Die-hard punk fans in the US are probably familiar with the record labels Hopeless and Sub City. These 2 labels have consistently released quality, loved-by-the-underground-massive, punk music from bands like Fifteen, Jeff Ott, Mike Park, Thrice, The Weakerthans, Against All Authority, Atom And His Package, Har Mar Superstar, Nobodys and Scared of Chaka. What you may or may not have been aware of, is that both record labels exist to make the world a better place. Little did we know that those Fifteen albums we bought (and still have, despite not listening to them anymore) were actually helping disadvantaged kids get some fresh opportunities!

It Is The Business Of The Future To Be Generous

Sub City record label was created 8 years ago by the newly-prolific punk label Hopeless Records when they reached a point of selling more albums than they needed to support the label itself. Louis Posen - founder and president of Hopeless Records - thought it would be a good idea to start a second label that would be devoted to helping out less-fortunate people through donations and raising awareness. The name Sub City in part describes the subsidies it would provide to non-profit organizations, as well as declaring the underground roots of the music and people who are involved. Today Sub City and Hopeless Records are celebrating their million-dollar-milestone. Between Sub City’s sales proceeds and Hopeless Records’ Take Action Tour, the group have donated more than $1 million USD to more than 50 nonprofit organizations. It would seem as if these guys were not at all affected by diminishing album sales, eh?

Posen describes the charity structure as such:

We wanted it to be clear to the fans that when they buy a release, 5 percent of the suggested retail list price is going the charity they see on the back of the record and in the literature in the insert and they know that’s coming from the label and the artist and it’s based on gross, not on profits. So they can be very clear what the donation is, where it’s going and who’s giving it.

Posen also maintains that the band who created the music is in charge of deciding which organization will benefit from the financial contributions and the information that is included in the album liner notes. As for the many compilations released, the label chooses which non-profits to highlight and benefit. The Take Action compilations come out frequently and feature bands from the most underground to the most spotlighted. Bands who have had tracks on the comps include My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy, Dillinger Four, Falling Sickness, Shonen Knife, The Avengers, NOFX and many many more…

Punk Is About People. And Parties!

Hopeless and Sub City will be celebrating their million-dollar achievement with a bash in West Hollywood on August 26th. Music will be provided by the labels’ own acts Amber Pacific and All Time Low, plus students from Project MuszEd. Project MuszEd is the organization who was chosen as the beneficiary of this event. According to the event info: “Project MuszEd supports inner-city kids, with a talent and passion in music, to have access to post high school education and training which they could not afford on their own.” Tickets are $15 and you can get more info about the show on the event page on the Hopeless Records website.

Sub City and Hopeless Records Links

Lots more background info about Sub City and Hopeless Records including musicians involved and charities that they work with
Hopeless Records website
Sub City website

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