Taang! Records
Encyclopedia
Taang! Records is an American independent record label
founded by Curtis Casella in Boston, Massachusetts which is currently based in San Diego. Taang! specializes mainly in releases by punk rock
, indie rock
, ska
and ska-core
artists.
Casella appears in the 2006 documentary American Hardcore
, the film Chip on My Shoulder (directed by Ian McFarland), and All That Matters Is Sunday: the Birth of Boston's Hardcore (directed by Lewis Smithingham). Casella is portrayed by an actor in the film Boston Boy.
Curtis Casella (a native Bostonian) started Taang! Records as a singles-only label in 1984 and signed Boston-area punk rock
and hardcore punk
bands such as Gang Green
, Last Rights
, Negative FX
, Stranglehold, Last Stand and Kilslug. The label's first full-length release was Negative FX's self-titled album, which was recorded in 1982. Taang! also ran a store in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts (the first of six retail outlets). The current store is in Hillcrest/Downtown, San Diego, California on 5th Ave.
In 1986, Taang! released five vinyl titles: Burning in Water by Moving Targets, Back on the Map by Slapshot, Another Wasted Night by Gang Green, the 7-inch Mine Caroline by The Oysters, and a bonus 7-inch by The Lemonheads. Gang Green's Another Wasted Night spawned three videos which received MTV play, and their non-stop tour propelled their release to upwards of 30,000 units. The label achieved wide airplay on college radio stations with releases from The Lemonheads and Bullet LaVolta. Taang! went on to sign more diverse acts, such as Poison Idea
, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
, Swirlies
and Spacemen 3
.
In 1992, Casella decided to produce San Diego-based band Battalion of Saints
for an archival release, not realizing the band leader's plans to reform the band. By this time, Casella was dividing his time between Los Angeles and Boston. The label operated out of Boston for two more years before Casella moved its headquarters to San Diego. A Taang! store opened in Hollywood. Shortly after moving to San Diego, Taang! released two albums by local ska band Buck-O-Nine
and put them on tour with Stiff Little Fingers
. In the mid to late 1990s, there were no new signings, and the label focused on archival releases by bands such as Cock Sparrer
, The Adicts
, The Business
and The Exploited
, for a total of 15 releases over five years.
While operating out of California, the label continued its focus on Boston-based bands. Bands such as Gang Green
, Slapshot
and Poison Idea, who previously left Taang! for other labels, had returned. In 2007, the label started to sign more new bands, including Everybody Out!
(featuring Rick Barton of Dropkick Murphys
) and Southern California's Evacuate (led by Mike Virus of Cheap Sex and The Virus), who released their debut in 2009. In 2010, Taang! released albums by The Newtown Neurotics
, Kilsug, The Oysters, Gang Green, D.Y.S.
and Attitude Adjustment. The label plans to release was Chip On My Shoulder, a DVD from Slapshot, to coincide with the band's new single 2011. The most recent addition to the label is Negative Approach: The 200th release is titled "friends of No One" (a lost six-song recording from 1984 that was discovered in 2009 in a basement in Detroit). The next release will be Nothing Will Stand In Our Way, a full album by the band that focuses on their earliest recordings.
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:...
founded by Curtis Casella in Boston, Massachusetts which is currently based in San Diego. Taang! specializes mainly in releases by 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...
, indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
and ska-core
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
artists.
Casella appears in the 2006 documentary American Hardcore
American Hardcore (film)
American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis...
, the film Chip on My Shoulder (directed by Ian McFarland), and All That Matters Is Sunday: the Birth of Boston's Hardcore (directed by Lewis Smithingham). Casella is portrayed by an actor in the film Boston Boy.
History
Taang! Records is a record label that stretches over 25 years with over 210 releases, from vinyl to DVD, the label's large roster is internationally distributed and has over 100 releases in circulation and 200 releases available digitally. Taang! also incorporates retail outlets direct as well as merchandise, publishing and film.Curtis Casella (a native Bostonian) started Taang! Records as a singles-only label in 1984 and signed Boston-area 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...
and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands such as Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
, Last Rights
Last Rights
-Personnel:*Nivek Ogre - vocals*cEvin Key - synthesizer, drums, percussion, guitar, bass, production*Dwayne Goettel - keyboards, synthesizer, guitar*Dave Ogilvie *Ken Marshall *Anthony Valcic...
, Negative FX
Negative FX
Negative FX was a hardcore straight edge band from Boston formed in 1981. Though the band lasted only a short time, playing only a total of five shows , the band was well-known for their involvement in the local straight edge scene of the early '80s...
