Amphetamine Reptile Records

Amphetamine Reptile Records
Founded1986 (1986)
FounderTom Hazelmyer
Distributor(s)Twin/Tone Records
GenreNoise rock
Country of originU.S.
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota
Official websiteshoxop.com

Amphetamine Reptile Records (or AmRep Industries) is a record label[1] founded in 1986 by Tom Hazelmyer in Washington state. The label specializes in noise rock and also released Strap It On, the debut album by alternative metal band Helmet which sold more than 40,000 records. According to Hazelmyer, the success of the album was vital to keeping AmRep going throughout the 1990s, as it "helped support the other things that sold less."[2] The label was the subject of the 2015 documentary The Color of Noise.[3]

History

Hazelmyer originally started the label to release records by his band, Halo of Flies. Eventually the label's roster expanded to include releases by Helmet, Melvins, Cows, Helios Creed, Chokebore, Servotron and others. Hazelmyer later moved the label to Minneapolis. Today the label is used by the Melvins, H•O•F and other legacy AmRep acts to release limited edition vinyl. These releases are generally noted for their Linocut artwork,[4] hand carved by Hazelmyer, their limited availability and their highly sought after nature as collector's items.

Much of the AmRep back catalog is now out of print, although many of the releases are available in digital download format and streaming.[5]

On May 13, 2020 Tom Hazelmyer participated in an in-depth interview about the label on Conan Neutron's Protonic Reversal.[6]

Artists

Notable performances

  • Cosmic Psychos / Hammerhead / Surgery / Cows / Melvins / Helmet - the CMJ / Amphetamine Reptile Tour - Friday, October 30, 1992, at The Ritz

Discography

Main article: Amphetamine Reptile Records discography

See also

References

  1. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (October 3, 2005). "A new Atmosphere for local music label". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  2. ^ Clark, Rick (25 February 1995), "Give Them One Good Region: Local Labels Congregate In Cities Where Talent Gathers", Billboard, p. 114, retrieved 19 April 2015
  3. ^ "Amphetamine Reptile Records Documentary The Color Of Noise". mxdwn.com. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Amphetamine Reptile's Tom Hazelmyer: The Cream Interview". nashvillescene. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  5. ^ Tom Hazelmyer interview on MarkPrindle.com. 2005.
  6. ^ "Protonic Reversal Ep169: Tom Hazelmyer (Amphetamine Reptile)". protonicreversal.com. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.