CRASIER FRANE: Interview with Brandon from No Way Records

Can you start out by giving me a time line of No Way Records?

We started a few years back when we got some killer tax returns from working at the local pizzeria. Started with the Government Warning No Way Out EP and we've done almost 35 more releases since then. Great times. Done two No Way Fests, and sold about 25000-30000 Records so far. Pretty good for two dumbasses.

What made you want to start it?

Lauren and I started it like I said when we got those killer tax returns. I had always blown mine on stuff like amps, rare records, drums, cymbals. Finally, we got our tax returns. Lauren said she wanted to be a part of something. Government Warning had just recorded their first EP and we were thinking of labels to put it out. I got it. "Let's do it." the rest is history.

When did you start getting involved with bands outside of the United States?

Very early on. Direct Control went to Europe and I heard the Blinds demo and I told those kids I'd like for us to release it over here. They were down, and since then we've done a bunch of other european stuff like Insomnio, Citizens Patrol, Hjertestop.

Do you have a favourite release you've put out?

I like everything we've done and i stand behind it all strongly. I'd say top 3 would be Double Negative LP, Unseen Force LP, and Honor Role EP.

How did you get involved with the Verbal Abuse reissue?

Ummmm, funny I hung out with Nicki Sicki all night one night on the west coast with Direct Control. I think and we partied all night and then the next day he was like, "You wanna re-issue the VA LP?" I called Lauren immediately with the news. Sold 2000 copies of that thus far. Need to press up more at some point.

Do you ever run into legal problems?

Like what? Knock on wood.

How come the very first thing you put out still hasn't sold out?

Because that EP sells faster than new releases. 4500 so far. Fucking insane. We're going to 5000 and that's it. Most of our other records only sell 1500-2000 tops.

What do you see for your label in the future?

More new bands records, more reissues, more hardcore punk the way it should be. Fun.

What are your release plans?

We've got 4 new releases coming out like right around now: No System - Dead Bands Tell No Tales ep (85 Boston HC with Al Quint on Vox and PTL Klub playing the music), Hjertestop - Vi Ses I Helvede LP (Great danish HC punk with that's very catchy), Human Mess - LP (Trashy HC punk, nasty as all hell), Insomnio - Happy Loneliness LP (Great Radio Birdman meets Wipers but Spanish Punk HC)

Do you have a kind of dream release you'd like to put out?

Not really. Most of my dreams have come true. I need to think of some new ones. I'd like to release some more classic '83 US hardcore, like CIA or Patriots or something.