Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Double or Nothing Records (Nicholas Smith)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Hammer Brothers - The Kids Are Dead
  2. Hour of the Wolf / Lewd Acts - Split
  3. H20 - Nothing to Prove
  4. Internal Affairs / Dälek - Triumvir 12"
  5. Years Spent Cold - Moving Heaven to Hell

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Power Trip from Texas: a solid mix of thrash and crossover with a taste of modern hardcore. They really are not doing anything new; they are just doing it right. Crucified from California: fast, raw, angry Clevo-style hardcore that doesn't put me to sleep. No vintage stupid gear for some shit sandwich doom sounds, straight raw power with good songwriting. The singer let me BBQ and swim at his house for three days while I was on tour.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

As far as hardcore, I would say pretty stagnant and disconnected.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

I believe it is a return to the glory days. People can steal as much music as they want and there is nothing we can do about it other than make the tangible product better. That includes vinyl, packaging, posters, artwork, and anything that reflects the artist that music can be combined with. Major labels are going under because everything is so niche oriented and there are people loyal to the music style they embrace. So it's only fair to make those releases more personal and artistic, rather than some mass production of a disc and paper. I think vinyl has showed throughout time it can last and I think it will be steady for a while.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of anything)

Ending my six-year contract with the U.S. Army and then finding out two months later that my former unit is going to Iraq.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

More new releases than I can think of off hand. More split 7"s. More killer bands. Some new Kids Like Us/Mongoloids record covers. New Know The Score record, Stray Dogs...Hard as Fuck. Finally moving back to Cleveland. Various uncalled-for remarks on bands, labels, and people I don't much care for.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Steel Nation, Know the Score, and Crucified

Homepage: http://www.doubleornothingrecords.com

Related features

Nonthewiser

One Question Interviews • February 27, 2026

Nic (Nonthewiser) SPB: What were your biggest takeaways from recording your EP Injustice For All? What did you learn and what would that change the process next time around? Nic: Recording Injustice For All taught us how important planning really is. Since we live in different cities, we record everything … Read more

The Immortal Samsara Travelers

One Question Interviews • February 26, 2026

Stanley Christiaensen (The Immortal Samsara Travelers – guitar/flute/vocals/sitar) SPB: How do you typically begin the composition process for a song? Christiaensen: The composition process always starts from either existential questions like the evolution of the human species or historical visions like the Hadean Eon, Egyptian mythology. An atmosphere will spark … Read more

On The Cinder

One Question Interviews • February 25, 2026

On The Cinder SPB: What is the smallest crowd you’ve played to? How did you approach the show? Mike: I did a call with my guys last night and we compiled some of the more tragic memories of our time touring over the last 13 years as a band. A … Read more

The Boys

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Boys were perhaps one of the most underrated bands to ride the crest of the first wave of UK punk. Formed in London in 1976, they stood out from their peers with astute musicianship, melodic hooks, and clever lyrics. While bands like the Sex Pistols were focused on cash … Read more

The Darts – Tour Talk

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Darts have a busy year ahead. First, they will release the brand new full-length Halloween Love Songs on March 3 (Meow Hiss Music). Then the band hits the road – France in March-April, then much of the US in May-June. They are also booking dates in the EUK, Australia, … Read more

More from this section

Demos You Want To Check #2

Music / New Kids On The Block • January 12, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and then die out, and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, a little help never hurts! So here we are, your … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2025)

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

Every year we diligently assemble a list of our favorite albums of the year. Each SPB staff member enters the large arena we nickname THE DOJO, and yells out the name of their top album of the year. Rival staffers quickly assemble and shout out their own highly-favored record, and … Read more

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2025

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

For many years now, Scene Point Blank has taken the opportunity as the year ends to formally "pass the mic" to our friends on the other side of the mostly-imaginary divide between listeners and artists. This year is no exception as we ask a bunch of bands, artists and labels … Read more