Tag Archives: mass media records

Valentine’s

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It’s been so long since I’ve had a blog post. I have been so busy with life, children, taking time for self care, you know the usual. Anyway, enough with that. Lets get on to cool stuff. Our friend Robert Sullen is hosting another year of San La Muerte fest. Sadly, we were not able to attend last year or the year before but we are planning to go this year. One of the reasons I love going is because it’s like a little getaway for us, also we love Texas especially San Antonio. This year it will be held again in Austin. WHY? I’m really not a fan of Austin anymore, it’s so congested and busy but I will manage. San Antonio is super mellow, I believe the city motto is Keep San Antonio Lame. I really like that motto, I’ve always been the underdog and never the popular person, so I feel like I fit in more with San Antonio, I digress.

So far Ana Curra and The Vanishing have been announced to play SLM2020. Also, Virtigo from Santa Ana will be DJ’ing the event, so we need to represent.

I’ve seen The Vanishing many times, I have been going to shows for what seems like forever, they were very popular here during the white belt phase of the Locust. I seriously remember them being kind of wacky dark.

Go to http://www.sanlamuertefest.com to purchase tickets.

I also wanted to take this moment to talk about Annex from RGV Texas, I really feel a kindred spirit with Nikole from Annex / Her Corrosion. I was so excited when I heard that they started playing again after a bit of a hiatus. They even went on a little tour and played a last minute show at Johnny Germ’s house in Santa Ana. I was so glad I got to go, because it’s very hard for me to get a sitter around here. Anyway, they were amazing they were actually better than they were before and they were already great!

Also Nikole has brought back Her Corrosion zine in printed format which is amazing! I love stuff so it’s great to be able to have something tangible in your hands to look at rather just on our computers and phones.

You can order Her Corrosion here https://hercorrosion.weebly.com Nikole is currently working on issue #2.

Ok so now with some news about the label and what’s going on. I have taken a lengthy break from releasing records. It’s been very nice and stress free. What people don’t talk about publicly about doing a small DIY label as that it is a labor of love and there is NO money to be made at all, you don’t even break even. It’s just something you do because you love the music and you want to be supportive. As I’ve taken this break I have seen so many of my label friends also stop releasing records. I think it’s due to a number of factors. One being record store day really screwed things up for small labels, the plants put our releases on the back burner for extremely long completion times, this led to bands getting frustrated and releases being released through online formats or tapes and that just really has an impact on the demand for the vinyl release. I also think that not many people are buying records as much as they did in the past. I know this to be true as I was a big time record collector bordering on hoarder. I remember years ago going to a PCH records swap and spending $1000 in an afternoon, I mean I buy records just not as much. I think we have changed how we consume music, I spend time in the gym desperately trying to lose my baby weight listening to music on my headphones. When I am at home I am listening to people’s spotify playlists and working or gardening. Mostly just dancing along to https://www.instagram.com/aranivah

So with all that said I don’t see myself releasing records in a vinyl format for the time being. I think that bands should release their own material in vinyl format if they truly want to have a release. You get to invest in it and then tour on it and it just seems like a better way to distribute records. When people go to shows they want to be supportive they want to have a souvenir from the show so they are more prone to buy your record right there. Anyway, this is super nerd record stuff that is not that interesting to many people. I still plan on keeping the website and picking up releases from bands and labels I love to distribute and also still sell the releases I have in stock. http://massmediarecords.bigcartel.com I also plan on offering free domestic shipping on all items.

Oh and one last thing I came across Obscura Undead on instagram. I really like what these ladies are doing. Check them out https://youtu.be/t6C2WrN963g

That’s about it for now. I plan to be more active on this more. Hope everyone has a super Valentine’s Day! Keep Goth Cool!

Winter 2016

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Hey everyone, We are back after our annual fall hiatus.  We will be moving away from facebook as it really does not serve us too well, with reach becoming less and less due to their every changing platform.  So please check back here often.  Anyway, enough of that boring nonsense, on to some news. Our good friend Rik that runs Nothing but a Nightmare (shop) will be taking over a lot of the label work for us.  He runs a small shop and label himself and also has made his space available for touring bands to play small intimate shows. Also our bigcartel shop will have some updates and new products, as some of you may know or not know we used to run a small shop in Costa Mesa/Santa Ana and we have tons of merch from our shop still that we are working on listing. (jewelry, zines, clothes, patches, pins, records)

As some of you may or may not know MOTH has officially split up.  We were so lucky enough to be able to see their only US show in Texas at SLM2016.  I must say that everything about that band is magical and beautiful, their music, the people, just everything.  We are so honored to have been able to release their music and in some small way be part of their magic. The members of MOTH are just so incredibly talented and really are very influential to us.  They released so many hits in my humble opinion, they were so driven and active in their process that just amazed me every time  they released something new.  The members of MOTH have gone on of course to continue in new bands and write new music so I expect more great things to come from all of them.

