rock band NOFX
) and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990.
They have released material for bands such as his own, NOFX
, Good Riddance
, Descendents
, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
, The Loved Ones
, Propagandhi
, Rise Against
, Lagwagon
, Strung Out
, No Use for a Name
, Less Than Jake
, Against Me!
and Anti-Flag
.
One somewhat uncommon and defining characteristic of Fat Wreck Chords is that they only sign one-record deals with bands. This allows the bands working with Fat Wreck Chords to have a choice as to if and when they want to put a record out on the label. In some cases, bands have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords but also on other labels. Many bands on this label participated in the campaign Punkvoter, which was started by Fat Mike and attempted to encourage the youth in the U.S. to vote in the 2004 U.S. presidential election for John Kerry
and against George W. Bush
.
The label has never been a member of the Recording Industry Association of America
as indicated on the frequently asked questions portion of the label's website:
However one of the many distributors carrying releases from Fat Wreck Chords is Sony Music Entertainment
subsidiary RED Distribution
, an RIAA member.
and Pink & Black. Honest Don's released records from Chixdiggit and Teen Idols
amongst others, while Pink & Black released albums from female-fronted bands like Fabulous Disaster
and Dance Hall Crashers
.
Fat Mike also advanced $50,000 to Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of Propagandhi
which he recouped within months from sales of Propagandhi records to help them start up their own label, G7 Welcoming Committee, though G7WC is independent from Fat Wreck.
Shortly after Fat Music Volume IV was released, Fat Wreck Chords released a similarly titled album, Short Music for Short People
, which features 101 songs, all averaging approximately 30 seconds. The shortest song ("Short Attention Span" by the Fizzy Bangers) is only eight seconds, and the longest ("Out of Hand" by Bad Religion
) is 40 seconds. Some of the songs were commissioned and recorded specifically for the album, while others were from the bands' pre-existing repertoires.
Since the last Fat Music album has been released, the Fat Wreck Chords compilations have been explicitly for charitable causes. Liberation: Songs to Benefit PETA
is a benefit album for the animal rights
organization PETA
, and PROTECT: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children
is a benefit album for the children's rights
group PROTECT
. Between Liberation and PROTECT, two other compilation albums were released in protest of President George W. Bush
and his administration: Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
and Vol. 2
.
To celebrate 20 years of business Fat Wreck Chords released the 3-disc Wrecktrospective compilation on December 8, 2009. Disc 1 is composed of the label's greatest hits, disc 2 is composed of unreleased demos and rarities, and disc 3 is composed the Fat Club 7" series in its entirety.
s recorded by Fat Wreck Chords. In order of release:
Although the Fat club series was limited to 1,300 copies for each single, the songs contained on the records were later released as the third disc of the Wrecktrospective
collection. The following 7" singles were released:
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
based independent record label
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:...
, focused on punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
. It was started by Fat Mike (lead singer and bassist of the punk rock band NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
) and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990.
They have released material for bands such as his own, NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
, Good Riddance
Good Riddance
Good Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
, Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
, The Loved Ones
The Loved Ones (American band)
The Loved Ones is a punk band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in late 2003, the band currently consists of Dave Hause , David Walsh , Chris Gonzalez , and Mike Sneeringer...
, Propagandhi
Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
, Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
, Lagwagon
Lagwagon
Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years...
, Strung Out
Strung Out
Strung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous...
, No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
, Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
, Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
and Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
.
One somewhat uncommon and defining characteristic of Fat Wreck Chords is that they only sign one-record deals with bands. This allows the bands working with Fat Wreck Chords to have a choice as to if and when they want to put a record out on the label. In some cases, bands have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords but also on other labels. Many bands on this label participated in the campaign Punkvoter, which was started by Fat Mike and attempted to encourage the youth in the U.S. to vote in the 2004 U.S. presidential election for John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
and against George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
The label has never been a member of the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
as indicated on the frequently asked questions portion of the label's website:
"Are we a member? Not only no, but FUCK NO! We spent three years having our label's name (which was misspelled) removed from their members list. A year went by, then our name showed up again on their fucking list! Who are these sonsabitches?! Needless to say, we're in the process of having our name removed again, but they aren't being too cooperative."
