Bong Load Records Explained

Bong Load Records
Founded:1991
Status:Active
Country:United States
Location:Los Angeles, California

Bong Load Records is an independent record label originally based in Los Angeles which was founded by producers Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf and partner Bradshaw Lambert.

Much of the Bong Load Records catalog is released in small quantities. Several bands have very rare releases that are much sought after and command high prices at auctions.

Bong Load Records relaunched on its 25th anniversary in 2016 with limited edition vinyl releases. Tom Rothrock sums up the label "Our core philosophy of the indie label was always about making high quality music with artists who have dedicated their lives to their craft – artists who otherwise might not have been heard."[1]

History

One of Bong Load Records' biggest signings was Beck in 1991. Beck's "Loser" single became the first number one, non-major label single since FM radio became mainstream.[2] In 1998, Beck recorded the album Mutations intended for release on Bong Load Records but it was eventually released on the Geffen label. There were a series of lawsuits between Beck, Bong Load and Geffen, settled in 1999, which led to Beck's renegotiation with Geffen.[3] Beck released multiple titles on Bong Load including Loser, Mellow Gold, Odelay, Mutations and Midnite Vultures.[4]

Other notable bands from the original Bong Load Custom Records include Wool, Kyuss, The Obsessed, Fatso Jetson, Elliott Smith, The Eels, L7, R.L. Burnside and Lutefisk. Stoner rock band Fu Manchu released their first two albums via Bong Load Records.[5]

In 2007, Rothrock briefly relaunched the label with a series of releases, including his own instrumental album Resonator.[6]

In July 2016, Bong Load Records announced a relaunch of the label, now based in Las Vegas, with 7 limited edition vinyl releases: The Killers (Sam’s Town - 10th Anniversary reissue),[7] Mark Stoermer (Dark Arts),[8] Masters of Reality (Deep In The Hole - 15th Anniversary reissue - features Chris Goss and guests Mark Lanegan, Josh Homme and members of Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss) Elliott Smith (Figure 8, XO) and Beck (Odelay (20th Anniversary reissue), Mellow Gold).[9]

Discography

2016

2007

2001

2000

1999

1998

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bong Load Records celebrates its 25 year anniversary . Cohen . Sari . 1 Aug 2016 . AXS.com . 12 August 2016.
  2. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=beck|chart=all}} Beck—Artist Chart History ]. . December 21, 2008 .
  3. Web site: Geffen Sues Beck, Alleging Singer Breached Contract . . 29 April 1999 . 15 September 2014 . Boucher, Geoff.
  4. https://www.discogs.com/label/18535-Bong-Load-Records "Bong Load Records"
  5. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fu-manchu-mn0000988529 "Fu Manchu"
  6. http://www.allmusic.com/album/resonator-mw0001065280 Tom Rothrock - Resonator
  7. Web site: The Killers Announce Sam's Town Reissue, 10th Anniversary Party . Strauss . Matthew . Pitchfork Media . 1 August 2016 . Pitchfork . 11 August 2016.
  8. illers' Mark Stoermer Premieres Solo Video 'Are Your Stars Out?,' Talks Band's Next Move: Exclusive . Payne . Chris . 1 August 2016 . Billboard . 11 August 2016.
  9. Web site: BONG LOAD RECORDS RELOCATES TO LAS VEGAS, REISSUES BECK, ELLIOTT SMITH AND MORE ON VINYL . Patterson . Spencer . 29 July 2016 . Las Vegas Weekly . 11 August 2016.