The late '90s found Dischord slowing down its schedule of releases. Only three bands were "signed" (quotation marks because we have never actually used any contracts) to the label: Fugazi, Lungfish and BlueTip. Because the label is so tied to the output of one particular community, it stands to reason that there will be times when there is less to release. In the meantime, Dischord has become much more active in the distribution of other D.C. area labels, beginning with Slowdime, DeSoto, Simple Machines, Teenbeat, Superbad, Resin and continuing with Lovitt, Ruffian, Exotic Fever and more. These labels have been documenting and creating their own communities, and we feel connected to them.

Over the years a number of people have worked for Dischord, but it has never been more than five or six at any one time. Many of them are in bands or have their own labels themselves. While Jeff and I still work on the label, it is these people who really keep things running day to day. In the beginning it was basically a volunteer arrangement as there was no money to pay anyone, but by the early '90s we were not only able to pay everyone, but also able to provide them with health insurance and other benefits. I've always considered this one of our most important achievements. Most businesses, including record labels, have used profits (or at least the fear of losing profits) as their guideline for operations. Because we have tried to approach the label as a mission of documentation as well as a community-based entity, we have managed to avoid many of the industry-standard practices. The fact that we are able to help support the people who work for us as well as pay royalties to the bands seems to be proof that such an approach is possible.

As we near the 20th anniversary of the release of Dischord #1, I realize that many people may think of this label in historical terms, but I think it's important to recognize that we still consider our work as current. We still feel connected to the subculture that has made our existence possible, and plan to continue with the documentation that has brought us here.

-Ian, November 1999

Continue with Ian's postscript, "The On and On" in the next pages.