However one of the many distributors carrying releases from Fat Wreck Chords is Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
subsidiary RED Distribution
RED Distribution
RED - An Artist Development Company is a Sony Music Entertainment-owned sales and marketing division that handles releases for over sixty independent record labels....
, an RIAA member.
Imprints
The label has had two subsidiaries over the years, Honest Don'sHonest Don's Records
Honest Don's Records was a subsidiary label based in San Francisco, California, set up along with Pink & Black Records by Fat Wreck Chords to release material by bands that didn't fit within the roster at Fat....
and Pink & Black. Honest Don's released records from Chixdiggit and Teen Idols
Teen Idols
The Teen Idols were a pop punk band originally from Nashville, Tennessee. They were formed in 1992 by Phillip Hill and originally broke up in 2003...
amongst others, while Pink & Black released albums from female-fronted bands like Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster
Fabulous Disaster is the third album by Exodus. UK label Music for Nations released the album in 1988, but in the USA, it was released in January 1989 by Combat/Relativity Records....
and Dance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers is an American ska punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California.-Early years:The original incarnation of the Dance Hall Crashers was formed in 1989 by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong, formerly of the seminal Bay Area ska-punk band Operation Ivy, after both musicians...
.
Fat Mike also advanced $50,000 to Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of Propagandhi
Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
which he recouped within months from sales of Propagandhi records to help them start up their own label, G7 Welcoming Committee, though G7WC is independent from Fat Wreck.
Compilation albums
Fat Wreck Chords regularly releases compilation albums, often to promote bands signed to the label, but also, since 2003, to raise funds for various charities. The earliest Fat Wreck Chords compilations all have titles with some reference to fatness:- Fat Music Volume I: Fat Music for Fat People (1994)
- Fat Music Volume II: Survival of the Fattest (1996)
- Fat Music Volume III: Physical FatnessPhysical FatnessFat Music Volume 3: Physical Fatness was the third compilation album released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 1997.-Track listing:# "Olive Me" - NOFX - 2:08# "Stand" - Good Riddance - 2:33...
(1997) - Fat Music Volume IV: Life in the Fat LaneLife in the Fat LaneFat Music Volume 4: Life in the Fat Lane is the fourth compilation album by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, released in 1999.-Track listing:# "May 16" - Lagwagon# "Road Rash" - Mad Caddies# "Coming Too Close" - No Use for a Name...
(1999) - Fat Music Volume V: Live Fat, Die YoungLive Fat, Die YoungFat Music Volume 5: Live Fat, Die Young was the fifth compilation album in the "Fat Music" series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2001...
(2001) - Fat Music Volume VI: Uncontrollable FatulenceUncontrollable FatulenceFat Music Volume 6: Uncontrollable Fatulence was the sixth compilation album in the "Fat Music" series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2002...
(2002) - WrecktrospectiveWrecktrospectiveWrecktrospective is a three-disc compilation album released December 8, 2009 by Fat Wreck Chords. Subtitled "Twenty Years...and Counting!", it compiles tracks spanning the label's catalog from 1990 to 2009. The first disc, titled Fattest Hits, collects songs from 33 of the label's album releases...
(2009) - Fat Music Volume VII: Harder, Fatter + Louder! (2010)
Shortly after Fat Music Volume IV was released, Fat Wreck Chords released a similarly titled album, Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
, which features 101 songs, all averaging approximately 30 seconds. The shortest song ("Short Attention Span" by the Fizzy Bangers) is only eight seconds, and the longest ("Out of Hand" by Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
) is 40 seconds. Some of the songs were commissioned and recorded specifically for the album, while others were from the bands' pre-existing repertoires.
