Blonde Vinyl Explained

Blonde Vinyl
Founder:Michael Knott
Distributor:Spectra, Diamante Music Group
Genre:Christian rock
Country:U.S.

Blonde Vinyl was an independent record label founded in 1990 by Michael Knott. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes the label as "one of Christian music's first true indie labels."[1]

Background

Blonde Vinyl signed bands with styles that were viable in the underground of the general market but rarely found their way into the Christian market[1] —old school punk, garage rock, grunge, gothic, EBM/industrial, synthpop/house, spoken word, acoustic pop.

A gambit in 1991 which saw Blonde Vinyl release 10 albums proved successful for a short period of time, with the company having a major fanbase among Christian teens and 20-somethings.[2] It would release albums for a two year period and carried the caption "New Alternative," which may have also introduced the official use of the word "alternative" to describe a style of music.

Blonde Vinyl folded in 1993 when its distributor Spectra Distribution, Inc. went bankrupt [3] after owing Knott a great deal of money.[4] [1] After bankruptcy, Knott attempted to resurrect Blonde Vinyl under the name Siren Records.[5] Siren managed two releases before going bankrupt: World Tour by LSU Cash in Chaos and Beautiful Dazzling Music No. 1 by Rainbow Rider (Dance House Children). After the failure of Siren, Knott started the band Aunt Bettys.[6]

Sub-labels

Three sub-labels were created to further classify the diverse musical styles that were being released on Blonde Vinyl: Voice of the Youth, SLAVA Music, and Blonde Vinyl Inspirational.

Voice of the Youth was created for the edgier alternative releases on Blonde Vinyl. Six albums were released under this imprint: product # bvcd 3482 (love gift) by Breakfast with Amy, Go, Fluffy, Go! by Fluffy, Screaming Brittle Siren by Michael Knott, The Grape Prophet by L.S. Underground, Plague of Ethyls, and As Blue as the State Allows by Sass o' Frass Tunic.

SLAVA Music existed as an underground industrial music-focused label before joining with Blonde Vinyl for distribution. Three albums were released under this imprint: Digital Priests - the Remixes by Deitiphobia, Revelation 1921 by Wigtop, and the SLAVA compilation.

Blonde Vinyl Inspirational was created for praise and worship music. The only release on this imprint was Quiet Assurance by N Side Out.

Notable artists

Compilations

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Powell, Mark Allan . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . 2002 . Hendrickson Publishers . Peabody, Massachusetts . 1-56563-679-1 . First printing . Michael Knott . 498–501 . registration . https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/498 .
  2. Web site: Michael Knott, who changed the course of Christian rock, dies at 61. Lars . Gotrich . NPR Music . . en-US . 2024-03-14 . 2024-03-14 .
  3. Web site: Spectra Distribution, Inc. Discography @ Nifty Music .
  4. News: Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll. John Joseph. Thompson. 179. ECW Press. 2000. 978-1-55022-421-4 . March 14, 2024.
  5. Brown . Bruce A. . August 1993 . On The Beat: Rock / Alternative . . 1524-7848 . 16 . 2 . 14 .
  6. Book: Powell . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . registration . 2002 . Aunt Bettys . 57. Hendrickson Publishers . 9781565636798 .
  7. Scaterd Few recorded Jawboneofanass for Blonde Vinyl, but due to the company's demise it was never released. Book: Powell . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . registration . 2002 . Scaterd Few . 794–795. Hendrickson Publishers . 9781565636798 .
  8. Web site: Blonde Vinyl Memorial | Various Artists . 2011-02-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713162211/http://www.knottheads.com/bvdetail.php?id=various . 2011-07-13 . dead .

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