It was 1988 when I first read about 415 Records on a foreign music magazine my friend bought back then. I found out that some of the great NEW WAVE acts I love were under this record label. 415 Records was the first North American Record Label devoted to New Wave which was founded by Howie Klein, Chris Knab and Butch Bridges in SAN FRANCISCO back in 1978. YUP!! It's AMERICAN New Wave!! I was able to buy this 1994 compilation CD entitled "THE BEST OF 415 RECORDS" which showcased Five of the Bands under the label namely WIRE TRAIN, ROMEO VOID, RED ROCKERS. TRANSLATOR, and UNTIL DECEMBER. Well, I have to feature this CD Until December if you get my drift. He He He!! As written on the back cover of my CD "Started on a lark, for fun, as a public service, 415 Records was named after the police code for disturbing the peace". Hmmmp? Very interesting don't you think? The label primarily featured punk and new wave music from San Francisco bands although as the label grew they signed bands from other cities as well. There were also a lot of Artists/Bands that were signed by 415 but we will just concentrate only on those who are featured here in this compilation CD. Four of the Five bands in this CD namely Wire Train, Romeo Void, Red Rockers, and Translator were all introduced here in MANILA by WXB 102 back in the 80s which became popular for PINOY NEW WAVERS and PUNKS as well. It's just unfortunate that the band "Until December" didn't made it big here in MANILA back on those days. According to founders Howie and Chris, the simple reason that these bands were signed under 415 Records is simply that both of them loved the band's music.
Here's a photo of my "THE BEST OF 415 RECORDS" CD.
Another "The Best Of The Greatest" blogpost as I promised before. 415 was also hindered by the same factors that affect most independent labels which is the difficulty of reaching a national audience. The 1982 Columbia affiliation changed the situation dramatically because Columbia used their marketing knowledge and established relationships with the media like radio and television which was a great medium of spreading the awareness regarding the record label itself and to bring forth 415 records to a much wider audience. Romeo Void has been singled out by critics and musicians as one of the seminal groups of the New Wave movement. Klein has quipped, referring to some of the less successful ventures, "Before the Columbia deal, we made records that cost $5,000 and sold 50,000 copies. After the Columbia deal, we made records that cost $50,000 and sold 5,000 copies." While reading through the inner sleeves of my CD, I was surprised that PINOY punk club "The Mabuhay Gardens" based on San Francisco was mentioned by Howie Klein in his story. YUP!! Howie saw "Romeo Void" performed live in "The Mabuhay Gardens" back on those days where the Pinoy Owner NESS AQUINO was auditioning new bands for the club. Wow!! PROUD TO BE PINOY!! I have mentioned "The Mabuhay Gardens" before on my special "DEAD KENNEDYS" blogpost here on my little blog wherein the band also performed on the club back then. Kabayans, I guess you better say "1-4-3-4-4". He He He!! Here in the Philippines "14344" correspond to the number of the letters on each word of "I Love You Very Much". Huh? Why did I include that in this 415 blogpost of mine? Ha ha ha!! Well, It's better than the classic "214" song of Rivermaya don't you think? Btw, this CD contains 17 tracks wherein 3 songs each from Wire Train, Romeo Void, and Red Rockers while 4 songs each from Translator and Until December. Another great compilation indeed!! So here it goes "The Best Of 415 Records"!!
I uploaded my CD just in case you wanna have a copy of this compilation. I also took photos of the inner booklet that included the pictures of the Five Bands featured in the CD. I also uploaded one song each from the band for you to listen to. ENJOY guys!!
THE BEST OF 415 RECORDS
TRACKLISTING:
WIRE TRAIN
1. Chamber of Hellos
2. With God on Our Side
3. She Comes On
LISTEN TO "She Comes On" by WIRE TRAIN:
ROMEO VOID
4. A Girl in Trouble
5. Never Say Never
6. Not Safe
RED ROCKERS
7. China
8. Guns of Revolution
9. Dead Heroes
LISTEN TO "Never Say Never" by ROMEO VOID:
LISTEN TO "Guns Of Revolution" by RED ROCKERS:
TRANSLATOR
10. Everywhere That I'm Not
11. When I Am with You
12. Everywhere
13. I Need You to Love
UNTIL DECEMBER
14. We Are the Boys
15. Until December
16. Geisha
17. Heaven
LISTEN TO "Everywhere That I'm Not" by TRANSLATOR:
LISTEN TO "We Are The Boys" by UNTIL DECEMBER:
DOWNLOAD "The Best Of 415 Records" CD Here:
PASSWORD: http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/
Here are some added Infos about the CD which is also included on my CD inner booklet that I wanna include here in my blogpost. I just wanna give credit to these guys too.
Compilation Producer: Don DeVito
Digitally Mastered by: Vic Anesini, Sony Music Studios, New York
Product Manager: Rita Cox
Design: Lisa Sparagano
Packaging Manager: Gina Campanaro
Cover Illustration: Frank Zincavage
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed my 415 Record Label blogpost. I'll be featuring all five bands here on "The Doctor Is In" in the future in my own spare time so do watch out for it. This 415 CD collection pays tribute to the vision and attitude which took alternative rock to the forefront of popular music. THANKS AGAIN guys for dropping by!!
This Is
The Best Of 415 Records!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD
