FLASHBACK: Sub Pop Records
This week's flashback the focus is on Sub Pop, the grunge label that shared with the world the likes of Nirvana and Mudhoney, and newer acts such as Husky.
Today we flash back on another of our favourite labels: SUB POP RECORDS. They're responsible for the careers of a diverse range of bands, from Nirvana to Dum Dum Girls to our very own Husky. And they're celebrating 25 years in the business on July 13.
That means that they've been around since 1988. Before that founder Bruce Pavitt started a fanzine called Subterranean Pop about American independent artists and their labels. He started releasing compilations as well as zines, and soon enough he and Jonathan Poneman decided it was time to start their own label.
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They got in on the ground floor of grunge, sending out the sounds of Seattle to the masses. And we're not just talking about Kurt here: there's also bands like Mudhoney and Soundgarden who enjoyed affiliations with the label.
Following a less than amicable split, Pavitt left Sub Pop in the mid-'90s. This gave Poneman the opportunity to change the direction of the label, rapidly expanding their operations and trying their hand at new genres.
Sub Pop flowered in the noughties, heading into the more indie pop side of things as they signed bands such as Foals, Wolf Parade and The Shins (the creators of the label's one and only Gold Record). They flirted with dream pop with the likes of Beach House, while also staying true to their roots.
They have punk groups like No Age and Sleater-Kinney on their roster.
They've even signed Flight of the Conchords for your recommended comedy dosage. In 2009 they signed their first hip hop band, Shabazz Palaces.
With the help of their label, these bands have conquered global markets, with some heading off to greener pastures, sometimes even creating their own labels. With three platinum records thanks to Nirvana, The Postal Service and Flight of the Conchords, Sub Pop show no signs of slowing.
Here's a condensed lists of our (other) favourite Sub Pop current students and alumni: Fleet Foxes, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Ugly Casanova, Washed Out, The Vaselines (our editor's favourite band ever), J Mascis, Iron and Wine, Kelley Stoltz, Hot Hot Heat and Band of Horses.
Words by Hannah Story
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