Gerard Cosloy
Encyclopedia
Gerard Cosloy is an American
music industry executive.
, a western suburb of Boston. While he was in high school, he became involved in the local hardcore punk scene, put together many punk shows, and started Conflict, a mimeographed fanzine
of underground and alternative rock and art. He continued to write and edit the fanzine during the '80s and early '90s.
He ran Homestead Records in the 1980s; DJ'd at WFMU
; played in the group Air Traffic Controllers; and later became part owner of Matador Records
, the New York independent label founded by Chris Lombardi.
In 1984 he was approached by the management of Dutch East India Trading Co., a Long Island-based record distributor, to manage an independent record label previously started by Sam Berger called Homestead. He moved to New York for the position. Homestead put out many of the mid-80s defining alt-rock records, from Big Black
, Sonic Youth
, Dinosaur Jr., My Dad Is Dead
, The Membranes
and many others. He continued to publish Conflict during this time.
It was via Conflict that Cosloy first heard the band Pavement
, after Scott Kannberg
sent the fanzine the band's first studio recording, Slay Tracks
. He did some DJing at WZBC
, Boston College's radio station, as well. He had a record label called Conflict Records, which issued two compilations called Bands that Could be God I and II. He also put out a few singles. Gerard also promoted shows in the Boston area, one of them being hardcore band Deep Wound
which evolved into Dinosaur Jr.
Matador Records became Cosloy's next label to work with. Matador Records was started in 1989 by Dutch East employee Chris Lombardi and Cosloy joined into the partnership in 1990.
For a time Cosloy lived in London working with Matador's UK and US operations. As of Autumn 2004, he has been living in Austin, Texas, continuing his partnership with Lombardi.
He has also started the experimental record label Parallelism and the label 12XU.
Cosloy is also a musician and is a member of Air Traffic Controllers as well as working with punk singer GG Allin
for a short period. From 1992-1996, he fronted the New York quartet Envelope, while briefly filling in as bassist
for the Dustdevils during Mark Ibold
's tenure in Pavement.
Cosloy has a daily mostly-sports blog called Can't Stop the Bleeding. http://cantstopthebleeding.com/
Cosloy's house was destroyed by fire on August 11, 2009. Cosloy, who worked out of his home, and another resident were awakened and evacuated around 3 a.m. by an officer of the Austin Police Department. Cosloy was quoted as saying, "There are a lot of people who have a lot less than I do who deal with a lot worse, but this is pretty bad."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
music industry executive.
Biography
Cosloy was raised in Wayland, MassachusettsWayland, Massachusetts
Wayland is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,994 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on Cochituate, which is part of Wayland, please see the article Cochituate, Massachusetts.-History:...
, a western suburb of Boston. While he was in high school, he became involved in the local hardcore punk scene, put together many punk shows, and started Conflict, a mimeographed fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
of underground and alternative rock and art. He continued to write and edit the fanzine during the '80s and early '90s.
He ran Homestead Records in the 1980s; DJ'd at WFMU
WFMU
WFMU is a listener-supported, independent community radio station headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, broadcasting at 91.1 MHz FM, presenting a freeform radio format...
; played in the group Air Traffic Controllers; and later became part owner of Matador Records
Matador Records
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
, the New York independent label founded by Chris Lombardi.
In 1984 he was approached by the management of Dutch East India Trading Co., a Long Island-based record distributor, to manage an independent record label previously started by Sam Berger called Homestead. He moved to New York for the position. Homestead put out many of the mid-80s defining alt-rock records, from Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, Dinosaur Jr., My Dad Is Dead
My Dad Is Dead
My Dad Is Dead, is a recording project of musician Mark Edwards. The project began in Cleveland, Ohio in 1985. My Dad Is Dead has released eleven full-length albums on labels such as St. Valentine's, Scat Records, Homestead Records and Emperor Jones....
, The Membranes
The Membranes
The Membranes were a post-punk band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1977, the initial line-up being John Robb , Mark Tilton , Martin Critchley and Martin Kelly . Critchley soon left, with Robb and Tilton taking on vocals, and Kelly moving to keyboards, with "Coofy Sid" taking over on drums...
and many others. He continued to publish Conflict during this time.
It was via Conflict that Cosloy first heard the band Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, after Scott Kannberg
Scott Kannberg
Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg is a musician best known for being a founding member of the indie-rock band Pavement.-Career:...
sent the fanzine the band's first studio recording, Slay Tracks
Slay Tracks (1933-1969)
Slay Tracks is the debut extended play by the American indie rock band Pavement. Pavement, then consisting of founding members Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg , recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young during a four hour session...
. He did some DJing at WZBC
WZBC
WZBC is a radio station broadcasting an Alternative format. Licensed to Newton, Massachusetts, United States, the station serves Boston and its western suburbs. The station is currently owned by Boston College....
, Boston College's radio station, as well. He had a record label called Conflict Records, which issued two compilations called Bands that Could be God I and II. He also put out a few singles. Gerard also promoted shows in the Boston area, one of them being hardcore band Deep Wound
Deep Wound
Deep Wound was a hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Westfield, MA. They released one self-titled 7" and contributed two songs to the compilation LP, Bands That Could Be God, both of which are sought after by fans and record collectors alike.-Overview:...
which evolved into Dinosaur Jr.
Matador Records became Cosloy's next label to work with. Matador Records was started in 1989 by Dutch East employee Chris Lombardi and Cosloy joined into the partnership in 1990.
For a time Cosloy lived in London working with Matador's UK and US operations. As of Autumn 2004, he has been living in Austin, Texas, continuing his partnership with Lombardi.
He has also started the experimental record label Parallelism and the label 12XU.
Cosloy is also a musician and is a member of Air Traffic Controllers as well as working with punk singer GG Allin
GG Allin
Kevin Michael "GG" Allin was an American punk rock singer-songwriter, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. GG Allin is perhaps best remembered for his notorious live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including coprophagia, self-mutilation, and...
for a short period. From 1992-1996, he fronted the New York quartet Envelope, while briefly filling in as bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for the Dustdevils during Mark Ibold
Mark Ibold
Mark Ibold is a New York-based bass guitarist, member of the indie band Pavement from 1992 to 1999, and again as of their 2010 reunion. He is also currently in the alternative rock band Sonic Youth....
's tenure in Pavement.
Cosloy has a daily mostly-sports blog called Can't Stop the Bleeding. http://cantstopthebleeding.com/
Cosloy's house was destroyed by fire on August 11, 2009. Cosloy, who worked out of his home, and another resident were awakened and evacuated around 3 a.m. by an officer of the Austin Police Department. Cosloy was quoted as saying, "There are a lot of people who have a lot less than I do who deal with a lot worse, but this is pretty bad."