What is Thorp's reputation?

BDx13 - 2-7-2005 at 01:23 AM

While I'd be interested in hearing your personal opinion on this one, I'm really looking for input on what you think the average-kid-in-the-scene's impression of Thorp Records is.

I'm old, and don't get out much, so I don't know what the kids think of us. All I know is that I work hard at doing what I do, and supporting Andy as he pushes the direction of this label.

See, I think back to the days when Revelation, Victory, SubPop and others were so consistent with the quality of their releases, that you didn't even need to hear them before you bought them. Of course, other labels had horrible reputations - delayed ship dates, not paying bands, etc.

So, what's the word on the street about Thorp Records? Good and bad. Just curious.

SAAAAARS - 2-7-2005 at 02:08 AM

words from kids mouths:
"it's coming out on thorp, it'll be quality"

ENDERA.x - 2-7-2005 at 02:25 AM

word. ^^^ what he said is true

and sign pray for death
http://www.myspace.com/pray4death fuck they are good

brooklyn - 2-7-2005 at 03:28 AM

Duane,
I've heard mainly positive comments in the vein of "trsutworthy", "professional", "good offerings",... some people feel the selection is too wide but I find that a stupid idea as it gives choices and you discover other bands like that. I don't like labels which just carry one very little subsection of the scene.
I like that MP3s are being put up of every band on the roaster. It helps. That's how I discovered The New Breed and 2 Minutes Hate for instance.
I also think that Thorp has maybe taken the position that Victory had in its early days. Now Victory has gone a bit too much into the oblivion of what is so called (although i hate labels) "post HC / screamo bands".

And ofcoure everybody will have his/her own opinion about it's better to sighn that band than that band or why this one and not the other one. hey, but that's why we have all our own tastes.

By the way, as you did with Paint The Town Red, I think it's a good idea to open up for European bands. Check out maybe Permanent Style from Austria, a good band with NY style HC. Maybe one of the most promising new European bands around.

Anyway, keep it up!
respect!

GabeTexasGAMC - 2-7-2005 at 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brooklyn
Duane,
I've heard mainly positive comments in the vein of "trsutworthy", "professional", "good offerings",... some people feel the selection is too wide but I find that a stupid idea as it gives choices and you discover other bands like that. I don't like labels which just carry one very little subsection of the scene.
I like that MP3s are being put up of every band on the roaster. It helps. That's how I discovered The New Breed and 2 Minutes Hate for instance.
I also think that Thorp has maybe taken the position that Victory had in its early days. Now Victory has gone a bit too much into the oblivion of what is so called (although i hate labels) "post HC / screamo bands".

And ofcoure everybody will have his/her own opinion about it's better to sighn that band than that band or why this one and not the other one. hey, but that's why we have all our own tastes.

By the way, as you did with Paint The Town Red, I think it's a good idea to open up for European bands. Check out maybe Permanent Style from Austria, a good band with NY style HC. Maybe one of the most promising new European bands around.

Anyway, keep it up!
respect!

what he said.

moron - 2-7-2005 at 10:44 AM

sometimes I'll say that such and such an album is coming out on Thorp, and I get the response.... "Never heard of that label". This is just the impression I get from kids on a few messageboards though. This then in turn leads to "(Band X) put out another album? I had no idea..."

I have no idea how a label can go and get word out to these kids, but I noticed that some people on a few message boards had no idea that the new Blood for Blood or the new Slapshot were coming out even though they say that theyre fans of those bands. It could be that those kids just dont read online zines or things like that... who knows.

I support Thorp though, and I always try to mention new releases to plenty of people.

Big Ugly - 2-7-2005 at 10:45 AM

Definately good. I remember around 96-99 I would've bought just about anything from Victory. Then they turned into a really shitty label. Thorp has now taken it's place. I know most things put out by Thorp are gonna be quality.

ENDERA.x - 2-7-2005 at 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GabeTexasGAMC

Quote:

what he said.

Yes.

Europe especially Germany, has some of the best hardcore bands in the world.
For example, Opposition of One.