Since the last Fat Music album has been released, the Fat Wreck Chords compilations have been explicitly for charitable causes. Liberation: Songs to Benefit PETA
Liberation: Songs to Benefit PETA
Liberation: Songs to Benefit PETA is a compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label in 2003. As the title implies, it is a benefit album for the animal rights organization, PETA.-Track listing:# "Remedy" - Hot Water Music – 2:38...
is a benefit album for the animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
organization PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
, and PROTECT: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children
PROTECT: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children
Protect: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children is a charity record for the child protection organization, Protect.It was released by Fat Wreck Chords record label in 2005...
is a benefit album for the children's rights
Children's rights
Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to the young, including their right to association with both biological parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education,...
group PROTECT
PROTECT
Protect , or The National Association to Protect Children, is a political organization established in 2002 and dedicated to the protection of children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. It is a nonprofit, 501 membership association with members in every U.S. state and 10 nations...
. Between Liberation and PROTECT, two other compilation albums were released in protest of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and his administration: Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 is a Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs, both released and unreleased, by various punk rock artists and includes a bonus DVD with political facts, commentary regarding the U.S...
and Vol. 2
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 is the second Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs by various punk rock artists, some of which were previously unreleased. It also includes a bonus DVD with political facts, commentary...
.
To celebrate 20 years of business Fat Wreck Chords released the 3-disc Wrecktrospective compilation on December 8, 2009. Disc 1 is composed of the label's greatest hits, disc 2 is composed of unreleased demos and rarities, and disc 3 is composed the Fat Club 7" series in its entirety.
Live in a Dive
Live in a Dive is a series of live albumLive album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
s recorded by Fat Wreck Chords. In order of release:
| Title | Band | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live in a Dive: No Use for a Name Live in a Dive: No Use for a Name Live In A Dive is an album by No Use for a Name released by Fat Wreck Chords on September 11, 2001. The album is a part of Fat Wreck Chord's series of live albums which share the same name.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 0:49# "Invincible" – 2:06... |
No Use for a Name No Use for a Name No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers... |
September 11, 2001 |
| 2 | Live in a Dive (Bracket album) Live in a Dive (Bracket album) Live in a Dive is a live album by Californian punk rock band Bracket, released on Fat Wreck Chords as the second installment of the labels Live in a Dive series on February 26, 2002... |
Bracket Bracket (band) Bracket is an American punk rock band from Forestville, California, formed in 1992. The band has consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Marty Gregori, bassist Zack Charlos and drummer Ray Castro since its inception, with guitarist Angelo Celli replacing founding member Larry Tinney in 1999... |
February 26, 2002 |
| 3 | Live in a Dive (Sick of It All album) Live in a Dive (Sick of It All album) Live in a Dive is a recording of live material from the New York hardcore punk band, Sick of It All. It is part of a Fat Wreck Chords series of Live in a Dive albums, this one being released in August, 2002.-Track listing:... |
Sick of It All Sick of It All Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max... |
August 13, 2002 |
| 4 | Live in a Dive (Strung Out album) Live in a Dive (Strung Out album) Live In A Dive is the eighth album by punk band Strung Out, released by Fat Wreck Chords. The album was recorded in 2002 and released on June 3, 2003... |
Strung Out Strung Out Strung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous... |
June 22, 2003 |
| 5 | Live in a Dive (Subhumans album) | Subhumans (UK band) | February 10, 2004 |
| 6 | Live in a Dive (Swingin' Utters album) | Swingin' Utters | June 29, 2004 |
| 7 | Live in a Dive (Lagwagon album) Live in a Dive (Lagwagon album) "Live in a Dive" is a live album released in 2005 by Lagwagon. It is the seventh in the Fat Wreck Chords Live in a Dive series. It contains three previously unreleased songs, "Mister Bap", "The Chemist" and "Coconut"... |
Lagwagon Lagwagon Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years... |
February 8, 2005 |
Fat Club Series
In addition to the Live in a Dive series, Fat Wreck Chords also released the Fat Club series of 7" vinyl records during 2001. The series was only available to mail-order subscribers which received one single every month. Fat Wreck Chords did not publish any information on the upcoming releases so subscribers would not know what they were about to receive until the record arrived in the post.Although the Fat club series was limited to 1,300 copies for each single, the songs contained on the records were later released as the third disc of the Wrecktrospective
Wrecktrospective
Wrecktrospective is a three-disc compilation album released December 8, 2009 by Fat Wreck Chords. Subtitled "Twenty Years...and Counting!", it compiles tracks spanning the label's catalog from 1990 to 2009. The first disc, titled Fattest Hits, collects songs from 33 of the label's album releases...
