Brutal Bands
08-21-2006, 04:40 PM
French webzine Nightfall In Metal Earth interviews Scott of Brutal Bands -
1°) First I would like to thank you to answer our questions. Could you introduce us your label (history, key moments, signed bands and so on?
Scott : Sure, the name of this label is Brutal Bands. This label was started in September of 2002. We’re primarily a brutal death metal label with a roster consisting of Abysmal Torment, Devourment, Element, Emeth, Incinerate, and at one time Stabwound (before they broke up). We also created a subsidiary label called Extreme Underground with releases from Nailshitter and Necrotorture. We currently have 10 releases out and many more to come. Next up on the list will be Element’s debut full length.
2°) Why did you decide to create your own label?
S : Well, I play guitar for Incinerate. In my opinion, most labels out there were lacking. And I didn’t want to put all of our band’s hard work into some label that wasn’t also going to work hard for us. So I started up Brutal Bands and signed Incinerate. And things just grew from there.
3°) What about the label management?
S : Umm, I’m not sure what you’re asking here. I do run this label solely on my own. I decide what bands are signed, handle all finances, web site and online store updates, all graphics work for print, promotion, etc.
4) What is your biggest pride with the label ?
S : Well, I am most proud of all the bands on this label. Every one of them works really hard. I trust every one of them with all my heart to put out the best releases possible. They all have true underground spirits. I am also proud of the success of this label in general. I’ve put countless hours of time into this label to get it were it is today, and I know there is still much work to be done to continue making it grow. And last but surely not least, our customers – without them, there absolutely would be no label – so thanks to each and every one of them for their continued support!
5°) on which criteria do you decide to work with a band ?
S : Well of course I need to like the music and believe in it. If I don’t believe 100% in a band and their music, I don’t sign them. The reason for that is this; I believe people are best at what they really truly enjoy. So for me to do the best job for a band that I can, I want to make sure I truly enjoy what they are doing. I try to stay away from things that are done half assed. I don’t sign bands to make a quick buck and then push them off to the side. As stated earlier, this is primarily a brutal death metal label, so of course a band needs to play music in the genres of brutal death, death grind, black death, etc. In the future we may expand out a little (not a lot though) on what we will sign. But no matter what, quality is very important to us; quality all around, from the music, to production, to artwork/imagery, etc. There are already enough labels out there signing every garage band they can get their hands on to make a quick buck so they can pay their rent next month. We’re not like that. We are fairly picky about who we sign. Our hope is to build up a reputation for signing great bands and putting out great releases every time, so that fans will just automatically know if it’s a BB or EU release, they are going to want it – period.
6°) What about the future of the label at short and middle term ?
S : We’ve got a couple more releases scheduled out in the works from Element and later on Incinerate. We’ve also got a handful of bands we’re in early talks with, but at most only one or maybe two will be signed if any. We’re in no rush to sign more bands. One of our goals is to get major retail distribution going. We recently signed an exclusive distribution deal with PHD Canada Distribution. So if they do their jobs well, hopefully BB and EU releases will be invading the shelves of chain retail stores, metalshops, and other independent music stores throughout Canada. We’d really like to also attain major distribution in the US and Europe. But this all takes time and patience. Other than that, just keep doing what we are doing.
7°) We reach the main subject of this ITW : the UNDERGROUND. How would you define the underground ? Feel free to be the most precised you can and don’t hesitate to be exhaustive!
S : To me there are two ways of looking at the underground – from outside of the underground, and from inside the underground. Normal everyday people that listen to Top 40 radio music most likely look at all extreme metal (if they ever stumble across it that is) as being underground. But someone like myself who is in the underground looks at it differently. To me the underground consists of all the extreme metal bands, labels, tours, etc that don’t have as much access and exposure to the commercial mainstream side of the music industry as some of the larger entities in extreme metal may have. Now days we are starting to see some of the bigger name acts in extreme metal doing tours with nu-metal bands, they’re the ones with music videos that are getting airplay, they’re the ones always on the covers of magazines. Labels such as Metalblade Records, Century Media, Relapse Records, Earache Records, etc, to me are not underground anymore. They are so huge now days that they have access to give their bands quite a bit of commercial exposure; whereas the underground to me consists of bands and labels that are doing things more on their on so to speak; promoting without a huge budget, setting up their own tours without an agency, trading out releases to other labels/distros versus having everything distributed out to retail commercial channels, etc. So in my opinion there are literally two levels within the underground itself, there is the commercial side within the underground, and the underground side within the underground – if that makes any sense at all – haha!
8°) To be in keeping with the definition you just gave, do you consider your label as un UG label ? and why?
