Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and 2006

Posted pre-2010

Kate Hiltz

(Chunksaah)

Quick Links: Bridge 9 | Chunksaah | Deathwish | Deranged | Escapist | Iron Pier | Lifeline | Magic Bullet | Painkiller | Profound Lore | Revelation | Rivalry | Southern Lord | This Blessing, This Curse | 12 Gauge | Young Blood

SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?

You cant ask someone who runs a label to pick favorites!! Its like asking which one of your children you like best. Even if you have a favorite, you have to keep your mouth shut or they will start fighting!

SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)

2006 was all about The Bouncing Souls The Gold Record for me. The year started with the band living at my house for a few weeks writing and doing pre-production...and then the recording process and setting up the release and tours and plans...it was pretty consuming...its amazing i had time to put out any records on Chunksaah this year as the band really took up so much of my time and energy.

SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?

The music industry as a whole is in pretty shaky conditions these days...there is really no middle class anymore and its hard to see what will happen. Right now it seems pretty grim for a lot of indies...no one is buying records (save a few smash hits) and everyone is downloading..or the market is just so saturated that you cant even get the information out there. Chunksaah itself has adjusted to this by focusing a little more on the local scene, meaning working with bands from the area who have relevant and amazing music and the determination to spread it in the world even though its often really hard and they are all broke from it. But we have the advantage that we are not trying to make money (not that we are trying to lose money...but no one depends on the label for money, we just hope we can keep it going and put out some good things...) so we can take chances like that.

SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)

  1. Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
  2. Dead To Me - Cuban Ballerina
  3. The Draft - In A Million Pieces
  4. Fucked Up - Hidden World
  5. The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (technically not on my label..hah)

SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?

I am simply not that organized. I have no idea what will turn up next!

SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?

Survival of the working middle class!

SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (and more if you want))?

Bigger bands getting bigger, bigger shows getting bigger. Struggling bands and labels and venues struggling. A revival of the basement scene!

Chunksaah releases of 2006

  • Mike Cavallaro - "66 Thousand Miles Per Hour" #3 (Graphic novel)
  • The World/Inferno Friendship Society - Red-Eyed Soul
  • The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (Picture disc vinyl)
  • Spanish Bombs - Spanish Bombs EP
  • Static Radio NJ - One For The Good Guys 7"

— words by the SPB team

Related features

Mike Huguenor

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • July 8, 2025

Mike Huguenor Tell us about the primary guitars you used making Surfing the Web with the Alien? Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2025)

Music • July 6, 2025

We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music we've enjoyed most in 2025 thus far. Read on to hear about the records that have made our top list for this year as it stands, and also some bonus … Read more

Shane Herrell: A Tribute

Music • July 6, 2025

Shane Herrell: Rest In Power(pop) (1980-2025) The Rocker I try to live my life with as few regrets as possible. Sadly I never got the chance to hear my friend Shane Herrell karaoke Thin Lizzy’s "The Rocker." As a singing bass player we don’t have enough heroes. It might just … Read more

Unseemlier

One Question Interviews • June 27, 2025

Mike Assatly (Unseemlier - guitar/vocals) SPB: Do you have a preferred model of van for touring? Assatly: Chevy G-20 Gladiator! It was my first van, I got it from my uncle with 115,000 on it. He got rid of it for a new van because it was "old" and would … Read more

Dollar Store

One Question Interviews • June 26, 2025

Dave Slaverave (Dollar Store - bass) SPB: This band hits a lot of styles, all kind of overlapping at the same time. How hard was it to find “your sound” when bringing these influences together? Slaverave: Not very hard at all actually. We're all old-ass adults who've soaked in a … Read more

More from this section

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2025)

Music • July 6, 2025

We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music we've enjoyed most in 2025 thus far. Read on to hear about the records that have made our top list for this year as it stands, and also some bonus … Read more

Shane Herrell: A Tribute

Music • July 6, 2025

Shane Herrell: Rest In Power(pop) (1980-2025) The Rocker I try to live my life with as few regrets as possible. Sadly I never got the chance to hear my friend Shane Herrell karaoke Thin Lizzy’s "The Rocker." As a singing bass player we don’t have enough heroes. It might just … Read more

Caterwaul 2025

Music • May 13, 2025

Each year in late May, the 4-day party and noise-rock festival Caterwaul takes over multiple venues in Minneapolis. It’s a stacked lineup this year, to put it mildly, with each night’s headliners FACS, Young Widows, Naw, Pissed Jeans, and Uniform -- and that’s leaving a ton of other great bands … Read more