| Go-Kart Records | |
| Genre: | Punk rock |
| Country: | United States |
| Location: | New York City |
Go-Kart Records was an independent record label specializing in punk rock located in New York City that was most active from 1995 to 2005. It also has a European division in Mannheim, Germany.
In its May 1999 issue, Guitar World magazine listed Go-Kart as one of the "twelve most influential forces in punk rock today" along with Epitaph Records, Ian MacKaye, Jello Biafra and NOFX.
In 2003 the label released the first commercially available MP3 CdD entitled the "Go-kart MP300 Raceway." All-music called the release a, "revolution in a jewel case."[1] It contained 300 songs from 150 bands and included an MP3 player and instructions on how to burn the songs to CD.
In 2004, the company opened an office in Los Angeles and started an offshoot division to release independent films under the moniker Go-kart Films. The Los Angeles office closed in 2008.
From 2006 to 2007, label owner Greg Ross hosted a show entitled Radio Free Greg on Punk Radio Cast (punkradiocast.com) that was the station's most popular show and one of the most listened to shows on the Internet.
As of 2012, the label has slowed down, occasionally releasing music under the Go-Kart imprint as well as its pop-punk imprint Kid Tested Records.
Artists that appeared on Go-kart releases (full-lengths, EPs and 7"s --- does not include artists that appeared only on compilations)
Artists Released on Go-kart Europe (full-lengths, EPs and 7"s --- does not include artists that appeared only on compilations)
The label is an outspoken critic of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), arguing that the association uses ineffective and heavy-handed business tactics and does not fulfill its claims to represent the music industry.[2] In contrast to the RIAA, the label promotes music downloads, arguing that they help consumers sample music before buying. It has released five albums and numerous single songs for free download on its webpage.