Skip Groff (November 20, 1948 - February 18, 2019)

To say that that Dischord Records wouldn’t exist had it not been for Skip Groff isn’t really a stretch.

It was Skip that took The Teen Idles to Inner Ear Studio back in 1980 to record what would become Dischord #1 and it was Skip, having gone through the process with his own Limp Record label, that walked us through the steps of getting a record pressed. The very fact that he had his own label was a huge inspiration to a bunch of DC kids who had no idea how the music industry worked or that the ability to create records would be within our reach. And it was Skip’s record shop, Yesterday and Today, that first sold our records and it was Skip’s trust in us and belief in the label that led him to lend us money to press records when we were completely broke.

Making the trip to his shop became an instant ritual for young punk rockers like those of us who were discovering a new universe of music and culture in the late 70s and early 80s. Y&T blew our minds. The breadth of Skip’s knowledge about music, especially music from the 60s, was staggering and to this day I’ve never met any other person who, given a song title, was more able to name the artist, composer, producer, label, and year of release. He used to say that, while impressive, this talent didn’t really have much of a practical application outside of the record shop (for instance, try putting a fire out with that sort of information), but I don’t think it was merely a party trick. In my mind it something akin to proof of a higher power.

Skip clearly sought and found joy in music and it was through the vernacular of music that he empowered so many to experience the same.

Skip, we love you!

- Ian, Jeff, and Dischord Records

Autoclave's S/T LP out 3/29

On March 29th, we will release Autoclave's discography as a single LP for the first time ever. This 12” combines the band’s 7” and 10” singles as well as two extra demo tracks. The music has been remastered from the original tapes by TJ Lipple and cut for vinyl by Bob Weston at CMS. You can pre-order the record now via our website and Bandcamp page.

Formed in 1990, Autoclave lasted for one year and played only a handful of shows. In 1991, the quartet released a three-song 7" on the "DisKord" label -- a joint effort between Dischord and Olympia, Washington's K Records. The band's second release was a posthumous 10" that came out via Billotte's label, Mira Records. Autoclave was Christina Billotte, Mary Timony, Nikki Chapman, and Melissa Berkoff.

Store Update: Des Demonas

Des Demonas - Bay of Pigs b/w Skrewz

Two new tunes by Washington, D.C. all-star garage rock crew, Des Demonas. Features members of Hammered Hulls, Foul Swoops, and Kid Congo Powers & the Pink Monkey Birds. A-side "Bay of Pigs" is an organ drenched derge that evokes The Fall or, maybe, a Jonathan Fire*Eater deep cut. At any rate, it's an excellent addendum to the band's debut LP, which arrived last year via In the Red Records.

Store Update: Indian Summer (DC/VA)

Indian Summer - Cherry Smash

Four songs by late 80s Northern Virginia/DC punk quartet, Indian Summer. While these songs were put to tape in 1989 by J Robbins, this is the first time they have been available on vinyl with an additional demo. Though short-lived, the band was a regular in the local all-ages scene in 1988 and 1989, playing Merrifield Community Hall, Arlington Women’s Hall and many a punk house party, a Positive Force show at d.c. space, and some of the first all-ages matinees at the Safari Club. Members would go on to join Chisel, Pelt, and Edsel.

Jawbox announce 2019 shows

This summer Jawbox -- J. Robbins, Kim Coletta, Bill Barbot, and Zach Barocas -- will reunite to perform a number of US tour dates. This will be the first time that the band has performed together since appearing on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in 2009 and their first proper shows since 1997. The sets will draw from most of their discography with an emphasis on the Robbins/Coletta/Barbot/Barocas recordings, especially ​For Your Own Special Sweetheart​ and ​Jawbox​,​ albums which mark the peak of their creative and performative time together. You can find the complete itinerary at the band's website and also via our tours page.

TK Echo S/T EP out 1/25

TK Echo is a new band with Chris Richards (Q and Not U), Fiona Griffin (Et At It), Josh Blair (Supersystem), and Aaron Leitko (Protect-U). We are helping them to release their debut 3 song digital EP on 1/25. You can pre-order the tracks and hear the song "Fade My Mind" via our Bandcamp page.