JUICE MAYNE MSHC - 2-7-2005 at 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Duane
While I'd be interested in hearing your personal opinion on this one, I'm really looking for input on what you think the average-kid-in-the-scene's impression of Thorp Records is.

I'm old, and don't get out much, so I don't know what the kids think of us. All I know is that I work hard at doing what I do, and supporting Andy as he pushes the direction of this label.

See, I think back to the days when Revelation, Victory, SubPop and others were so consistent with the quality of their releases, that you didn't even need to hear them before you bought them. Of course, other labels had horrible reputations - delayed ship dates, not paying bands, etc.

So, what's the word on the street about Thorp Records? Good and bad. Just curious.

The only thing kids care about with labels is whether or not they have the bands they like. 5 minutes ago Bridge 9 had all the bands, right now it's Deathwish and Thorp. You have little to worry about right now because there's Madball, Blood For Blood, Slapshot, Ramallah, etc on the label. The best thing about Thorp though to me is the willingness to put out bands that are great but no one knows about like Pride Kills, Punishment, and my own band.

dgp - 2-7-2005 at 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moron
sometimes I'll say that such and such an album is coming out on Thorp, and I get the response.... "Never heard of that label". This is just the impression I get from kids on a few messageboards though. This then in turn leads to "(Band X) put out another album? I had no idea..."

i had a very similar conversation this past week.

also, when a thorp release comes up in conversation, it always morphs into someone asking me who runs thorp, to which i have no answer other than "the dude duane on their message board".

i think that people who are aware of thorp all agree that you put out some really great stuff. but there seems to be a larger group of people who are oblivious to any of these releases/the label itself.

ENDERA.x - 2-7-2005 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JUICE MAYNE MSHC
The best thing about Thorp though to me is the willingness to put out bands that are great but no one knows about like Pride Kills, Punishment, and my own band.

That is the best thing about Thorp.
Thorp actually seriously helps bands out!

MyOwnWay - 2-7-2005 at 05:39 PM

An overall view is that in my area (area of PA) Thorp doesn't have a strong presence. When mentioning Thorp they aren't familiar with the label. If someone has heard of Thorp its usually positive. Some of the negative I've heard is too much "metal" on the label. But I agree with Big Duane that I too was totally into Victory (and even Epitaph in the mid late 90s). I would buy just about any release with their emblem. Even Revelation in the early 90s spawned so many bands and (in my opinion) classic albums. But all three mentioned labels tried to diversify and I think they are getting stale from too much diversity. Sometimes diversity kills a label, its a hit or miss. But when sticking to a certain style you run the risk of not releasing anything really groundbreaking. I dont know its really tough to distinguish the two evils. Personaly, I've purchased Skare Tactic, Blood for Blood, Madball and Slapshot from Thorp. I'm just thankful those bands have a respectable home.

ManMadePsycho - 2-7-2005 at 07:01 PM

Some of my hardcore buddies know of ya, nothin but good comments.....But to be honest, when I say a bands on thorp...6 times outta 10 they never heard of ya.....As for my comments, I think you guys are great....keep up the good work...

Killthehumans - 2-7-2005 at 07:21 PM

I guess its good cause im fairly young and its pretty obvious that i like thorp enuff to post on the message boards

GOLD GRILL - 2-8-2005 at 07:06 AM

In my experience, Thorp has an excellent rep. Even when I played bass for Will To Live (4yrs ago now) I was very excited about Thorp. I mean, c'mon, they re-released Rykers; thats fucking hard, and Clenched Fist (BTW if you don't like that band you are deffinatley a fucking pussy). I am honored to be releasing an album on Thorp. Then again, I am from Texas, and we are the undisputed badasses of the world, so I have formed a biased opinion, to say the least. Hardcore rules. GABE

LilOz - 2-8-2005 at 08:33 AM

It is really hard to say anthing else because it has been pretty much covered by everyone else already.

People in the know of hardcore know that thorp is a quality label that I have talked to at least. One of my favorite labels.

Other than that kids that aren't huge hardcore fans trash thorp sometimes for bands like forever is forgotten and even awhile back some kid trashed thorp about out to win(mushmouth). It really varies though. It is a shame because thorp in my opinion is doing great things and has variety that I actually like.

