Stomp Records

It seems highly unlikely that a small independent record label like Stomp could survive for six months, let alone for two decades. Founded in Montreal in 1994 with the goal of releasing, supporting and uniting Canadian ska bands, the odds were fully stacked against them. Luckily Stomp Records didn't, and still doesn't give one single fuck about odds. Those early years saw some pivotal releases from Gangster Politics, The Kingpins, Flashlight, The Undercovers, Subb and of course label founders, punk-ska superheroes The Planet Smashers. Learning as they went along, the label blundered boldly ahead adding international bands like New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, Nicotine, The Toasters and Big D & The Kids Table to the ever-growing roster. Right around this time, the entire music industry decided to shit the bed with the advent of Napster and file sharing. Luckily again, Stomp was one of the first indie labels to embrace early DRM-free digital technologies and managed to get the music to the fans without any bullshit nonsense. With the help of an incredibly hardworking roster of dedicated bands, Stomp expanded by creating a full-service, in-house booking agency, publicity company and management wing. As the label diversified so did it's taste in music. Phenomenal bands from across the subcultures joined the Stomp family. The Real Mckenzies, The Flatliners, The Creepshow, Belvedere, Bedouin Soundclash, The Dreadnoughts, The Sainte-Catherines, Peacocks, The Brains, Saint Alvia, Down By Law, Ann Beretta and Snuff just to name a few. I could go on forever. Instead, let's do some (more) shameless bragging. Today, Stomp Records has released over 150 albums. You can find Stomp Records music distributed in more than 130 countries. Stomp artists have (somehow) received a handful of Juno nominations including 1 win. There's even a few gold and platinum albums hanging crookedly on the walls in the office. Musical alumni can be found in bands like Simple Plan, Walk Off The Earth, The Stills, Patrick Watson and Broken Social Scene. Past staff members have gone on to be badass ballers at companies like iTunes, Vice, evenko, Dare To Care and several mental asylums. The current crew is a shockingly talented bunch of misfits, jokers and ne'er-do-wells. Looking back at everything that's changed over the last 20 years, two things have remained remarkably constant. The love and support of the fans as well as the dedication and hardwork of the bands on the roster. We sure as shit wouldn't be around if it weren't for them. So what better way to celebrate surviving 20 stupid years than to completely annihilate our collective livers with a series of knock-down-drag-out, raging parties across the country. Come join us at one of these insane shindigs so we can raise a glass or two and toast to another 20!