Raw Energy Records Explained

Raw Energy Records
Founded:1989
Founder:Graeme Boyce
Status:reinvigorated for the modern era.
Distributor:A&M Records (Canada) & Black Mark (Global)
Genre:punk, ska
Location:Toronto, Ontario

Raw Energy Records was a Canadian independent record label, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The music label was established in the late 1980s by founder entrepreneur and music journalist Graeme Boyce,[1] initially to distribute the debut EP by King Apparatus, Loud Party.[1] Prior to launching Raw Energy, Boyce was a staff writer for RPM.

The label subsequently released King Apparatus' full-length debut album in 1990; after selling over 5,000 copies of the album in just a handful of record stores in downtown Toronto, the label secured a national distribution deal with A&M Records. The company expanded over the years, and launched new divisions to manage growth, such as Raw Energy Promotions and Raw Energy Radio.

Canadian artists who released Raw Energy albums included King Apparatus, King Cobb Steelie, Dinner Is Ruined, Random Killing, Trunk, Marilyn's Vitamins, Five Knuckle Chuckle, Three Impotent Males, Out of Hand, Cut Off, Double Standard, DNS, and Sectorseven. Raw Energy also released product from two U.S. acts, The Toasters and Rosie O'Shea. Grouped into the alternative genre, augmenting its roster of punk and ska, the label released a rap album from Top Secret and a noise album from Space City USA.

Discography[2]

BandRelease TitleFormat(s)Date
All Good ChildrenAll Good ChildrenCass/CD1992
The ToastersNew York FeverCass/CD1992
Various/CompilationOn The RoadCass/CD1993
King ApparatusMarblesCass/CD1993
King ApparatusHospital Waiting RoomCD/EP1993
HazeBook of ShadowsCass/CD1993
King Cobb SteelieKing Cobb SteelieCass/CD1993
King Cobb SteelieYou Said A MouthfulCD/EP1993
Top SecretIt Ain’t OverCass/CD1993
Dinner Is RuinedLove Songs…Cass/CD1993
Various/CompilationDead On The RoadCass/CD1993
MundaneSeedCass/CD1993
Random KillingThoughts of AggressionCass/CD1994
Throbbin’ HoodsAmbushCass/CD1994
SatanatrasEight Ate HateCass/CD1994
Rosie O’SheaPracticing SilenceCass/CD1994
Trigger HappyKillatron 2000Cass/CD1994
Various/CompilationOn The Road in NYCCD1994
Center Za DehumanizacijoOn The Red Screen7” Vinyl1994
Five Knuckle ChuckleCharliee HorseCD1995
TrunkBeaned Up PolkasCD1996
Throbbin’ HoodsHot Live ActionCD1996
Three Impotent MalesThree Impotent MalesCD1996
Random KillingUrine The 90s NowCD1996
Marilyn’s VitaminsIn These ShoesCD1996
The TirekickersSmedicationCD1996
Space City USAChromedCD1997
JerseyNo Turning BackCD1997
Out Of HandCanadian GothicCD1997
Random KillingStrandedCD1997
Five Knuckle ChuckleAll Hammed UpCD1997
Toe To ToeTaoCD1997
Various/CompilationOn The Road AgainCD1997
TrunkThrowin’ The HornsCD1998
Marilyn’s VitaminsPolitics On The Dance FloorCD1998
CutoffMakin’ BreakfastCD1998
Various/CompilationTwentybandcompCD1998
Jersey/OutspanIn Friends We TrustCD/EP1998
Marilyn’s VitaminsSqueegee Girl7” Vinyl1998
Double StandardDig That TrashCD1999
Various/CompilationOn The Road With a SnowboardCD1999
Sector SevenAlong The WayCD1999
DNSIdle TimeCD1999
No ConnectionToe Tappin’ FunCD1999
RacerAnalytical Observations Of UnnecessityCD1999
Out Of HandReserectionCD1999
Various/CompilationOn The Road To AmsterdamPromotional CD1999

Compilation albums

Raw Energy
Type:Compilation album
Artist:Various Artists
Released:1993
Genre:Alternative rock
Label:Raw Energy Records
Italic Title:no

In 1993, Raw Energy released its first compilation, simply titled Raw Energy. Because of the cartoon drawing used on the cover, it quickly took on the name On the Road within the hardcore community. Raw Energy played on this to release a series of "On the Road" compilations, featuring unsigned and emerging Canadian punk, hardcore and alternative rock bands du jour. Some would end up signing with Raw Energy.

The series of "On the Road" compilations includes:

Other compilations include Twentybandcomp, co-released with Shock Records in Australia.

Track listing

  1. The Dinner Is Ruined, "Stuck Pig"
  2. Groovy Religion, "Wanda"
  3. hHead, "Collide"
  4. King Cobb Steelie, "One's a Heifer"
  5. The Imagineers, "This is Nevada Calling"
  6. Jale, "I Lied"
  7. Cottage Industry, "Theme from Superstar"
  8. Yeti, "The Crossing"
  9. Wooden Stars, "Hate Everyone"
  10. Wining Dining and Drilling, "Captain's a Wreck"
  11. Deadbeat Backbone, "Til I'm Gone"
  12. Eric's Trip, "Understanding"
  13. Change of Heart, "Stress Monkey"

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Toronto Label Taps Raw Energy". Billboard, May 7, 1994.
  2. Web site: Raw Energy . 2023-01-06 . Discogs . en.