RomanticViolence - 2-8-2005 at 12:15 PM

I think thorp is great

GabeTexasGAMC - 2-9-2005 at 02:05 AM

seriously thinking about it...
THORP IS HARDCORE.
thats as easy as it gets.
Thorp Records is all about Heart.
The passion that runs through all of us.
Hardcore.
Sure theres some metal, but hell, some people cant see it the way WE see it.
Thorp is family. Through and through.
Tell Andy I appreciate it.

Dave - 2-9-2005 at 09:51 AM

i feel lucky that we were able to have two releases on Thorp, and that Andy took the chance on us, when nobody else would. Its crazy to see how Thorp has grown by leaps and bounds since then. Hell all of us like hardcore and we're as far away from playing anything that sounds like hardcore.

Andy is a stand up guy, i remember awhile back (i think it was just before the 'off the beaten path CD' came out), me and Jonny were loading gear for a show, and he gets a call on his cell phone, it's Andy, he called to tell him something, that to me what gives Thorp the 'family feel'. This messageboard is the same way, i haven't seen too many labels that even have a messageboard section, and to have one like this, is even rarer. keep up the good work Duane.

GabeTexasGAMC - 2-9-2005 at 01:44 PM

so in a couple of words... Thorp is the shit.

moron - 2-9-2005 at 01:59 PM

apparently I work for Thorp, so yeah... the label rules. I wish Andy would post here once in a while again just to say hi.

Newt80 - 2-9-2005 at 02:02 PM

yo Big Duane, where i'm from there is no scene, it's just a bunch of fashion-core pieces of shit running around trying to get girls. yeah a small town in georgia, go figure.

so a lot of these aforementioned tools probably haven't heard thorp, which is sad because they could use a good kick to their heads. most of them like more "metalcore" or "emocore" bs. don't get me wrong, i'm open-minded as hell, i can throw on B4B, Nina Simone & the Smiths back to back anyday...but in the end it's all about heart, and that's what this label has to me, you guys are real.

and plus you have a band called Striking Distance, how cool is that?

GabeTexasGAMC - 2-9-2005 at 02:06 PM

just thinking... if you have a shitty scene... why not try to make it awesome. book some bands, that arent metalcore, and get sit going. fuck it house parties! get the tough guy ball rollin!

clevohardcore - 2-9-2005 at 04:55 PM

I'm old 28 and out of the loop too so my opinon does not matter too much but I still buy music and go to shows. My friends/ bandmembers and I have both dropped some references as Thorp being the "IT" label in the past. Esp. when you released Blood for blood and Madball. It's like your as "red hot" as VICTORY back in the day. However your more professional and slick. Not as homegrown or weak. This is not a diss at all. It's a good thing. Just don't become PROFILE/another planet records and well you know.

Good luck to all you do and keep the REAL hardcore bands touring.

JawnDiablo - 1-11-2007 at 12:07 PM

word is good on my street

word
word
word
peace

CR83 - 1-11-2007 at 02:50 PM

From Brooklyn Above:

some people feel the selection is too wide but I find that a stupid idea as it gives choices and you discover other bands like that.

I don't like labels which just carry one very little subsection of the scene.
I like that MP3s are being put up of every band on the roaster. It helps.

I also think that Thorp has maybe taken the position that Victory had in its early days.

My Two Cents:

I too would have bought almost anything off of Victory from 97 to 00. I like Thorp because it really seems that Andy helps the bands and works for them. Not the other way around.

I have no friends in HC, I'm not in a band and I'm 31 and maybe will go to one show a year. I'm totally out of it but when I do talk to people who share this interest, they are aware of the label and have positive things to say.

