About the list: Universal, Sony and Warner are not on this list. This would be a contradiction in terms. This list contains the most important record labels in the genre. Five out of ten are still active. To visit their website, just click on the icon (opens in a new window).
|
No |
Logotype | Record label | Active |
Comment |
|
1 |
 |
Devil's Ruin Records |
NO |
Devil’s Ruin Records rose and fell. The label stayed around long enough to release thirty or so albums. Many of them constitute the core of the gothic country genre. Read my tribute here (opens in a new window). |
|
2 |
 |
Farmageddon Records |
NO |
Founded by Darren Dorlarque in 2009. Perhaps more of a co-op than a label. They focus on roots and underground music, such as Filthy Still, Jayke Orvis, The Goddamn Gallows and Highlonesome. |
|
3 |
 |
Gravewax Records |
NO
|
Run by the employees Seth, Jeremy and Katja. The homepage has been “under construction” since day one. Still, they have released obscure material such as Sons of Perdition and Peter Murphy’s Carver Combo. |
|
4 |
 |
Tribulation Recording Co. |
YES |
Tribulation Recording Co. is the home of Those Poor Bastards and Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks. Having your own record label gives you full economic and artistic control. Works like clockwork. |
|
5 |
 |
Suzy Q Records |
NO |
Their record store became an economic disaster and was closed down. The former store-owners started to promoting and releasing their own and others music in a small scale. Home of Reverend Elvis. |
|
6 |
 |
Voodoo Rhythm Records |
YES |
Swiss label. Their mission statement really says it all: “Records to ruin any party. We make a junkie out of everybody – if it’s too loud you’re too old.” Home of The Dead Brothers. |
|
7 |
 |
Carrot Top Records |
NO |
A super small, independent record label in Chicago. Sporadically releasing music of baffling quality for over 20 years, for examle The Handsome Family. Sadly, they will no longer be releasing any new music. |
|
8 |
 |
Alternative Tentacles |
YES |
Established in June of 1979 and is most likely the longest lasting (and still active) underground record labels around. Including bands like 16 Horsepower, Tarantella and Munly & the Lupercalians. |
|
9 |
 |
Glitterhouse Records |
YES |
German label. Evolved from a fanzine to a record label. Groundbreaking when it comes to releasing American music in Europe. For example Wovenhand and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club. |
|
10 |
 |
Bloodshot Records |
YES |
Founded in 1994. They have always been drawn to the good stuff nestled in the dark, nebulous cracks where punk, country, soul, pop, bluegrass, blues and rock n roll mix and mingle and mutate. |