, Stranglehold, Last Stand and Kilslug. The label's first full-length release was Negative FX's self-titled album, which was recorded in 1982. Taang! also ran a store in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts (the first of six retail outlets). The current store is in Hillcrest/Downtown, San Diego, California on 5th Ave.
In 1986, Taang! released five vinyl titles: Burning in Water by Moving Targets, Back on the Map by Slapshot, Another Wasted Night by Gang Green, the 7-inch Mine Caroline by The Oysters, and a bonus 7-inch by The Lemonheads. Gang Green's Another Wasted Night spawned three videos which received MTV play, and their non-stop tour propelled their release to upwards of 30,000 units. The label achieved wide airplay on college radio stations with releases from The Lemonheads and Bullet LaVolta. Taang! went on to sign more diverse acts, such as Poison Idea
Poison Idea
Poison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are an American ska punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1983. Since the band's inception, lead vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, tenor saxophonist Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton and dancer Ben Carr have remained constant members...
, Swirlies
Swirlies
Swirlies is an shoegaze band from Boston that formed in 1990. They have often been compared to My Bloody Valentine.-Formation and early career:...
and Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3
Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Peter Kember and Jason Pierce. Their music was "colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the '60s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia"...
.
In 1992, Casella decided to produce San Diego-based band Battalion of Saints
Battalion of Saints
Battalion of Saints is a hardcore punk rock band from San Diego, California that was founded in 1980. They went through numerous lineups until breaking up in 1985. Singer George Anthony reformed the band in 1995 with Terry "Tezz" Roberts Battalion of Saints is a hardcore punk rock band from San...
for an archival release, not realizing the band leader's plans to reform the band. By this time, Casella was dividing his time between Los Angeles and Boston. The label operated out of Boston for two more years before Casella moved its headquarters to San Diego. A Taang! store opened in Hollywood. Shortly after moving to San Diego, Taang! released two albums by local ska band Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine
Buck-O-Nine is an American ska punk band which was formed in San Diego in 1991. The band has toured internationally and released several albums and e.p.'s, as well as appearing on compilations and film soundtracks. During the mid-to-late 1990s, they experienced mainstream success with the release...
and put them on tour with Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers are a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977, at the height of the Troubles. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star , doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. They split up after six years and four albums, although they...
. In the mid to late 1990s, there were no new signings, and the label focused on archival releases by bands such as Cock Sparrer
Cock Sparrer
Cock Sparrer are a punk rock band formed in 1972 in the East End of London, England. Although they never enjoyed much commercial success, they are considered one of the most influential streetpunk bands, helping pave the way for the late-1970s punk scene and the Oi! subgenre...
, The Adicts
The Adicts
The Adicts are an English punk band from Ipswich, Suffolk, England. One of the more popular punk rock bands in the 1980s, they were often in the indie charts at that time. Their song "Viva La Revolution" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground. It was also featured in a commercial...
, The Business
The Business (band)
The Business are an English Oi!/punk rock band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London. Their album Suburban Rebels became influential in the Oi! movement...
and The Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
, for a total of 15 releases over five years.
While operating out of California, the label continued its focus on Boston-based bands. Bands such as Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
, Slapshot
Slapshot (band)
-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
and Poison Idea, who previously left Taang! for other labels, had returned. In 2007, the label started to sign more new bands, including Everybody Out!
Everybody Out!
Everybody Out! is a rock band formed in 2007 by former Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton and former The Dead Pets and Lost City Angels frontman Sweeney Todd. Despite Sweeney Todd being from the UK, the band is primarily based out of Boston, Massachusetts. The duo personally financed the...
(featuring Rick Barton of Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
) and Southern California's Evacuate (led by Mike Virus of Cheap Sex and The Virus), who released their debut in 2009. In 2010, Taang! released albums by The Newtown Neurotics
The Newtown Neurotics
The Newtown Neurotics were an English punk rock/post-punk group formed in 1979. They were noted for their openly political music.-History:...
, Kilsug, The Oysters, Gang Green, D.Y.S.
DYS (band)
DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
and Attitude Adjustment. The label plans to release was Chip On My Shoulder, a DVD from Slapshot, to coincide with the band's new single 2011. The most recent addition to the label is Negative Approach: The 200th release is titled "friends of No One" (a lost six-song recording from 1984 that was discovered in 2009 in a basement in Detroit). The next release will be Nothing Will Stand In Our Way, a full album by the band that focuses on their earliest recordings.
