Chris Wrenn
(Bridge 9)
Quick Links: Bridge 9 | Chunksaah | Deathwish | Deranged | Escapist | Iron Pier | Lifeline | Magic Bullet | Painkiller | Profound Lore | Revelation | Rivalry | Southern Lord | This Blessing, This Curse | 12 Gauge | Young Blood
SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?
The Have Heart LP. One of the top 5 releases on B9, EVER. It is fun, makes you want to sing along and stage dive.
SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)
2006 saw the birth of two new fests. Sound & Fury on the West Coast, and This Is Hardcore on the East. With the passing of Posi#s and Hellfest, a lot of people got together and made sure that void was filled, and they did an amazing job with both. Im looking forward to both in 2007.
SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?
If a band has the resources, they can record, release & promote on their own without a record label. Bridge Nine is a niche label. We focus on hardcore. Weve spent 11 years aligning ourselves with some of the best hardcore bands in the past decade, and people have come to trust that. When you sign with a label like B9, youre aligning yourself with our history, and it allows a much larger group of people to hear you. Not to mention in that time weve built relationships with booking agents, stores, other bands, etc... that can be a huge resource for a new band trying to get their name out.
SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)
How about 4?
- Ceremony - Violence Violence (Malfunction)
- Iron Age - Constant Struggle (Youngblood)
- The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish Inc.)
- Ambitions - Question (Think Fast!)
SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?
Death Before Dishonor finished recording their full length album, to be released in the spring of 2007. Weve been planning on re-issuing the Shark Attack discography CD for a while, the Champion "Final Show" Live CD / DVD... There are a bunch of other things in the works...
SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?
At this point, to just keep things going. Keep working with great bands. I want to provide as much as I can for my bands, I want them to have the opportunity to tour the world. Hopefully Ill tag along on another tour next year, last one was the Slapshot / Champion / SKOH 10 day Euro tour in 2005. New website too! And to finally get the B9:50 five 7" box set out!
SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (and more if you want))?
B9 is no longer going to be releasing CDEPs, were going to stick to vinyl / digital EPs only. Stores just dont care about them anymore and were getting stuck with returns. Well be doing the same stuff that weve been doing for the last 10 years, just putting out records with our favorite hardcore bands.
B9 releases of 2006
- B9 Singles CD Vol. 1
- B9 Singles CD vol. 2
- Death Before Dishonor - Friends Family Forever CD Re-issue
- For The Worse - Blood Guts Going Nuts
- Have Heart - The Things We Carry
- Miles Away - Consequences
- No Turning Back - Holding On
- Outbreak - Failure
- Palehorse - Amongst The Flock
- Panic - Strength In Solitude
- Think I Care - World Asylum
- Triple Threat - Into The Darkness
- Bridge Nine: MMVI 4 band 7" (Have Heart, Outbreak, Triple Threat & Think I Care)
- Death Before Dishonor / Black Friday 29 "Split" 7"
