Skull Skates has finally started its own record label. The Skinny caught up with SS founder and figurehead PD to ask some questions about it.
Skinny: What gave you the idea to start a label?
PD: We have been talking about a Skull Skates record label for over 20 years and have finally gotten around to putting it together. Skull Skates has been closely associated with music since we first began back in 1978, we used to skate to see shows at the Smiling Buddha and various hall shows around Vancouver in the late 70's. We made skateboard decks for several bands in the 80's including Gang Green, Wasted Youth, the Vandals, Social Distortion and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. More recently we have made skate decks for the China Creeps, NOFX, Cokehead Hipsters, the Black Halos and SNFU. When we first started making band boards, the idea of releasing records was talked about but never acted on.

Skinny: Why the Sorcerers besides the fact that they rock?

PD: Everyone in the band skates!!! Sorcerers are amazing players with a sick knack for writing and performing original material, a great rhythm section and spaced-out guitar sounds fronted by a wild vocalist. From their first show we were hooked and we started talking about the possibility of working together. We are big fans of both reggae dub style and hardcore also, which drew us to them.

Skinny: Tell me a bit about the production. Is it vinyl?

PD: Yup, vinyl only. We have pledged to do no CD's whatsoever through the Skull Skates Recordings label. The Sorcerers run is only 300 copies and it turned out kick ass. Those guys did all their own recording and mixing in their own state-of-the-art studio built by them and we were very fortunate to connect with really high quality mastering and pressing out of the USA, the end result is a debut album for Sorcerers and Skull Skates that we are all very proud of.

Skinny: Are you going to do more?

PD: We are looking at an idea for a compilation album featuring all bands from Japan through our location there, which is very tied to the hardcore scene in Japan. We are also talking to various bands and individuals locally and internationally about both singles and lp projects for the future.

Skinny: Who is going to distribute it?

PD: Due to the limited nature of the pressing, it will be initially available through skullskates.com and skullskatesjapan.com from there we are talking to some local independent shops which will likely also stock it.

Skinny: What do you look for in a band to be worthy of your label?

PD: Sounds clichė, but originality tops the list, followed by just the overall feel of the material and whether it delivers the creative spark from the artist(s) to the audience. I think most of us know when we experience something of quality even though we my not be able to describe the specific elements of what comprises that quality.

Skinny: Where is the record release?

PD: The record release happens Friday, June 26th at 7pm at the China Creek skateboard park (skaters get first dibs on a listen of the album played at the park) followed by a live performance and art exhibit at 10pm located at 56 Powell St. in Gastown. Posted: Jun 22, 2009