Fives - The five records labels that'll keep your ears happy

Fives is a feature I’ve been meaning to start on my show for a while now. It’s basically a way for relative newcomers to the Rock and Hard Place to get properly stuck into their scene. In future weeks I’ll list 5 must metal bands, 5 hardcore bands that truly get you pumped, 5 British acts that really should be bigger, 5 emo outfits that actually bring something new to the table, 5 zines and forums that’ll keep you up to speed etc…

This week it’s five music labels that’ll give you a bountiful supply of great faith-inspired bands:

Tooth and Nail / Solid State Records
Easily the largest label in terms of bands played on my show and in the Christian alternative scene. However they wouldn’t call themselves a Christian label but to a label who "allow artists who are Christians to create their art.” One day I’ll explain the ‘Christian band v Christians in a band’ debate but now’s not the time. They started in 1993 and quickly developed a number of sub-labels as their commercial success grew; the one of most note to me is Solid State as that’s where the heavier bands reside.
Notable Solid State alumni: Becoming the Archetype, Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, Norma Jean, Soul Embraced, Trenches, Underoath.
Former notables: Blindside, Extol, Life in Your Way, Figure Four
Notable Tooth and Nail alumni: Children 18:3, The Classic Crime, Emery, Hawk Nelson, MewithoutYou, Project 86, Showbread, Spoken, Thousand Foot Krutch.
Former notables: Anberlin, Beloved, Brave Saint Saturn, Dead Poetic, The Juliana Theory, The O.C. Supertones, P.O.D.

Facedown Records (plus imprint labels Dreamt and Strikefirst)
Possibly my favourite label due to their family feel and their social conscience. Jason Dunn started it out as a hardcore label but it now has a much wider range of bands. Still to this day though (with the exception of Thives and Liars) their best bands would fall into the metal and hardcore categories.
Notable Facedown/Strikefirst/Dreamt alumni:
Hands, Impending Doom, Jesus Wept, No Innocent Victim, Take it Back!, Thieves and Liars, Through Solace.
Former notables: Bloodlined Calligraphy, Comeback Kid, XDEATHSTARX, Immortal Souls, Nodes of Ranvier, Sinai Beach, xDisciplex A.D.

Flicker / Essential Records
Until it was bought by Provident Label Group (one of the big CCM powerhouses) Flicker Records was one of the most exciting independent labels out there. They’d stumbled upon some great fortune by making Pillar one of their first signings. Their commercial success allowed the label to grow to the point that it became an attractive purchase and as a result lost most of it’s alternative credibility. If you want safe but fairly rocking music this is your best bet (you may also wanna try SRE Recordings - home of Disciple, Flyleaf, POD, Skillet etc).
Notable Facedown/Strikefirst/Dreamt alumni: Fireflight, Flatfoot 56, Kids in the Way, Pillar, Red.
Former notables: Mortal Treason, Staple, Subseven.

Metal Blade
If you’re a little more daring and don’t mind bursting your Christian bubble a little you’ll no doubt be aware that there is a whole world of great faith-inspired bands that are signed to mainstream labels. In metal circles there are few labels with the same credibility as Metal Blade. Here’s a list of some of the current and former greats: As I Lay Dying, Aletheian, Austrian Death Machine, Believer, Woe of Tyrants, Winter Solstice.

Ferret
One of the great hardcore labels (a difficult concept as to be truly hardcore how can you be signed to a successful label?) and full of Christian musicians. Currently on their books are: The Devil Wears Prada, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Underneath the Gun and the mighty Zao!

NB: Each label’s notable roster is in alphabetical order rather than in order or preference or notoriety. All bands and labels should be fairly easy to find via myspace or google but feel free to contact me for links or questions.