collection. The following 7" singles were released:
| # | Band | Month released |
|---|---|---|
| FAT201 | The Real McKenzies | January 2001 |
| FAT202 | American Steel American Steel American Steel is an American punk rock band formed in 1995 in Oakland, California. When offered their first show, the group took their name from the block-long sign on the warehouse across the street... |
February 2001 |
| FAT203 | Strike Anywhere Strike Anywhere Strike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and... |
March 2001 |
| FAT204 | Randy Randy Randy is both a pet name, and a given name in the English language. It is both a masculine name and a feminine name. The masculine name was originally derived from the names Randall, Randolf, and also Andrew. The feminine name may have originated from the masculine Randy, or it may have originated... |
April 2001 |
| FAT205 | The Vandals The Vandals The Vandals are an American rock band established in 1980 in Huntington Beach, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour... |
May 2001 |
| FAT206 | Enemy You Enemy You Enemy You was a punk rock band from San Francisco, California that formed in 1997.-Biography:Prior to their formation, David Jones, the main songwriter in Enemy You, recorded several releases with his band After School Special on Mutant Pop Records. After AFS broke up, Enemy You was formed and... |
June 2001 |
| FAT207 | Swingin' Utters | July 2001 |
| FAT208 | MXPX MxPx MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles.... |
August 2001 |
| FAT209 | NOFX NOFX NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up... |
September 2001 |
| FAT210 | Strung Out Strung Out Strung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous... |
October 2001 |
| FAT211 | Lawrence Arms | November 2001 |
| FAT212 | One Man Army One Man Army One Man Army is an american punk rock band that was formed in San Francisco, California, in 1996 and separated in 2005 and reunited in 2011. The band was discovered by Billie Joe Armstrong while playing in an East Bay club, and their debut album Dead End Stories was the first release on Adeline... |
December 2001 |
Current bands
- American SteelAmerican SteelAmerican Steel is an American punk rock band formed in 1995 in Oakland, California. When offered their first show, the group took their name from the block-long sign on the warehouse across the street...
- Banner PilotBanner PilotBanner Pilot is a punk band from Minneapolis, Minnesota.Their music is heavily influenced by acts such as Jawbreaker, The Lawrence Arms, Screeching Weasel, and Hot Water Music.-History:...
- Bullet TreatmentBullet TreatmentBullet Treatment is a hardcore/punk band based out of Los Angeles, whose latest album was released on Fat Wreck Chords. Started by guitarist D.C., the band has featured over 30 members over its long history including Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Matt Caughthran of The Bronx, and Dave Hildago Jr....
- Chixdiggit!Chixdiggit!Chixdiggit is a punk rock band formed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The idea of the band was conceived by three high-school students in 1990 when they started making band t-shirts for the as of yet fictitious band. According to the band the name Chixdiggit is "the Heavy Metal way of writing 'Chicks...
- Cobra SkullsCobra SkullsCobra Skulls are a punk rock band from Reno, Nevada who are signed to Fat Wreck Chords.-History:Cobra Skulls were formed in Reno, NV in 2005 by Devin Peralta , Charlie Parker and Chad Cleveland . They released an EP titled Draw Muhammad in 2006...
- Dead to MeDead to Me (band)Dead to Me is a punk rock band from San Francisco, founded by vocalist/guitarist Jack Dalrymple, drummer Brandon Pollack and bassist/vocalist Chicken of Western Addiction...
- DescendentsDescendents (band)The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
- Dillinger FourDillinger FourDillinger Four is an American punk rock band formed in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have released four full-length studio albums. The current band members are Patrick Costello on bass guitar and vocals, Erik Funk and Bill Morrisette on guitars and vocals, and Lane Pederson on drums.- Studio...