Siczine.com - 1-11-2007 at 07:12 PM

Every time I've ever dealt with Thorp it's always been a pleasant experience. Anyone that I know that knows the deal enjoys Thorp. Some don't enjoy every release because Thorp is pretty diverse, metal to punk and everything in between and not everyone can enjoy such fine releases like Sugar Daddie. I agree with a lot of the posts though, considering how many noteworthy bands that are on the tips of many people tongues, many people still forget about Thorp here and there, which is sad.

clevohardcore - 1-11-2007 at 11:28 PM

I am worried about THORP. I'll be honest. 2006 was a quiet year for the label. They ahd a couple releases but for the most part it was well......slow. I hoep things are cool and going well. I know the SGR label had some nice releases but what is up w/ THORP? If you need a A/R guy to go find talent set me up. I'd kick ass at that job and you know I'd bust ass.
Consider this my resume. I've been in sales all my life. I'd sell this label like it was VIRGIN RECORDS. We could smoke Cuban cigars and be millionaires after I helped make everyone at THORP including me of course rich.

Sincerely,

Clevomarty

Six66Mike - 1-12-2007 at 12:20 AM

A lot of people whine about the lack of vinyls, but these are dudes who rarely buy a CD or have a CD player. I guess if they are whining for vinyls, they like the releases.

Siczine.com - 1-12-2007 at 02:09 AM

There are already plenty of labels they deal strictly with vinyl, Thorp doesn't even need to consider putting out vinyl.

thedog - 1-13-2007 at 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevohardcore
2006 was a quiet year for the label. They ahd a couple releases but for the most part it was well......slow. I hoep things are cool and going well. I know the SGR label had some nice releases but what is up w/ THORP?

i was thinkin the same thing, it seemed like a quiet year for Thorp.
is everything cool with the label?
is there any big news in the works?

crazyfists28 - 1-13-2007 at 05:24 PM

sailors grave put out some great great stuff this year

necrobutcher - 1-13-2007 at 06:22 PM

I like it. I'm a big fan of the variation of bands. Lots of hardcore but also oi, punk and some psychobilly. I just got around to picking up Beaten By the Fists of God and I have to say it is fucking amazing. A little pissed at myself for waiting for so long but I'm used to anything dealing with live performances to be hard on the ears but the DVD delivered in spades.

moron - 1-13-2007 at 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thedog

Quote:

i was thinkin the same thing, it seemed like a quiet year for Thorp.
is everything cool with the label?
is there any big news in the works?

Thorp put out 8 albums this year. That doesn't seem to bad to me. Add to that all of the releases on Sailors Grave and that's a hell of a year! The last albums Thorp put out were in August, and it seems like they usually come out in bunches, so I have a hunch we'll be hearing about some new albums soon enough.

joemaconmovies - 1-13-2007 at 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thedog

Quote:

i was thinkin the same thing, it seemed like a quiet year for Thorp.
is everything cool with the label?
is there any big news in the works?

Thorp/SGR are pretty much the same label. Andy owns both so if SGR does good, Thorp does as well. Just my opinion.

BDx13 - 1-13-2007 at 08:29 PM

actually, there are a lot of very important differences between thorp and sgr, making them very much completely separate entities. in 06 Thorp put out 8 releases, which is slow for us, but not unusual for a label our size. but at the same time, sgr put out 11, and a number of those would have been on thorp had we not done sgr. so combined, it was a pretty busy year. andy yeah, we release albums in groups so as to maximize the advertising, marketing & pr budget.

joemaconmovies - 1-16-2007 at 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BD
actually, there are a lot of very important differences between thorp and sgr, making them very much completely separate entities. in 06 Thorp put out 8 releases, which is slow for us, but not unusual for a label our size. but at the same time, sgr put out 11, and a number of those would have been on thorp had we not done sgr. so combined, it was a pretty busy year. andy yeah, we release albums in groups so as to maximize the advertising, marketing & pr budget.

ah, i just figured that they were both kinda the same, almost like epitaph and hellcat, just diff. music.

you'd know much better then i though

Voodoobillyman - 1-16-2007 at 12:25 PM

Quote:

I figured SGR put out more than Thorp did because it was a freshly started label and needed to give a quick boost to it's catalog? Did creating SGR make it possible to put out any albums that would have been otherwise impossible to put out on the Thorp label?

joemaconmovies - 1-16-2007 at 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Voodoobillyman

Quote:

considering what's been released on SGR and what i just bought off of Thorp, i highly doubt that.