Jun 16, 2025
Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz discusses rare records, early Bad Religion releases, the lasting impact of "Suffer", format transitions, and staying relevant through punk's evolution and vinyl's revival.
Topics Include:
- Brett's first record: Cosmo's Factory at age 9-10
- Lost entire record collection after breakup with Susie Shaw
- Greg Shaw's legendary garage rock collection inspired young Brett
- Vinyl revival surprised Brett after seeing format cycles
- Started Epitaph shipping vinyl from West Beach closet
- CD controversy: expensive, poor sound quality initially
- Made three formats: vinyl, cassette, CD for releases
- Vinyl nearly died in late 90s, warehouse troubles
- COVID lockdown sparked massive vinyl sales resurgence
- Indie artists need vinyl for merch booths
- Color variants important for hardcore collecting communities
- Epitaph's mission: help artists, don't make records ourselves
- Started Bad Religion at 17, Greg/Jay were 15
- No label knowledge, just entrepreneurial punk rock spirit
- Dad lent $1500, found Alberti pressing plant
- First 7-inch had skipping error, different pressings exist
- Rodney on ROQ played cassette before vinyl
- Fan mail arrived from Europe surprisingly early
- "Into the Unknown" prog disaster: 11,000 returns somehow
- Took day job selling gay disco imports
- Learned recording at University of Sound Arts
- Started West Beach studio in Pacifica's back closet
- Cocaine-fueled 80s work schedule: three jobs simultaneously
- "Suffer" recorded in seven days, transcendent experience
- Eddie Schreier at Capitol gave Brett confidence boost
- "Suffer" sound attracted top punk bands to studio
- Signed NOFX, Offspring through West Beach connections
- California harmonies influenced by Adolescents, Beach Boys
- "Beginner's mind" philosophy keeps Epitaph current today
- Authenticity and youth create that rock miracle
Enter to win a record from us to celebrate Ep500
High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8