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| Vagrant Records | |
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| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Rich Egan, Jon Cohen |
| Distributing label | Fontana Distribution |
| Genre | Rock, Indie rock, Emo, Post-hardcore, Hardcore punk, Punk, Metalcore |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Location | Santa Monica, California |
| Official website | http://www.vagrant.com |
Vagrant Records is an independent record label, founded by Face to Face manager Rich Egan and friend Jon Cohen in 1996. The label has become increasingly popular, garnering gold albums and MTV Video Music Awards. In 2001 Interscope Records acquired a non-controlling interest in Vagrant Records, but in December 2006 the terms ended and Vagrant became a fully independent record label, with record distribution through Fontana Distribution.
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History
The first band signed by Vagrant Records was Boxer with their album The Hurt Process released on May 5, 1998.
In 1999 Vagrant Records signed Kansas City, Missouri band The Get Up Kids who released their Vagrant debut Something to Write Home About in September 1999. This release is widely credited with giving the label their first major boost, making Vagrant what it is today.[1] They followed this by signing and releasing albums from other heavyweights in the emo scene like Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, and Dashboard Confessional. Dashboard Confessional's video for "Screaming Infidelities" garnered Vagrant an MTV Video Music Award. As the label cemented itself in the "emo" genre, The Get Up Kids, as well as other early prominent emo artists, would dissociate themselves from the label, as being labeled "emo" soon became something of an insult.[2]
The label then went on to release solo material from The Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg, beginning the label's transition away from their roots of punk and emo. They soon signed Eels and released their album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations.
In 2005 the label acquired New York City indie label Startime International, with whom they co-released albums from The French Kicks and The Futureheads. During that time Vagrant signed The Hold Steady and The Lemonheads.
In 2006 Vagrant formed a children's label imprint, Poquito Records and released Vagrant artist The New Amsterdams' side-project The Terrible Twos' debut album "If You Ever See an Owl".
In 2007 Vagrant formed another imprint label, Density Records, which will release heavier material than has traditionally been released on the label. In October 2007, Vagrant announced the signing of Murder By Death.
Bands
- Alexisonfire
- The A-Sides
- The Bled
- City And Colour
- The Comas
- A Cursive Memory
- Dashboard Confessional
- Dr Manhattan
- Eels
- Emanuel
- French Kicks
- The Hold Steady
- John Ralston
- The Lemonheads
- Moneen
- Murder By Death
- The Night Marchers
- Paul Westerberg
- Protest The Hero
- Reggie and the Full Effect
- Saves The Day (re-signed in 2006)
- School Boy Humor
- Senses Fail
- Thrice
- Warship
Former Bands
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (November 2007) |
- Alkaline Trio
- The Anniversary
- Audio Learning Center
- Automatic 7
- Biology
- Boxer
- Down To Earth Approach
- Face to Face
- From Autumn To Ashes
- The Futureheads
- The Get Up Kids
- Gotohells
- Hey Mercedes
- The Hippos
- Hot Rod Circuit
- Koufax
- The New Amsterdams
- No Motiv
- Rocket From The Crypt
- Viva Death
Links
See also
References
- ^ Alternative Press Issue 204 "Say Goodnight, Mean Goodbye: An Oral History OF The Get Up Kids"
- ^ Heller, Greg (2000-09-10), Bands Seek Emotional Rescue, San Francisco Chronicle, <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2000/09/10/PK92338.DTL>. Retrieved on 2 March 2008
External links
- Vagrant Records
- Vagrant Records at MySpace
- Business as Usual? The Rocky Rise of Vagrant Records — in-depth label profile Punk Planet 49 (2002)
