Skunk Records is a record label based in Long Beach, California, founded in 1990 by Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Bradley Nowell (frontman of the band Sublime). The label is associated with the spinoff label Cornerstone R.A.S.
History
The inspiration for forming a record label came to Happoldt in 1989 as a way to release music for his band the Ziggens. Happoldt met Nowell shortly thereafter, and Nowell insisted on having Sublime backed by the nascent label. Happoldt was selective in choosing other acts, which later included Slightly Stoopid, Juice Bros, Philieano, Toko Tasi, and Paulie Nugent. After the death of Nowell in 1996, Happoldt took on the label independently. By the early 2000s, the label was in decline. Happoldt continues to make records for the label.
Happoldt has encouraged bands on Skunk to move to larger labels as they increase their audience, as he has stated he prefers to focus on music creation instead of marketing.
In 2009, Skunk Records and Suburban Noize Records entered into a distribution partnership. On September 16, 2009, Suburban Noize Records purchased Skunk Records and its catalog. In 2014, the label celebrated its 25th anniversary with a four-show tour.
Genre and Style
The label's output primarily encompasses third wave ska, reggae, and dub.
Notable Artists
Artists who have released material through Skunk Records include Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Long Beach Shortbus, the Ziggens, Pepper, Mishka, Unwritten Law, Perro Bravo, Philieano, and others.
Distributor
Suburban Noize Records