Store Update: The Mercury Program, Salad Days

The Mercury Program - A Data Learn the Language

A reissue of The Mercury Program’s much-loved double LP, A Data Learn the Language. First released in 2002, the record went quickly out of print on vinyl and has remained extremely hard to find. Now reissued by Lovitt Records, this version has been recut by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service and pressed on 180 gram black vinyl with a gatefold sleeve. Warm, melodic, minimalist instrumental music with a dialed-in rhythm section.

V/A - Salad Days Soundtrack

A companion to filmmaker Scott Crawford's DC punk documentary, Salad Days, gathering music from the film as well as era-appropriate works by Marginal Man, Government Issue, Black Market Baby, Jawbox, United Mutation, Holy Rollers, Swiz, Fire Party, and Kingface.

The Messthetics announce UK/EU tour dates

Early next year, The Messthetics will head to the UK and Europe for two weeks of dates. In March, the band will travel to Knoxville, TN to perform as part of the Big Ears Festival. A complete list of the band's forthcoming shows is available here.

The Messthetics on tour with Clutch in December

This winter, The Messthetics will join Clutch for a week's worth of dates in the Northeast. You can find the complete list of shows via our tours page. The band also recently performed three songs as part of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, which can be streamed here. The Messthetics are Brendan Canty, Joe Lally, and Anthony Pirog.

Store Update: Bad Moves

Bad Moves - Tell No One

The debut full-length by Washington, D.C. punk/power pop quartet, Bad Moves. The album features 12 tuneful, personal, and politically conscious songs recorded in Philadelphia last year with Hop Along's Joe Reinhart. Features David Combs (Max Levine, Spoonboy, Somnia) as well as Emma Cleveland, Katie Park (Hemlines), and Daoud Tyler-Ameen. Recommended!

Store Update: Escape-Ism

Escape-Ism - The Lost Record

Less than a year after the release of his solo debut LP, Introduction to Escape-Ism, Ian Svenonius returns with The Lost Record. From the man himself: "Without the high-octane hype machine of the mind-control minstrels who hypnotize the hapless through the mass media, The Lost Record is bound for inevitable obscurity, but—with its timeless tunes, poignant message, and innovative sound—rediscovery and immortal status is equally assured!" 11 songs stuffed with vintage Svenonian observations, critiques, and rants set to retro-futuristic skronk.

Store Update: Des Demonas

Des Demonas - S/T

The debut LP by D.C.'s own Des Demonas. Excellent Farfisa-driven garage rock dirges that bring to mind the Fall and maybe even, at times, Jonathan Fire*Eater. Features an stellar lineup of local lifers, including members of Kid Congo Powers & the Pink Monkey Birds, Foul Swoops, and Measles Mumps Rubella. Recommended!

Store Update: Black's Myths

Black's Myths - S/T

Hypnotic bass and percussion compositions from Washington, D.C.'s Luke Stewart (Low Ways Quartet, Irreversible Entanglements) and Warren G. Crudup III. Long-form improvisations that are alternately serene and heavy, heady and visceral. Out via Atlantic Rhythms, who have also released tapes by Arto Lindsay and Curved Light.

Store Update: Dead Meadow

Dead Meadow - The Nothing They Need

The seventh full-length studio album by Los Angeles-based/D.C.-bred psych-rock trio, Dead Meadow. Released on the eve of the band's 20th anniversary, the record includes performances by a number of Dead Meadow alumni, including guitarist Cory Shane and drummers Mark Laughlin and Stephen McCarty. Recommended.

Fort Reno 50th Anniversary Fundraiser

This summer will mark the 50th year of Washington, D.C.'s Fort Reno Concert Series. The organizers are currently conducting a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for an extended the season and also, hopefully, to fund the series into the future. If so inclined, you can view the project here. The Fort Reno Summer Concert Series is an all-volunteer Washington, D.C. institution that has presented free shows in the park for the last 50 years. The bills often feature a mixture of young bands just starting out alongside more seasoned bands -- all from the area's independent music scene. The concerts typically take place during July, with shows on Monday and Thursday evenings.