Iodine Recordings
Encyclopedia
Iodine Recordings was an independent record label
based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Iodine Recordings released punk, hardcore
, and indie rock
music. It was once home to bands such as Brand New
, Orange Island
, Smoke or Fire
(Jericho RVA), There Were Wires, Gregor Samsa
, and more.
Iodine started as a record distribution company in 1996
formed by Casey Horrigan. Iodine later evolved into a record label with its first release in 2000, a compilation CD titled "Ghost in the Gears" featuring popular hardcore bands such as Converge
, Cave In
, Zegota
, and Good Clean Fun
. Reuben Bettsack (singer of The Nationale Blue) purchased half the label in 2001 becoming co-owner and vice president of the company. Iodine soon started signing local and national artists of all different genres, and developed into a well known label. Iodine also put on a very popular annual music festival in Boston called Iodine Fest which shocased many popular indie and hardcore acts. In 2003 Iodine had its biggest release year, a total of eight records. Facing financial hardships and lack of sales to support these new releases, Iodine had to announce its closing at the end of 2003
.
Some Iodine bands moved on and had some great success. Brand New
signed to Triple Crown Records
/Interscope Records
, Orange Island
released two records on Triple Crown Records
and Rise Records
, Smoke or Fire
signed to Fat Wreck Chords
, Gregor Samsa
has signed to Kora Records and has a new CD as well as a split LP with Red Sparowes
on Robotic Empire
, and There Were Wires went on to form new bands like Disappearer and Doomriders
(Deathwish Inc.
).
Shortly before Iodine's closing the label had planned to release new records by: The Faux, Smoke or Fire
, Aim of Conrad, Eulcid, and The Nationale Blue. Iodine Recordings closed before these albums were recorded, and some of the artists recorded and released under a new record label.
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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:...
based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Iodine Recordings released punk, hardcore
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...
, and 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...
music. It was once home to bands such as Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
, Orange Island
Orange Island
Orange Island was a rock band based out of the town Clinton, Massachusetts. Orange Island formed in 1996 when cousins Charles Young and Brendan Dickhaut started writing music together and David Chouinard playing bass guitar. After writing songs together they asked their friend David Gorman to sing...
, Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand , Bill Ironfield , and Nick Maggiore , hailing from New Hampshire...
(Jericho RVA), There Were Wires, Gregor Samsa
Gregor Samsa (band)
Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....
, and more.
Iodine started as a record distribution company in 1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
formed by Casey Horrigan. Iodine later evolved into a record label with its first release in 2000, a compilation CD titled "Ghost in the Gears" featuring popular hardcore bands such as Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
, Cave In
Cave In
Cave In is an American rock band that formed in 1995, in Methuen, Massachusetts. After several members changes in the late 90's, their lineup solidified with the 1998 release of Until Your Heart Stops through Hydra Head Records. Their early albums were prominent releases in the independent...
, Zegota
Zegota (band)
Zegota is an American hardcore punk and post-hardcore band originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, formed in 1997.-History:Zegota formed in Greensboro around brothers Jon and Will Ridenour, respectively the group's guitarist and drummer, bassist Brian and singer Eric Moe...
, and Good Clean Fun
Good Clean Fun
Good Clean Fun is a hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C. who took their band name from the Descendents song of the same name.-History:...
. Reuben Bettsack (singer of The Nationale Blue) purchased half the label in 2001 becoming co-owner and vice president of the company. Iodine soon started signing local and national artists of all different genres, and developed into a well known label. Iodine also put on a very popular annual music festival in Boston called Iodine Fest which shocased many popular indie and hardcore acts. In 2003 Iodine had its biggest release year, a total of eight records. Facing financial hardships and lack of sales to support these new releases, Iodine had to announce its closing at the end of 2003
2003 in music
-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
.
Some Iodine bands moved on and had some great success. Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
signed to Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records is a New York-based record label. It is home to Hit the Lights, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter, Moving Mountains, and As Tall as Lions, among others...
/Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, Orange Island
Orange Island
Orange Island was a rock band based out of the town Clinton, Massachusetts. Orange Island formed in 1996 when cousins Charles Young and Brendan Dickhaut started writing music together and David Chouinard playing bass guitar. After writing songs together they asked their friend David Gorman to sing...
released two records on Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records is a New York-based record label. It is home to Hit the Lights, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter, Moving Mountains, and As Tall as Lions, among others...
and Rise Records
Rise Records
-History:Rise was founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Roseburg, Oregon. He released a small number of 7" records before putting the label on hiatus to attend college. Ericson didn't release anything further until 1999, after moving to Portland, Oregon. He began issuing small-print 7" records, and...
, Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand , Bill Ironfield , and Nick Maggiore , hailing from New Hampshire...
signed to Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, Gregor Samsa
Gregor Samsa (band)
Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....
has signed to Kora Records and has a new CD as well as a split LP with Red Sparowes
Red Sparowes
Red Sparowes is a Los Angeles post-rock band comprising current and former members of Isis, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair and Pleasure Forever. Their sound is characteristic of soundscape-influenced experimental rock, with an otherwise uncommon extensive use of a pedal steel guitar.-History:Red Sparowes...
on Robotic Empire
Robotic Empire
Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,...
, and There Were Wires went on to form new bands like Disappearer and Doomriders
Doomriders
Doomriders is a heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band has released two albums on Deathwish, Inc. The band's vocalist/guitarist Nate Newton also plays bass in Converge and guitar in Old Man Gloom. Jebb Riley formerly played bass in "There Were Wires". Doomriders have toured with...
(Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
).
Bands
- Agent 84
- Aim of Conrad
- Blue/Green Heart
- Brand NewBrand NewBrand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
- GarrisonGarrison (band)Garrison was a post-hardcore/punk band based in Boston, Massachusetts from 1996-2004. Garrison released two full length albums, both on Revelation Records...
- Good Band Name
- Gregor SamsaGregor Samsa (band)Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....
- The Moomaw Collective
- The Nationale Blue
- Orange IslandOrange IslandOrange Island was a rock band based out of the town Clinton, Massachusetts. Orange Island formed in 1996 when cousins Charles Young and Brendan Dickhaut started writing music together and David Chouinard playing bass guitar. After writing songs together they asked their friend David Gorman to sing...
- Smoke or FireSmoke or FireSmoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand , Bill Ironfield , and Nick Maggiore , hailing from New Hampshire...
(Jericho RVA) - There Were Wires
Release history
- Various Artists - Ghost in the Gears CD (2000)
- Orange Island - The Shape of Calling CDEP (2001)
- Blue/Green Heart - Self Esteem Through Modern Science 7 inch (2001)
- Good Band Name - Let's Get Dreamfasted CDEP (2001)
- Orange Island - Everything You Thought You Knew CD (2002)
- Brand New - Your Favorite WeaponYour Favorite Weapon-External links:* on YouTube...
w/ Bonus Track LP (2002) - Gregor Samsa - Untitled CDEP (2002)
- Various Artists - 2002 Label Sampler CD (2002)
- The Nationale Blue - A Different Kind of Listening CD (2002)
- There Were Wires - Self Titled CD (2003)
- Various Artists - A Mix CD with Love CD (2001)
- The Moomaw Collective - Kiss Me Red CD (2003)
- Gregor Samsa - 27:3627:36-Gregor Samsa:*Champ Bennett – guitar, vocals*Nikki King – Rhodes piano, keyboard, vocals*Nick Wurz – bass guitar*Nathan Altice – guitar, keyboard*Earl Yevak – drums-External links:*[ Preview 27:36 on All Music Guide]...
MCD (2003) - Garrison - The Model CDEP (2003)
- Smoke or Fire (Jericho RVA) - Worker's UnionWorker's UnionWorker's Union is the first EP from Richmond, Virginia based punk band Smoke or Fire. This was originally recorded under the name Jericho RVA and the band was forced to change their name shortly after the record's release due to a band already existing under the same name...
CDEP (2003) - There Were Wires - His Talk, Her Teeth 7 inch (2003)
- Aim of Conrad - Whiskey Slowboat MCD (2003)
- There Were Wires - Somnambulists MCD (2003)
- Various Artists - Gravity Rides Everything Multi Label Sampler CD (2003)
Records never released
The following records were recorded and produced, though were never released due to the reasons listed.- Agent 84 - War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength LP (1998) - Not released due to band breaking up.
- American Nightmare/Hassan I Sabbah - Split 7 inch - Not released due to recording complications.
- Orange Island - Somnia Singles 7 inch (2002) - Not released due to lack of funds.
- Garrison/Orange Island - splitSplit albumA split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
CDEP (2002) - Eventually released on Lonesome Recordings - Orange Island - The Tease CDEP (2003) - Not released due to Iodine's closing.
Shortly before Iodine's closing the label had planned to release new records by: The Faux, Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire
Smoke or Fire is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts.The band originally formed in 1998, when western Massachusetts native Joe McMahon got together with Chris Brand , Bill Ironfield , and Nick Maggiore , hailing from New Hampshire...
, Aim of Conrad, Eulcid, and The Nationale Blue. Iodine Recordings closed before these albums were recorded, and some of the artists recorded and released under a new record label.
Distribution
Iodine Recordings is exclusively distributed by Revelation RecordsRevelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
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