The Basics:
- What: Independent record label and distributor Touch and Go
- Where: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Founded by: Tesco Vee, Dave Stimson and Corey Rusk - now run by Rusk
- Founded: 1979 in Michigan
Touch and Go Beginnings:
Like many of the best indie labels, Touch & Go started out as a fanzine, set up in Michigan in 1979 by Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson. They were approached by hardcore punk band Necros, who wanted to release a single. Inspired by the DIY ethics of punk and bands such as Black Flag, who'd set up their own label, Vee and Stimson stumped up the cash, and in 1981, Touch and Go became a label proper with the release of Necros' debut single. Necros' bassist Corey Rusk jointly ran the label from his Grandma's house in Ohio, while Vee ran the promotion side from his apartment in Michigan.
Distribution Deals:
The first 7”s by Necro and fellow Michigan hardcore bands The Fix and Meatmen were sold direct to record shops in the towns where the bands played live. This got the band's, and the label's, name out amongst the nations record shops, and soon distribution companies were knock at the door. Vee, along with his band The Meat Puppets, moved to Washington D.C. and he left the label to Rusk. The label initially concentrating on releasing 7” singles by bands from the Michigan and Ohio hardcore and punk scene ,and in 1983 Rusk, and his partner Lisa, moved the label to Detroit.
Greystone Club:
In Detroit they recruited Terry Tolkin, the writer credited with coining the phrase “Alternative Music” in the 70's, as A'n'R manger, who then signed acts such as The Butthole Surfers and Virgin Prunes. Here they also started Greystone, an underage club with legendary midwest promoter Russ Gibb. Rusk started an underage club, frustrated that his own fake ID had often be insufficient to get him into gigs in Detroit. Greystone played host to many US hardcore acts such as Minutemen, Black Flag and Scratch Acid and future signings The Butthole Surfers and Killdozer. Soon the label moved again, this time to Chicago.
Steve Albini:
This was a highly successful period for the label and saw the release of albums by Slint, Urge Overkill and The Jesus Lizard. Rusk built up a strong personal and professional relationship with Chicago producer and musician Steve Albini. Many of the labels albums were recorded by Albini and T&G have released all of Albini's bands - Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac. They have a shared ethic: Rusk has constantly refuses to be bound by the conventional industry rules and Albini, initially a writer, continues to write contentious yet thoughtful critiques of many aspects of the mainstream music industry.
Contracts:
Rusk's early business model was similar to that employed by Factory Records boss Tony Wilson - i.e. non-existent . The contracts with the bands were all agreed on a handshake. The label agreed a 50/50 share of the profits with the bands, a familiar contact amongst indie labels today, but far rarer in the early 80's. This lackadaisical approach was based on Rusk's punk ethics, and the practicalities of drawing up a quick and simple agreement with bands, without involved costly lawyers and advisers.
The Trouble with The Butthole Surfers:
The Butthole Surfers had originally signed to T&G and gone on to enjoy major label success on Capitol Records. In 1999 they took Rusk to court to regain control of their back catalogue, claiming the verbal contract between the label and the band could be dissolved at any point. Rusk claimed it should last for the statutory 35 years. The band won the case but damaged their credibility and were widely criticized by the music community. Despite the legal ruling Rusk has continued to run the label on a handshake saying, "We've been doing things this way for 20 years and this is the only problem we've had like this."
Quarterstick Records:
By the early 90's Touch and Go had a solid reputation as a great rock label. Rusk, whose taste in music had always been varied and widely eclectic, was concerned that acts outwith the rock genre may not consider T&G a suitable home. This, and a desire to work with bands that didn't fit the perceived style of T&G, led Rusk to set up sister label Quarterstick Records which signed acts such as classical collective Rachels and punk poet Henry Rollins. Over the years, as T&G's output has diversified, there is little, if any, difference been the A'n'R policies of the two labels.
Distribution and Manufacturing:
In the early 90's Touch and Go began distributing and manufacturing for other indie labels that shared a similar ethos, working with Drag City, Thrill Jockey and Kill Rock Stars and many others. This allowed T&G to grow, allowed Rusk to help labels who may otherwise have struggled and given smaller indie labels an alternative to the major label owned distribution channels in the US.
Major Label Involvement and Demo Policy:
Unlike many successful and long running US indie labels T&G have never had major label backing, and continued to be fiercely independent. Many of the acts signed to the label have gone on to enjoy major label success: The Jesus Lizard, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV On The Radio to name a few. Rusk admits that initially it hurt his feelings when bands left, but now is more pragmatic - “If a band make up there mind to go to a major, I don't take it as an insult. Bands are gonna do what's right for them and you have to accept that."
Touch and Go's reputation and fiercely indie ethic put them at the top of the "dream label" list for many bands. They label does indeed accept demos, but they ask that you don't phone them or email them to follow up. They will get in touch with you if they're interested in hearing more. Further, don't expect a quick reply - they get quite a few demos, and without a dedicated A&R department, they listen to the demos as and when they can. If you're interesting in sending your demo Touch and Go, address your package to:
Touch and Go Records
PO Box 25520
Chicago, IL 60625
Note that Quarterstick is run by the same staff as Touch and Go, so you only need to send one demo to reach both labels. There is no contact person for demos, so there is no need to address your demo to any specific person.
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