When and why did you start Holy Roar Records? And where does the name come from?
I recently did a small interview/bio and totally made up the answer to this question, based upon our (false) wikipedia because it was far more amusing. The TRUE FACTS though are that the idea was born at the beginning of 2006 when I moved to London. I had previously done 3 releases under the banner of ‘thecommunion.co.uk/records’ with a couple of friends when I lived in Birmingham and I think that might have given me the bug as such. But the real impetus was that I felt there were UK bands under-represented and that there was not enough UK labels putting effort into packaging and presentation.
The name comes from trawling through my record collection and looking at songtitles. Luckily ‘Holy Roar’ was a Torche songtitle, so I stole from the best.
What was the labels first release and how did you get involved with it?
We did 3 at the same time to start. Which probably wasn’t the best idea, but the accidental ‘spread-betting’ seemed to work. We did a split 12” between Kayo Dot and Bloody Panda, which probably still stands as our weirdest release. That gained us some early kudos and sold out eventually. We also did ‘Raise The Bullshit Flag’ - an album by Phoenix Bodies, which flopped badly but is still one of my favourite releases we have done. Grindy-punk-violence. Finally we did the debut CDEP by Rolo Tomassi - they had done a tape ep, a split 7” and a demo before this ep, but seemingly it was this EP that really allowed Rolo Tomassi to take off.
I got involved with these releases purely by emailing the American bands (or in the case of Bloody Panda - them emailing me after seeing on my old webzine ‘thecommunion.co.uk’ that I was listening to their demo, which in turn I picked up on a complete whim in a record store in New York). In the case of Rolo Tomassi, they played in my front room in Birmingham for their 4th ever show and was blown away and stayed in touch and it grew organically from that.
Holy Roar is known for being a launch pad for many successful bands like Gallows, Rolo Tomassi and The Ghost Of A Thousand. How do you feel about this?
Well, with Rolo Tomassi, we certainly were the launch pad. With the other acts you mention, along with Trash Talk, Pulled Apart By Horses, Touche Amore, Make Do And Mend and a few others it has just been a special limited one-off release that is fun for both parties. So I feel very very proud of Rolo Tomassi and what we did with Throats. With the others - its just fun and cool to do I think! It might also make people think we are bigger than we are, and open doors for us to people who would not normally check us out, which cant be a bad thing.
How do you decide who you work with and what you put out?
It’s completely different with every release in all honesty. Some small, limited releases I do purely for the fun of it down to my own taste, regardless of whether the band tour or do much. With albums and bigger projects then its down to my personal taste AND we need to know the band aren’t about to split up, will play as many shows as possible and are driven to promote their band in every way they can.
You have co-released albums with Tangled Talk Records. Whats you’re relationship with TT like? and have you worked with any other labels?
It’s brilliant with TT, Andrej knows what he is doing and is a good dude. It couldn’t be easier with him. I’ve also co-released with a bunch of other labels, Dog Knights is a good one for example, as is Topshelf in America, and it’s usually a good experience that might get the record out to different people, but sometimes it can be a case of ‘too many cooks’ and it can become a mess. There also some bitchy people out there running labels who like to try and get one over each other. Not cool. We are in this together now more than ever.
What is you’re favorite format and why? How do you feel about the popularity of Vinyl?
Vinyl is my favourite. It sounds warmer and more bassy. You can also do ridiculous things with vinyl that look incredible - colours, etchings, weird packaging, weird sizes and shapes etc etc - it’s very versatile. I feel very happy about the popularity of vinyl right now, apart from when I have to carry sacks of LPs to the post office.
What upcoming releases are out soon/planned?
Run, Walk/Sirs split 7” is out October 10th and that’s a split release with Topshelf Records, Witch Cult 12” is out Oct 31st - Halloween obviously! Then we have Daggers ‘Euphoria’ album in November, and Goodtime Boys ep reissue with bonus tracks late Nov/Early Dec. Then the Last Witness and Crocus albums early next year! There’s plenty planned beyond that too!
What bands would you like to work with that you haven’t already?
Soundgarden and Korn (early recordings only with Korn). Oh and in all seriousness - Gaza. They are the best band.
What future plans are there for Holy Roar?
To carry on trying to achieve a more global view, carry on growing organically and carry on releasing and supporting great new music. We are also a key part of the Pink Mist collective (Holy Roar/Big Scary Monsters/Blood and Biscuits) and there are some seriously exciting plans there!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Support new young labels that are doing things properly, ignore fads and hype, listen to what you want and don’t over-subscribe to fashions and scenes. Listen to everything that is good - not just what is accepted by one small cultural grouping.
Check out Holy Roar here: http://holyroarrecords.com/
