Remember record labels? I know they're still around, but with the proliferation of online music distribution, the decline in physical media, and the rise of self-releasing, they're not the taste makers they once were. In the pre-internet / social media days, it was much more difficult and costly to promote and distribute music to a large audience. Independent record labels were once essential for a band's success. Without their financial support and distribution networks a band wouldn't be able to expand their fanbase beyond their scene.
Founded in 1987, Lookout Records was one of those fiercely independent labels that helped a local scene become a worldwide phenomenon. "How to Ru(i)n a Record Label: The Story of Lookout Records" chronicles the rise and fall of the label that introduced the world to Green Day, Operation Ivy, and countless other punk and pop-punk bands that would influence popular music for years to come.
Authored by Lookout Records founder and longtime president Larry Livermore, the book is a sort of biography of the label from its founding until its decline and demise. The story of Lookout Records is deeply intwined with Livermore's and its success is his own. From a ramshackle operation run out of a bedroom to a multimillion-dollar company, Livermore's recounting of the label and its operations is both heartfelt and humorous as he takes us through disastrous European tours, rushed recording sessions, and punk rock politics.
If you've ever been curious about the inner workings of a label, how acts like Green Day got their break, or outrageous and unlikely success stories, then "How to Ru(i)n a Record Label" is a must read. As a fan of many of the groups that were released on Lookout Records this was a fascinating read and I couldn't put it down. Livermore's writing is exceptional and his unique perspective and insight into the music is really enlightening.
If this sort of book is your jam you may want to check out my reviews on similar topics here. Until next time, keep rocking.