S : Yes, I definitely consider Brutal Bands to be an underground label. The reasons being, this is a fairly new and small label still. Everything is done solely by me. No new label starts out on top day one. It takes many years to grow into a large entity. Labels like Metalblade Records, Century Media, Relapse Records, Earache Records, etc, they all started out 15, 20, 25 years ago, not to mention at a time when there weren’t very many underground metal labels out there – so for them there wasn’t nearly the competition that there is now days. Now days I think it’s a lot harder for an underground label to grow because the scene is flooded with so many labels, that no single one can truly prosper and grow into something huge, because they’re all fighting and struggling with each other (competition) just to stay alive, let alone grow. Brutal Bands has grown quite a bit since September of 2002, but it’s still an underground label. My hopes are that with more distribution, will come more exposure of the bands and this label, which will also help everyone involved grow.
9°) What are the main advantages and disadvantages for a label which belongs to the UG ?
S : Advantages – more on a personal level with your bands, I think there’s more pride in the underground. Disadvantages – smaller budget to work with, less exposure, etc
10°) what are the differencies between the UG scene and the metal scene ? Are there some common points ?
S : Well, like I said earlier, to me there is an underground metal scene, and a more commercial underground metal scene. Sure both struggle for record sales, exposure, etc, but in the underground, you work hard and a lot is done on your own, whereas in the more commercial side of the underground, you’ve got a lot of money being dumped into your band to make it a bigger name band. To me a band can only go so far in the underground. Then the next step is to try to take things further and get into the more commercial side. And in some cases that may mean selling out, or changing what your band is all about, just so you’ll fit the required mould those large commercial labels are looking for.
11°) We often contrast UG to business or money. Do you think that both are so dissociated ?
S : I think there are many shitty underground labels signing many garage bands that should not be signed – why, because they don’t have the money to sign good bands. But there are also some underground labels out there that sign many great bands. You don’t have to be rich to start up a decent underground label. You need to be patient though, and sign good bands, bands that people want to actually listen to. Some other underground labels that I respect for their quality in bands/releases are Unique Leader Records, Neurotic Records, Unmatched Brutality Records, etc. These are all labels that were started out by one person, and have grown to become known for putting out quality releases.
12°) What do you like and dislike the most by the fact of being in the UG ?
S : I love the personal level I am on with everyone, from our bands, other labels, fans, customers, etc. I also enjoy the satisfaction of doing something on my own and succeeding – I’m very proud of that. On the other hand, like anyone involved in the underground, there’s the lack of exposure that can really restrict success and make things hard.
13°) What do you think about the French scene (strong and weak points) In comparison to the international scene ?
S : I don’t really know too much about the French scene I’m afraid. Being here in the US, we have more general knowledge about Europe as a whole. I feel that Europe has one of the strongest metal scenes in the world; much stronger than in the US anyways. I hope to be able to experience the scene in Europe some day with my own band.
continued below...
1°) First I would like to thank you to answer our questions. Could you introduce us your label (history, key moments, signed bands and so on?
Scott : Sure, the name of this label is Brutal Bands. This label was started in September of 2002. We’re primarily a brutal death metal label with a roster consisting of Abysmal Torment, Devourment, Element, Emeth, Incinerate, and at one time Stabwound (before they broke up). We also created a subsidiary label called Extreme Underground with releases from Nailshitter and Necrotorture. We currently have 10 releases out and many more to come. Next up on the list will be Element’s debut full length.
2°) Why did you decide to create your own label?
S : Well, I play guitar for Incinerate. In my opinion, most labels out there were lacking. And I didn’t want to put all of our band’s hard work into some label that wasn’t also going to work hard for us. So I started up Brutal Bands and signed Incinerate. And things just grew from there.
3°) What about the label management?
S : Umm, I’m not sure what you’re asking here. I do run this label solely on my own. I decide what bands are signed, handle all finances, web site and online store updates, all graphics work for print, promotion, etc.
4) What is your biggest pride with the label ?
S : Well, I am most proud of all the bands on this label. Every one of them works really hard. I trust every one of them with all my heart to put out the best releases possible. They all have true underground spirits. I am also proud of the success of this label in general. I’ve put countless hours of time into this label to get it were it is today, and I know there is still much work to be done to continue making it grow. And last but surely not least, our customers – without them, there absolutely would be no label – so thanks to each and every one of them for their continued support!
5°) on which criteria do you decide to work with a band ?
S : Well of course I need to like the music and believe in it. If I don’t believe 100% in a band and their music, I don’t sign them. The reason for that is this; I believe people are best at what they really truly enjoy. So for me to do the best job for a band that I can, I want to make sure I truly enjoy what they are doing. I try to stay away from things that are done half assed. I don’t sign bands to make a quick buck and then push them off to the side. As stated earlier, this is primarily a brutal death metal label, so of course a band needs to play music in the genres of brutal death, death grind, black death, etc. In the future we may expand out a little (not a lot though) on what we will sign. But no matter what, quality is very important to us; quality all around, from the music, to production, to artwork/imagery, etc. There are already enough labels out there signing every garage band they can get their hands on to make a quick buck so they can pay their rent next month. We’re not like that. We are fairly picky about who we sign. Our hope is to build up a reputation for signing great bands and putting out great releases every time, so that fans will just automatically know if it’s a BB or EU release, they are going to want it – period.