- Ellwood
- The FlatlinersThe FlatlinersThe Flatliners are a punk rock/ska punk band from Richmond Hill and Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Since their formation in 2002, The Flatliners have been a growing influence in the Toronto punk/ska scene as well as other areas of the Greater Toronto Area. They are currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords...
- Frenzal RhombFrenzal RhombFrenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1992 with mainstay Jason Whalley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. In 1996, Lindsay McDougall joined the line-up on lead guitar and backing vocals. Two of the group's albums have peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart, A...
- LagwagonLagwagonLagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years...
- The Lawrence ArmsThe Lawrence ArmsThe Lawrence Arms are an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. They have released five full-length albums and toured extensively.-Pre-history:...
- Leftöver CrackLeftöver CrackLeftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
- The Loved OnesThe Loved Ones (American band)The Loved Ones is a punk band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in late 2003, the band currently consists of Dave Hause , David Walsh , Chris Gonzalez , and Mike Sneeringer...
- Mad CaddiesMad CaddiesThe Mad Caddies are a third wave ska band from Solvang, California. The band formed in 1995 and has released five full-length albums, one live album, and two EPs...
- Me First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
- NOFXNOFXNOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
- None More BlackNone More BlackNone More Black is a New Jersey-based melodic punk outfit on Fat Wreck Chords, formed by lead singer / guitarist Jason Shevchuk after the demise of his previous band, Philadelphia's Kid Dynamite...
- No Use for a NameNo Use for a NameNo Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
- Old Man MarkleyOld Man MarkleyOld Man Markley is a punk & bluegrass band based out of Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 2007, the band currently consists of John Carey , Annie DeTemple , Jeff Fuller , Joey Garibaldi , Ryan Markley , John Rosen , Katie Weed , and Alex Zablotsky...
- Only CrimeOnly CrimeOnly Crime is a melodic hardcore group formed by Good Riddance singer Russ Rankin and Bane guitarist Aaron Dalbecin 2003. The band plays melodic but hard-hitting punk rock that borrows heavily from early-1980s hardcore bands such as Black Flag.-History:...
- Paint It BlackPaint It Black (band)Paint It Black is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based modern hardcore punk band. Their music is often described as melodic hardcore, characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies and emotionally charged vocals delivered via shouting and singing...
- Pour HabitPour HabitPour Habit is a punk rock band from Long Beach, California, USA. Their first demo CD, "WTF!?" is long out of print. In 2007, the band released its breakthrough album, Suiticide. After signing to Fat Wreck Chords in 2009, the album was re-released on the label that same year...
- RandyRandy (band)Randy is a punk rock band from Hortlax, Sweden, formed in 1992. They were first inspired by skate punk bands like NOFX and Propagandhi but after the release of The Rest Is Silence and the depart of their bass player Patrik Trydvall, they radically changed their musical style and adopted an older...
- Real McKenziesReal McKenziesThe Real McKenzies is a North American Celtic punk band founded in 1992 and based in Vancouver, British Columbia.In addition to writing and performing original music, Real McKenzies perform traditional Scottish songs, giving them a new punk-influenced sound...
- Smoke or FireSmoke or FireSmoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand , Bill Ironfield , and Nick Maggiore , hailing from New Hampshire...
- Star Fucking HipstersStar Fucking HipstersStar Fucking Hipsters is a punk rock band from New York City who have released albums on Fat Wreck Chords and Alternative Tentacles records. They have been called a "punk supergroup" and feature members from numerous notable bands including Leftöver Crack, Ensign, and The Ergs!-Initial formation...
- Strung OutStrung OutStrung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous...
- Swingin' Utters
- Teenage BottlerocketTeenage BottlerocketTeenage Bottlerocket is a punk rock band formed in Laramie, Wyoming in 2001.The band was formed by twin brothers Ray and Brandon Carlisle, following the dissolution of their previous band, Homeless Wonders, in 2000...
