CASSETTE WEEK - Day 6
Record labels
Wow it’s day 6 of Cassette Week already! Are you all still with me?? haha. Below we feature 2 amazing labels that have Cassette Week releases coming out. They both have also been integral forces within their local music scenes for a very long time.
Founded by DJ Chuck Wren in 1993, JUMP UP is a Chicago based independent record label and mail order distribution company specializing in modern bands who play original Jamaican ska, reggae, rock steady, and calypso. With nearly 125 releases under their belt, they proudly stand by their motto “Jamaican Music Made The Old Fashioned Way”.
I first came across Jump Up in 2015 during Cassette Store Day and since then have become a huge fan of their work. I highly recommend putting an ear up to the Jump Up catalog. They have 7 releases set for Cassette Week this year so I sent Chuck over a few questions about tapes, ska and the label and he was happy to answer them.
Wow so you’ve been running Jump Up in Chicago since 93’. Is that where
you grew up? What inspired you to start the label?
Yup yup. Planted the seeds in 1993 and released my first compilation
"American Skathic" towards the end of that year. I grew up in the
northern suburbs of Chicago, started my radio show in 1989 at
Northwestern University - from that came the idea of championing the
local Midwest ska scene to ensure that we didn't get overshadowed by the
East and West coasts. Back when I started the radio show it was all
vinyl and demos sent on cassette tape, still have a tub of close to 400
gems. Love looking through those tapes this time of year, brings back
great memories.
How did you first get into ska? What are some of the bands that made you
fall in love with this music?
My best friend's older sister had an Untouchables jean jacket, 2 Tone
posters on her wall, and blasted The Selecter in her room. Guessing that
was in 7th grade? Hooked on "alternative music" from that moment on. Ska
fully took the lead before I went off to college in 1988. Not many
active bands back then so when The Toasters, Bim Skala Bim, Hotknives,
Skeletones, No Sports, Fishbone, Mr Review, Napoleon Solo, Dance Hall
Crashers, NY Citizens etc put out new records it was a momentous
occasion! Of course I was also nodding back to the past The Maytals,
Skatalites, Specials, Madness, The Beat and the like. I still remember
hearing on "Rock Over London" the announcement Madness was breaking up!
Thank goodness it was relatively short lived.
How is the ska scene in Chicago?
It's always been pretty strong. Comes and goes over the years but we can
always support touring acts big and small. Back in the mid 90s there
were weeks where I had DJ gigs during live shows 4-5 days in a given
week. Thank goodness it leveled off as I got older. Usually 3-5 gigs in
a month now including my monthly residency at Delilah's which I have
done for (gulp!) 26 years straight. Well.....this whole virus thing has
brought that all to a halt but gotta think positive about the future!
When did you start putting releases out on cassette?
Other than promo tape demos in the 90s? That would be in 2015 when we
participated in our first Cassette Store Day and released the killer
"Pressure Drip" label sampler with Dark Matter coffee. It was inspired
by Toots & The Maytals if you couldn't guess. There was a coffee bag
that was part of it too, and it had amazing art by the one and only
Chema Skandal. Chema would design future tapes for us as well including
"Pressure Hop" (with Ska Brewing) and The Crombies! We have
participated in every CSD since it's 2nd year and have now released more
than 50 total albums on cassette, which is a bit surreal. Truth be
told, bands get SO EXCITED when they hold their music in their hands on
tape. Vinyl has become so common now that artists really get most
excited about that Magnetic Magic!
I’m real excited about the Jump Up Cassette Week releases you have
coming out, especially the dub ones. I’ve had that Flying Vipers on
repeat. And just today i started listening to Lollypop Lorry, love it!
Are they really from Russia? And what punk anthems can we expect from
this C.B. “Punk goes dub” tape? Besides the dub you’ve got The
Uppertones from Italy (super fun!) Spy Kids featuring Matt Hensley from
Flogging Molly, the Jump Up “we do ska too” compilation and a Moon Ska
release Skoidats “the times”. What made you pick these for tape releases?
Glad to hear you like the class of 2020! Every year we try to vary the
releases between the styles of Jamaican music we champion. We try to
toss in some reissue nostalgia (classic 90s ska that has never been on
tape before) plus modern bands who keep the scene alive. Yes Lollypop
Lorry is from Russia! Spy Kids were active in the early 90s and got back
in the studio this past December to bring back that SoCal 2-Tone magic!
Punk Goes Dub - you're gonna have to wait to find out but it's pretty
amazing... that I can tell you! The Uppertones are technically a pre-ska
Jamaican Rhythm & Blues trio, all fans of New Orleans jump blues (which
heavily influenced the original Jamaican 60's ska) will dig! The
Skoidats reissue is packed to the gill with their two original demo
tapes as a bonus. And of course our "WE DO THE SKA TOO" label sampler
comes in a foam drink koozie!
What kind of tapes are in your personal collection? Anything rare or
just something you consider extra special?
I can't even start to comment on that. Hoarders paradise. Every year I
would do a "Tape Jockey" live set at a Bucket O Blood Records in Chicago
and video it - as soon as that got shared the DMs start coming in for
collectors who "MUST HAVE" some demo tape pictured to complete their
collection. Sorry guys!
Anything else coming soon from Jump Up we should keep a look out for?