Artists
- The AdictsThe AdictsThe Adicts are an English punk band from Ipswich, Suffolk, England. One of the more popular punk rock bands in the 1980s, they were often in the indie charts at that time. Their song "Viva La Revolution" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Underground. It was also featured in a commercial...
- Anti-HerosAnti-HerosAnti-Heros were an American Oi!/street punk band formed in 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. They took a hiatus from 1989–1993, but continued to record and play concerts through the early 2000s. Anti-Heros are one of the first and most popular American Oi! bands. The original lineup...
- Attitude Adjustment
- Battalion of SaintsBattalion of SaintsBattalion of Saints is a hardcore punk rock band from San Diego, California that was founded in 1980. They went through numerous lineups until breaking up in 1985. Singer George Anthony reformed the band in 1995 with Terry "Tezz" Roberts Battalion of Saints is a hardcore punk rock band from San...
- The BoysThe Boys (UK Band)The Boys are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976.Members of the band had previously played in other groups, such as London SS and Hollywood Brats. After recording four studio albums and eight singles, as well as recording Christmas themed music under the name The Yobs, they disbanded...
- The BruisersThe BruisersThe Bruisers were pioneers of the American streetpunk/oi! movement, formed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1988. The original lineup included: Al Barr , Scotty Davies , Jeff Morris and Rodger Shosa...
- Buck-O-NineBuck-O-NineBuck-O-Nine is an American ska punk band which was formed in San Diego in 1991. The band has toured internationally and released several albums and e.p.'s, as well as appearing on compilations and film soundtracks. During the mid-to-late 1990s, they experienced mainstream success with the release...
- Bullet LaVoltaBullet lavoltaBullet LaVolta was a post-punk band from Boston, Massachusetts that was originally formed in January 1987 by four college disk jockeys: Clay Tarver , Bill Whelan , Corey "Loog" Brennan and Chris "Cruster" Guttmacher . The band later added singer Yukkie Gipe after he responded to an advertisement...
- The BusinessThe Business (band)The Business are an English Oi!/punk rock band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London. Their album Suburban Rebels became influential in the Oi! movement...
- Brandon CruzBrandon CruzBrandon Edwin Cruz is an American former child actor and currently a punk rock musician, and also works in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. In the late 1960s, the freckled-faced Cruz came to prominence by playing Tom Corbett's charming and conniving son, Eddie Corbett, in the comedy-drama The...
- Ken Chambers
- Cock SparrerCock SparrerCock Sparrer are a punk rock band formed in 1972 in the East End of London, England. Although they never enjoyed much commercial success, they are considered one of the most influential streetpunk bands, helping pave the way for the late-1970s punk scene and the Oi! subgenre...
- D.Y.S.DYS (band)DYS is an American straight edge hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts who were part of the notorious "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX...
- 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...
- Dicky B Hardy
- Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
- Evacuate
- Everybody Out!Everybody Out!Everybody Out! is a rock band formed in 2007 by former Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton and former The Dead Pets and Lost City Angels frontman Sweeney Todd. Despite Sweeney Todd being from the UK, the band is primarily based out of Boston, Massachusetts. The duo personally financed the...
- The ExploitedThe ExploitedThe Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
- Eye For An Eye
- The F.U.'sThe F.U.'sThe F.U.'s were an early-mid 1980s Boston hardcore punk band, who later changed their name to Straw Dogs, moving toward heavy metal and reformed under their original moniker in 2010.-History:...
- Forced Reality
- The FreezeThe FreezeThe Freeze are a hardcore punk rock band from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Freeze formed in late 1978. At the time all members were in high school. The Freeze are generally considered to be a Boston hardcore band, but they never truly fit into the typical Boston mold. Like most hardcore groups, the...
- The 4-SkinsThe 4-SkinsThe 4-Skins are a working class Oi! punk rock band from the East End of London, England. Originally composed of Gary Hodges , 'Hoxton' Tom McCourt , Steve 'H' Hamer and Gary Hitchcock , they formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1984 – although new line-ups formed in 2007 and 2008...
- Gang GreenGang GreenGang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
- Hard-OnsHard-OnsThe Hard-Ons are a punk rock band from Sydney, Australia that originally formed in 1981. They have been called Australia's most commercially successful independent band, with over 250,000 total record sales. -1980s: Early days:...
- Jerry's KidsJerry's KidsJerry's Kids is one of the earliest Boston hardcore bands, formed in 1981, from Braintree, Mass.. Their first recorded output was on the Modern Method This Is Boston, Not L.A. compilation LP in 1982. They contributed six tracks along with other early Boston Hardcore band Gang Green.Frontman Bryan...