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MOTH photo by Robert SLM 2016 – Punkitos Photos

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MOTH photo by Vivre at Ungdomshuset.

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MOTH photo by Ina Noire

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MOTH at Nothing Nice to Say Fest 2016

Also MOTH has a new and final new release out, it’s a split with Kold Front (featuring members of Metro Cult) you can purchase it here http://elektriskeplader.com/shop/

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MOTH / Kold Front split

We also have just a very few copies left of the MOTH / Prison split EP which is up in our webshop now.  Pressing was limited to 150 copies on colored vinyl with screen printed covers.  Available here : http://massmediarecords.bigcartel.com/product/moth-prison-split-ep

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MOTH / Prison split EP

That concludes our update.  Big hugs and kisses to MOTH!  xoxo

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MOTH enamel pin

 

 

 

Masses North American tour & LP release

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Masses from Melbourne, Australia have released their debut LP and are planning a North American tour in support of their release.  The LP is a cooperative release by both Mass Media Records and Lost in Fog Records in Australia.  Both labels are run by women which is a huge undertaking in and of itself.  Lost in Fog is ran by Tessa who also slays in Masses!  So like support us!

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The album maintains the bands anxious goth post-punk style from earlier releases, this time utilizing more duel vocals from both guitarist James and synth player Nellie. MOLOCH explores both the driving anarcho sounds and politically motivated themes reminiscent of bands such as The Mob, whilst also delving into more emotive and dancey goth and post punk inspired tracks drawing from bands such as The Creatures and Lost Tribe.  In my opinion if those two bands got married and had a baby it would be Masses.  I’m a weirdo though, so you’ll have to listen for yourself…

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To purchase the LP go here: http://massmediarecords.bigcartel.com/product/masses-moloch-lp-pre-order

The LP is available to be purchased on it’s own or as a set with a limited edition Masses enamel pin (limited quantities available).  Seriously I don’t have many of these left.. I’ll be posting Masses logo earrings soon as well!

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To purchase the enamel pin go here: http://massmediarecords.bigcartel.com/product/masses-enamel-lapel-pin

Masses will embark on a North American tour in July 2016 and end at San La Muerte fest in San Antonio, Tx. (Only Texas date)

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“Hidden” track of Moloch LP, see I told you… The Creatures meet Lost Tribe. xoxo

 

Mass Media Zine Cast interview with Cait Autonomy

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It’s been super crazy around here the past few weeks.  We’ve got some amazing new releases out Altar De Fey LP, Totenwald 12″, Private Pact LP, Masses LP, and Silent Scream LP.  We are also working hard on coordinating the SLM artshow / pre-party with the wonderful Cait Autonomy.  For those of you who do not know her she is like the sweetest person ever, so be her friend already.  We have played in bands with Cait…  Resist ad Exist //  Autonomy (CA) // Weekend Warrior.   We’ve traveled and toured with her and she is our family.  So support her and buy her art.

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Resist and Exist 2007

We would like to thank the Belfry Network for hosting our interview, please go and check out their other podcasts as well, you’ll like them!

So as many of you know Cait is an amazing artist, she does a lot of work for Mass Media… flyers, posters, merch, etc. She did art for a limited edition tote bag for her label Punk Ritual that can be purchased here: http://massmediarecords.bigcartel.com/product/punk-ritual-tote-bag-illustrated-by-cait-a

Continue reading →

Mass Media Zine Cast interview with Robert Sullen for SLM 2016

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Hey Everyone… Here is our first ever Mass Media Records Zine Cast, featuring the radical Robert Sullen curator and host for San La Muerte fest, August 4th-6th 2016 in San Antonio, Tx.

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Robert Sullen curator/host of San La Muerte Fest.

Listen to full interview here:

Robert is also a world traveler, musician, and photographer, he will be exhibiting his photos at the artshow pre-party for San La Muerte Fest 2016.  He is also the drummer to Christ vs. Warhol. Continue reading →

Sierpien “Zawsze Nasze” LP Mass Media Records 2015

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Sierpien’s LP actually came out in late December 2014, but didn’t officially release til after the new year in January 2015.  I’m not sure where to really begin with Sierpien, as this band started out as a two man project with Artem being the driving force behind almost all of the music and vision for where the band is today. First off, Sierpien are from Moscow, Russia, however their name Sierpien is Polish meaning “August”. They are heavily influenced by Zimna Fala (Polish Coldwave), it’s really undeniable how incredibly transcending this album is, as this record could easily pass for a record that came out in the 1980’s.  For me it’s just brilliant, it’s dark, cold, danceable, and Russian!

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Sierpien “Zawsze Nasze” LP limited red vinyl.