- Tony SlyTony SlyAnthony J. Sly is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the frontman of seminal punk rock band No Use for a Name...
- Useless IDUseless IDUseless ID is a four-piece punk rock band, formed in Haifa, Israel in 1994. Known as one of the most successful Israeli punk bands worldwide.-History:...
- Western AddictionWestern AddictionWestern Addiction is a punk rock band based in San Francisco. The band was formed by four veterans of the punk scene. All four members work for Fat Wreck Chords.-Members:*Jason Hall - Vocals/Guitar*Ken Yamazaki - Guitar*Chicken Annicharico - Bass/Vocals...
Former bands
- 88 Fingers Louie88 Fingers Louie88 Fingers Louie is a band from Chicago, Illinois which was formed in 1993.They play a style of hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and punk rock. In 1993 they released their debut 7", Go Away. After disbanding in 1999, members Joe Principe and Dan Wleklinski went on to form the punk rock band Rise...
- Against Me!Against Me!Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
(active with Total Treble Music) - Anti-FlagAnti-FlagAnti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
(active with SideOneDummy RecordsSideOneDummy RecordsSideOneDummy Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label whose roster focuses mostly on punk and related genres. Founded in 1995 by Joe Sib and Bill Armstrong, who continue to run it today, the label has built a reputation for its diverse roster of artists ranging from third wave ska...
) - The AtarisThe AtarisThe Ataris are a rock band from Anderson, Indiana. They have released five studio albums, and their most recent E.P. was released on November 25, 2010 on the Gainesville, Florida based label, Paper + Plastick. It contained the brand new tracks "All Souls' Day" and "The Graveyard of The Atlantic"...
(active with Paper + PlastickPaper + PlastickPaper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
) - AvailAvailAvail is a punk band from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Northern Virginia, the band formed in 1987, its members including Joe Banks, Doug Crosby, Brian Stewart, and Mikey Warstler. The only original remaining member, guitar player Joe Banks, teamed up with rival band LDK's Tim Barry...
(disbanded) - Bad AstronautBad AstronautBad Astronaut is an American indie/punk rock band founded in 2000 by Joey Cape, singer from Lagwagon. In Bad Astronaut, Joey Cape explores a new style of pop, with lyrics often about deep and intricate personal matters....
(disbanded) - Big In Japan
- BracketBracket (band)Bracket is an American punk rock band from Forestville, California, formed in 1992. The band has consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Marty Gregori, bassist Zack Charlos and drummer Ray Castro since its inception, with guitarist Angelo Celli replacing founding member Larry Tinney in 1999...
(active with Takeover RecordsTakeover RecordsTakeover Records is a punk music record label based in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.The company was founded by former Yellowcard guitarist Ben Harper and his friend Greg McDonald in 1997.-Current:*Bracket*HeyMike!*Near Miss*River City High...
) - Citizen FishCitizen FishCitizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
(active with Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
) - Consumed (disbanded)
- The DickiesThe DickiesThe Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
(active with Dream Catcher Records) - Diesel Boy (disbanded)
- Epoxies (disbanded)
- Face to FaceFace to Face (punk band)Face to Face is an American pop punk band from Victorville, California formed in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith. Originally known as "Zero Tolerance", Keith had been the only constant member of the band during their years of touring and recording albums. The group was initially signed by Dr. Strange...
(active with Antagonist Records) - The Fight (active with Repossession Records)
- Goober Patrol
- Good RiddanceGood RiddanceGood Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
(disbanded) - Guns n' WankersGuns n' WankersGuns 'N' Wankers were a punk rock band, formed by ex-members of British punk band Snuff, and British rock band The Wildhearts in the early 1990s. The band consisted of Duncan Redmonds , Patrice Walters and Joolz Dean...
(disbanded)
- Hi-StandardHi-StandardHi-Standard is a Japanese punk rock band who formed in 1991. The release Making the Road sparked sold-out Japan shows and US/European tours with punk bands such as NOFX, No Use for a Name and WIZO. Although members of Hi-Standard were Japanese born, all of the band's major releases were sung in...