- Kilslug
- Last Resort
- Last Rights
- Last Stand
- The LemonheadsThe LemonheadsThe Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band first formed in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member....
- Keith LeveneKeith LeveneKeith Levene is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was an early member of The Clash, but is best known as being a founding member of Public Image Limited, along with John Lydon....
- LyresLyres (band)Lyres are a Boston-area garage rock band led by Jeff "Monoman" Conolly. Lyres were founded in 1979 following the breakup of DMZ. Their most popular songs included "Don't Give It Up Now," "What A Girl Can't Do" and "Help You Ann"...
- Maelstrom
- Menace
- The Mighty Mighty BosstonesThe Mighty Mighty BosstonesThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones are an American ska punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1983. Since the band's inception, lead vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, tenor saxophonist Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton and dancer Ben Carr have remained constant members...
- Mission of BurmaMission of BurmaMission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller , Clint Conley , Peter Prescott and Martin Swope...
- Moving Targets
- Negative ApproachNegative ApproachNegative Approach is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1981. The band is considered among of the pioneers of hardcore punk, particularly in the Midwest region. Like most hardcore bands, Negative Approach was little known in its day outside of its hometown...
- Negative FXNegative FXNegative FX was a hardcore straight edge band from Boston formed in 1981. Though the band lasted only a short time, playing only a total of five shows , the band was well-known for their involvement in the local straight edge scene of the early '80s...
- The Newtown NeuroticsThe Newtown NeuroticsThe Newtown Neurotics were an English punk rock/post-punk group formed in 1979. They were noted for their openly political music.-History:...
- Oysters
- Part Time Christians
- Poison IdeaPoison IdeaPoison Idea was an American hardcore punk band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1980. The band originally dissolved in 1993, but has been playing intermittently since 1998.-Formation, 1980's and 90's:...
- The ProletariatThe ProletariatThe Proletariat was a punk band from Fall River, Massachusetts. They were active during the 1980s in the Boston Hardcore scene, despite their recorded output having a decidedly non-hardcore sound; The Proletariat show more strongly the musical influences of bands such as Wire, and Gang of Four in...
- Rat City Riot
- Reverberation
- The RutsThe RutsThe Ruts were a reggae-influenced British punk rock band, notable for the 1979 Top 10 hit "Babylon's Burning", and an earlier single "In a Rut", which was not a hit but was much played and highly regarded by the UK BBC Radio 1 disc jockey, John Peel.-Career:...
- Sam Black ChurchSam Black Church (band)Sam Black Church was a Boston hardcore band that played from 1988 - 2000. It was named after the West Virginia community of Sam Black Church.- History :Sam Black Church were known for their energetic live performances...
- Seka
- SlapshotSlapshot (band)-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
- Slaughter & The DogsSlaughter & The DogsSlaughter & The Dogs is an English punk rock band that formed in the late 1970s in Manchester, England. They were one of the first UK punk bands to sign for a major label, Decca Records.-Career:...
- Sloppy SecondsSloppy SecondsSloppy Seconds is a Ramones-influenced punk band from Indianapolis, Indiana that started in the mid-1980s. They gained notoriety in the underground "punk" scene with songs like "Come Back, Traci" , "I Don't Want to be a Homosexual", "Jani is a Nazi", "I Want 'em Dead" and "So Fucked up".The bands...
- Spacemen 3Spacemen 3Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Peter Kember and Jason Pierce. Their music was "colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the '60s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia"...
- SporeSpore (band)Spore was a noise rock band from Boston, Massachusetts formed in the wake of the early 1990s grunge movement. Spore were signed in 1993 on the Taang! Records label, the same label which initially signed The Lemonheads, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Mission of Burma, with whom the band released a...
- SSDSSD (band)SSD were a straight edge hardcore band from Boston. They released two records as SS Decontrol and then formally changed their name to SSD. As SSD they released two more records, these with a very heavy metal influenced sound...
- Stars & StripesSlapshot (band)-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
- Stiff Little FingersStiff Little FingersStiff Little Fingers are a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977, at the height of the Troubles. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star , doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. They split up after six years and four albums, although they...
- Stranglehold
- SwirliesSwirliesSwirlies is an shoegaze band from Boston that formed in 1990. They have often been compared to My Bloody Valentine.-Formation and early career:...
- The Titanics
- Upsidedown Cross
- The Worthless