6°) What about the future of the label at short and middle term ?
S : We’ve got a couple more releases scheduled out in the works from Element and later on Incinerate. We’ve also got a handful of bands we’re in early talks with, but at most only one or maybe two will be signed if any. We’re in no rush to sign more bands. One of our goals is to get major retail distribution going. We recently signed an exclusive distribution deal with PHD Canada Distribution. So if they do their jobs well, hopefully BB and EU releases will be invading the shelves of chain retail stores, metalshops, and other independent music stores throughout Canada. We’d really like to also attain major distribution in the US and Europe. But this all takes time and patience. Other than that, just keep doing what we are doing.
7°) We reach the main subject of this ITW : the UNDERGROUND. How would you define the underground ? Feel free to be the most precised you can and don’t hesitate to be exhaustive!
S : To me there are two ways of looking at the underground – from outside of the underground, and from inside the underground. Normal everyday people that listen to Top 40 radio music most likely look at all extreme metal (if they ever stumble across it that is) as being underground. But someone like myself who is in the underground looks at it differently. To me the underground consists of all the extreme metal bands, labels, tours, etc that don’t have as much access and exposure to the commercial mainstream side of the music industry as some of the larger entities in extreme metal may have. Now days we are starting to see some of the bigger name acts in extreme metal doing tours with nu-metal bands, they’re the ones with music videos that are getting airplay, they’re the ones always on the covers of magazines. Labels such as Metalblade Records, Century Media, Relapse Records, Earache Records, etc, to me are not underground anymore. They are so huge now days that they have access to give their bands quite a bit of commercial exposure; whereas the underground to me consists of bands and labels that are doing things more on their on so to speak; promoting without a huge budget, setting up their own tours without an agency, trading out releases to other labels/distros versus having everything distributed out to retail commercial channels, etc. So in my opinion there are literally two levels within the underground itself, there is the commercial side within the underground, and the underground side within the underground – if that makes any sense at all – haha!
8°) To be in keeping with the definition you just gave, do you consider your label as un UG label ? and why?
S : Yes, I definitely consider Brutal Bands to be an underground label. The reasons being, this is a fairly new and small label still. Everything is done solely by me. No new label starts out on top day one. It takes many years to grow into a large entity. Labels like Metalblade Records, Century Media, Relapse Records, Earache Records, etc, they all started out 15, 20, 25 years ago, not to mention at a time when there weren’t very many underground metal labels out there – so for them there wasn’t nearly the competition that there is now days. Now days I think it’s a lot harder for an underground label to grow because the scene is flooded with so many labels, that no single one can truly prosper and grow into something huge, because they’re all fighting and struggling with each other (competition) just to stay alive, let alone grow. Brutal Bands has grown quite a bit since September of 2002, but it’s still an underground label. My hopes are that with more distribution, will come more exposure of the bands and this label, which will also help everyone involved grow.
9°) What are the main advantages and disadvantages for a label which belongs to the UG ?
S : Advantages – more on a personal level with your bands, I think there’s more pride in the underground. Disadvantages – smaller budget to work with, less exposure, etc
10°) what are the differencies between the UG scene and the metal scene ? Are there some common points ?
S : Well, like I said earlier, to me there is an underground metal scene, and a more commercial underground metal scene. Sure both struggle for record sales, exposure, etc, but in the underground, you work hard and a lot is done on your own, whereas in the more commercial side of the underground, you’ve got a lot of money being dumped into your band to make it a bigger name band. To me a band can only go so far in the underground. Then the next step is to try to take things further and get into the more commercial side. And in some cases that may mean selling out, or changing what your band is all about, just so you’ll fit the required mould those large commercial labels are looking for.
11°) We often contrast UG to business or money. Do you think that both are so dissociated ?
S : I think there are many shitty underground labels signing many garage bands that should not be signed – why, because they don’t have the money to sign good bands. But there are also some underground labels out there that sign many great bands. You don’t have to be rich to start up a decent underground label. You need to be patient though, and sign good bands, bands that people want to actually listen to. Some other underground labels that I respect for their quality in bands/releases are Unique Leader Records, Neurotic Records, Unmatched Brutality Records, etc. These are all labels that were started out by one person, and have grown to become known for putting out quality releases.
12°) What do you like and dislike the most by the fact of being in the UG ?
S : I love the personal level I am on with everyone, from our bands, other labels, fans, customers, etc. I also enjoy the satisfaction of doing something on my own and succeeding – I’m very proud of that. On the other hand, like anyone involved in the underground, there’s the lack of exposure that can really restrict success and make things hard.
13°) What do you think about the French scene (strong and weak points) In comparison to the international scene ?
S : I don’t really know too much about the French scene I’m afraid. Being here in the US, we have more general knowledge about Europe as a whole. I feel that Europe has one of the strongest metal scenes in the world; much stronger than in the US anyways. I hope to be able to experience the scene in Europe some day with my own band.
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