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Artem of Sierpien

 

The LP was limited to a US pressing of 300 on Mass Media Records, and has also been pressed in Europe on cassette and CD format.  This record would go on and be touted by Maximum Rock n Roll as a contender for “Record of the Year” and top tens in MRR as well as having an interview published in said zine.  Sierpien would begin to play as a full lineup and tour in Europe in 2015.  They also released a split tape with Salome’s Dance on Occult Whispers.  You can order a copy HERE!

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Sierpien / Salome’s Dance split tape

Sierpien is a very underrated band and I’m still waiting for people to discover how amazing they are.  Imagine if The Mob, Crisis, and Sikiera made a baby they would name it Sierpien.  Anarcho punks and peace punks should be all into them.  Sierpien’s lyrics are in Russian and the nature of the lyrics are political in nature.  It makes for the perfect positive punk record to come out in a very very long time. This is one of those records I was waiting for in the late 90’s and early 2000’s when bands were just pumping out crust, grind, and pizza thrash.  I couldn’t understand why peace punk just went away.  Finally, we started to see a small resurgence with bands like OK?, Vivid Sekt, and Arctic Flowers and then would come the “post punk” explosion in the punk scene.  It would take a few more years but finally Sierpien were born!

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One important fact I must say about Sierpien is in regards to Artem the lead vocalist.  His vocals are on point, dark and yearning, you just can’t go wrong.  Artem is also one of the most knowledgeable people regarding Zimna Fala and Eastern European post punk.  He’s a genius!  The LP was streamed and reviewed on Cvlt Nation and included a very in depth interview with Artem regarding the band and the current state of Russian and Ukrainian conflict. You can Read it HERE

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Artem from Sierpien wearing the most awesome Cemetery shirt with artwork by Sam Nigrosh of Cemetery.

Sierpien are still playing and have released an EP and a split with Kandahar from Poland. They just finished recording their second LP and are currently looking for a label to release it.  We can’t wait to hear it and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!

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You can contact Sierpien HERE

You can buy Sierpien’s LP “Zawsze Nasze” HERE

We are also running a special bundle set for both Masquerade 12″ and Sierpien LP since it’s winter and both bands feel wintery to me.  You can BUY THEM BOTH HERE

Next up MOTH… to be continued….

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year! Release schedule countdown 2015!

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We’ve decided to do a release schedule countdown for all the releases that came out in 2015 on Mass Media.  Some releases are still available while others are sold out, nevertheless they all have a special place in our hearts.

Masquerade “Blood is the New Black” 12″  officially released around the 1st of the year 2015.

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Photo by our friend David of Transylvanian Flag

Masquerade “Blood is the New Black” 12″ – Masquerade are from Helsinki, Finland they had released a demo in the summer of 2013 that was highly sought after and received some acclaim in modern deathrock circles.  We were super excited to hear new recordings by Masquerade and most people had thought that they had broken up since they went through multiple lineup changes as the lead singer Suzi became known as difficult.  We were happy to hear that they indeed continued on and had what we thought was a great follow up to their demo.  The production value and aesthetic were on point and with Suzi working hard at maintaining a solid lineup and continually touring throughout Europe and eventually the US in late August 2015.

Official music video for “Needle Through a Bug” off their Demo.

Official Music Video for “All Things Hurt” off Blood is the New Black 12″

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Masquerade live in Wroclaw, Poland at Return to the Batcave Festival 2015

For me Suzi is Masquerade she commands an audience similarly to Siouxsie Sioux, the same moves, vocal abilities, and fashion.  Masquerade is no doubt informed by the Banshees and that is exactly what I love about them.  It’s like if the Banshees made a new record and that is precisely why I love this record so much.  It’s also probably why some people don’t like this record or are critical about it.

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Masquerade live in St. Petersburg, Russian 2015

As noted Masquerade toured the Western US in August 2015, they were supposed to play San La Muerte Fest in San Antonio, Tx. and decided not to for logistic purposes.  That was a real shame because they would have been a great fit and the shows that they did play in California were poorly attended unfortunately.  Years ago if a band from Finland was touring the show would have undoubtedly been packed because it was a touring band from Finland.  That’s just not the case anymore, it’s becoming harder and harder to get people to come out to shows, it’s like the movement has gone back to it’s infancy.

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Suzi of Masquerade / Virgin in Veil 2015

The “Blood is the New Black” 12″ was released in Finland on Fight Records and in the US on Mass Media Records.  Limited red vinyl is only available for the US version.   It can be ordered direct through us HERE

Masquerade are still playing and have just finished working on a follow up to the “Blood is the New Black” 12″.  Their new release will be released in Finland on Fight Records and they are currently looking for a US label to release it here as well, so contact them if you want to release it.  Here is the official video for “Panic Paranoia” off their upcoming release in 2016.

You can follow Suzi on TUMBLR HERE

You can follow and contact Masquerade on  Facebook HERE

You can buy Masquerade’s  “Blood is the new Black” 12″ HERE

Next up Sierpien to be continued…