Final words?
Honestly we put out so much music nowadays my head is always spinning.
We are fully committed to the tape format and promise to continue
feeding boomboxes across the world! Respect The Tape!
Thanks to Tapehead City for all the support over the years!! You are a
national treasure and we truly appreciate that you took on the event
this year to keep it alive!
Chuck Wren / Jump Up Records
To learn more about Jump Up and their releases visit Jumpuprecords.com
You can also find their tapes for sale at Tapehead City
DEAD BROKE REKERDS is an independent, D.I.Y. record label/distro based out of Long Island, NY. Since 2002. This label was started to record & distribute our own bands, our friends bands, and anything else we feel people should hear. We aim to expose great music to as many people as we can, without the cost, hence the ingenius name. Up the punx.
Mike Bruno heads up Dead Broke Rekerds and currently plays bass in 2 bands, “Iron Chic” and “Adult Magic”. I met Mike in the early 2000’s, he had booked my band on a show with his new band at the time “Down In The Dumps”. Since then i’ve been able to witness first hand, the thriving punk rock community Dead Broke has built around it. They are a rock to the long island scene. For Cassette Week they are reissuing Iron Chic “Not Like This” so i sent Mike over some questions to talk tapes and see what’s been going on with label lately.
So Mike... you’ve been running Dead Broke Rekerds for almost 20 years! Thats pretty amazing! To stick with something that long is quite an accomplishment. Do you still feel excited about the label? Would you say you’re ready for another 20 years?
Yes im definitely more focused than ever. Im not sure I have the room in my basement for another 20 years, but lets see what happens! Haha. I dont plan on retiring it anytime soon. But to still be excited almost 20 years later is pretty cool. When it’s not fun or exciting anymore, thats when I throw in the towel.
For as long as I can remember you’ve been putting out tapes. Do you remember what your first cassette release was and when you released it?
Thanks for that! Most people think we just jumped on the recent cassette bandwagon but truth is some of our first ever releases were tapes! Our first tape releases were the first two Down In The Dumps demo tapes “Fuckin wit dirty pipes pt. 1&2”. And our very first Tape Comp vol. 1. which I probably hand dubbed a hundred? (or more) on various double tape decks. I went through A LOT of them from thrift stores.
How do you decide which releases you put on tape and which ones you don’t? Do you find that bands want to do a tape or is it something you generally have to suggest?
Well basically if I want to work with a band, but financially it doesn’t make sense to do vinyl, we do a tape. Sometimes the release just calls for a tape too, whether its a demo or whatever. Not that exciting, I know.
Haha… So what kind of tapes are in your personal collection? Anything rare or just something you consider extra special?
Hundreds of DIY punk tapes! My tape collection is 95% punk tapes Ive gotten through the label, touring & shows. With the exception of a few collections of my favorite bands on tape (Replacements, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, etc) Ive got a few demo tapes that are pretty rare but dear to my heart because they could never be replaced.
How is the label doing during this pandemic? Has it disrupted any plans you had in the works? Are you finding new ways to adapt?
The label is surprisingly doing better than ever. We’ve been working hard on our distro store, which has been doing real well this year. It has really given us the opportunity to focus on our distro & make it bigger and better. Check it out! (deadbrokedistro.com)
Im super excited to see you are reissuing Iron Chic’s debut album from 2010 for cassette week! I must say it’s about time! What inspired the release?
You did! Ha! We were going to do a dead broke 18th bday party this year and chic was going to play the album in its entirety, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its release. But since that got all fucked up & I repressed the vinyl recently, figured it was a good idea to repress the tape. which hasnt been done in a long, long while. Thanks charlie!
Any other exciting tape releases or just cool stuff coming out soon from Dead Broke?
Yes, always! Got some new tapes coming from Prisoner (ex- Prince/Dude Jams), as well as Long Island electronic duo, Nightway. Plus a DBR Comp celebrating 200 releases, a new LP from Somerset Thrower & maybe another reissue up our sleeves. Were always up to something!
Mike Bruno / Dead Broke Rekerds
To find out more about Dead Broke and the distro visit http://deadbrokerecords.com
You can also find some Dead Broke tapes for sale at Tapehead City
IRON CHIC
“Not Like This”
Dead Broke Rekerds
(150 pressed)
I only had time to feature 2 labels, but there’s actually a bunch of great labels that contributed releases this year. Here is the full list of participating Cassette Week labels.
Sub Pop
Tapehead City
Nomad Eel Records
Nightstand Records
Independent
Strange Daisy Records
GIVE/TAKE
Broken Sound Tapes
MAHALO UNltd
Cacophone Records
Hyper Fire Records
Tinker Tapes
Blade Records
AndVinyl Records / Moon Rooster
Lavender Sweep Records
SDM Records
TBA Records
Ghostie Recordings
Personal Soundtracks
In The Lake Records
Technique Records
Self Released
Cheeba Cheeba Records
Sloomweep
Soul Mates
SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Tapehead City will carry tape releases from any bands or label on consignment. Download form
The tabs out podcast website has a cassette label list you can add your label to HERE
For tape duplication services check out:
For tape Distribution:
For stickers:
If you’re just getting started with releasing tapes I found this video with some basic tips you might find helpful.
Well that’s it for today folks. See ya tomorrow for release day!!