(disbanded) - Less Than JakeLess Than JakeLess Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
(active with Sleep It Off RecordsSleep It Off RecordsSleep It Off Records is a Gainesville, Florida-based independent record label, which was started by the band Less Than Jake in 2008. The label name was taken from a track on the band's 2004 B-sides album, B is for B-sides....
) - Love Equals DeathLove Equals DeathLove Equals Death was a punk rock band from Petaluma, California whose music drew influence from classic rock and horror punk.. The group formed in 2003 and released two EPs, one compilation album, and one studio album, 2006's Nightmerica...
(disbanded) - MxPxMxPxMxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
(active with Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
) - Nerf HerderNerf HerderNerf Herder is a punk rock band from Santa Barbara formed in 1994 by Parry Gripp , Charlie Dennis and Steve Sherlock . They describe themselves as a "geek rock" band, and are known for simplistic modern punk-style songs with frequently humorous, juvenile and pop-culture-referencing lyrics...
(active with Oglio RecordsOglio RecordsOglio Records is an American record company started in 1993 by Carl Caprioglio. They are well-known for issuing compilations of rare 1980's modern rock and New Wave songs, many of which were previously unreleased on CD...
) - PropagandhiPropagandhiPropagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
(active with Smallman RecordsSmallman RecordsSmallman Records is a Winnipeg based record label created in 1997 by Rob Krause and Jason Smith as an avenue for releasing albums from their own bands. Smallman started out as a side venture but soon became a full time pursuit. Smallman has signed many bands that have become staples of the...
) - RancidRancid (band)Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
(active with Hellcat RecordsHellcat RecordsHellcat Records is an independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. The label, an off-shoot of Epitaph Records, was started as a partnership between Brett Gurewitz carp Bad Religion, the owner of Epitaph, and Tim Armstrong of Rancid, the latter of whom is generally responsible for...
) - Rise AgainstRise AgainstRise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
(active with Interscope RecordsInterscope RecordsInterscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
) - The Sainte CatherinesThe Sainte CatherinesThe Sainte Catherines are a 6 piece punk-rock band who formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1999. The group's name comes from Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Montreal's main streets. Their third record, The Art of Arrogance was released on local label Dare to Care Records in 2003 and on the German...
(active with Anchorless Records) - Screeching WeaselScreeching WeaselScreeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
(active, Recess RecordsRecess RecordsRecess Records is an independent record label founded in 1989 with the release of F.Y.P's Extra Credit, an 11 song 7-inch record. Label founder Todd Congelliere originally created the label as a vehicle to release F.Y.P's material...
) - Screw 32Screw 32Screw 32 was a Berkeley/East Bay area US punk rock band.Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboarding measure on the ballots in Concord, California. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands...
(disbanded) - Sick of It AllSick of It AllSick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
(active with Century Media RecordsCentury Media RecordsCentury Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
) - SnuffSnuff (band)Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986. Their name reportedly came about after a long discussion about names ended up with one of them claiming "That's Enough", which was then shortened to Snuff...
(active) - The SoviettesThe SoviettesThe Soviettes are a punk rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 2001. The group was composed of Annie , Sturgeon , Susy , and Danny , all of whom switched off singing duties.-History:...
(disbanded) - Strike AnywhereStrike AnywhereStrike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and...
(active with Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
) - Subhumans (active with Bluurg Records)
- TiltTilt (band)Tilt was an American punk rock band from the East Bay, California, United States, formed in 1992. The group's debut studio album, Play Cell, was released through Lookout Records in 1993. They would soon after get signed to Fat Wreck Chords, which the rest of its albums were released through...
(disbanded) - WIZOWIZOWizo is a punk rock band from Sindelfingen, Germany. The band was formed in 1985. Their messages run from political to humorous, and they are strongly opposed to Nazism, fascism, racism, and "all of that crap"...
- Zero DownZero DownZero Down was a punk rock trio formed by former Strung Out bassist Jim Cherry, former Down by Law drummer Milo Todesco and former War Called Peace guitarist John McCree...
(disbanded)