Victory Records

Infobox record label
name = Victory Records


parent =
founded = 1989
founder = Tony Brummel
defunct =
distributor =
genre = Hardcore punk
Metalcore
Pop punk
Post-hardcore
Ska
Emo
country = United States
parent = Sony BMG
RED Distribution
location = Chicago, Illinois
url = [http://www.victoryrecords.com Official Victory website]

Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation with several imprint labels, as well as a music publishing company called "Another Victory Publishing."

Founder Tony Brummel has received media attention for his criticism of Apple Computer's iTunes music download service, which he believes "makes music disposable. It makes it a faceless impulse item. It steals its soul." [http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=13878 iTunes steals music's soul] , MacWorld, 2006-02-16] Currently, music by bands signed to Victory Records can be purchased on iTunes, showing that Brummel has backtracked [http://strangeglue.com/victory-records-cute-without-the-e/432/ Victory Records: Cute Without the eMusic] , Strange Glue, 2007-04-04] on this position; However a few Victory Albums have been released on the Australian iTunes

History

Originally focusing on Hardcore punk bands, Victory later shifted focus to metalcore, Indie rock, Post-Hardcore, and Pop-punk. The label has had multiple records exceeding the 250,000 sales mark, including one platinum record "The Silence in Black and White" by Hawthorne Heights , and three gold certified records Hawthorne Heights' "If Only You Were Lonely", and Taking Back Sunday's "Tell All Your Friends" and "Where You Want to Be".

In early 2002, 25% of the label was announced to have been sold to Universal Music Group. [http://www.punknews.org/article/3307 MCA acquires 25% of Victory Records] , PunkNews, 2002-04-17] However later that year the deal was terminated by Victory. [http://www.punknews.org/article.php?sid=4492 MCA / Victory deal falls apart] , PunkNews, 2002-10-20] Victory is currently distributed by Sony BMG's RED Distribution.

tandBy Records

In 2008, Victory Records entered in an exclusive, worldwide distribution agreement with StandBy Records. [http://www.standbyrecords.net/2008/5/21/victory-to-distribute-standby-records StandBy Records news] , Standby Records, 2008-5-8] Neil Sheehan, owner of HM-Live, purchased Standby Records in 2008; Brummel has been quoted saying that "Neil has a solid vision and the staff in place to have a very successful label. He is a true entrepreneur that has worn many hats. He has the unique opportunity through his various operations to come into contact with a vast array of artists..." Standby Records was originally founded in 2007 in Toledo, Ohio and has signed a number of post-hardcore bands. Before Their Eyes and Emarosa both used to be singed by StandBy, but have since moved on to Rise Records.

Lawsuit

On August 7, 2006, the Victory-signed band Hawthorne Heights announced in a so-called "manifesto" on their website that they were leaving the label [http://www.hawthorneheights.com/print.htm The REAL Manifesto] ,Hawthorne Heights, 2006] and filed a lawsuit against it, accusing Victory of fraudulent accounting practices and for "severely damag [ing] the band's reputation and relationship with their fans." [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538058/20060807/hawthorne_heights.jhtml Hawthorne Heights Sue Victory Records - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News ] ] Brummel allegedly issued public statements in the band's name criticizing hip-hop and singer Ne-Yo (whose CD "In My Own Words" was Hawthorne Heights' most prominent competition on the Billboard 200 charts), [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1525066/20060228/hawthorne_heights.jhtml Hawthorne Heights Say Don't Believe Your Inbox - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News ] ] as well as urging street team members to conceal copies of Ne-Yo's CD in record stores. On September 13, 2006, Victory records countersued Hawthorne Heights, accusing the band of breach of contract and libel. [ [http://punknews.org/article/19739 Punknews, Victory files countersuit 10/13/2006] ] [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540810/20060913/hawthorne_heights.jhtml Victory Records Countersues Hawthorne Heights - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News ] ] Hawthorne Heights returned to Victory in 2008.

Former Victory bands Thursday and Taking Back Sunday have also had bad relationships with the label, although Thursday returned to Victory in 2007. [http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1565185/20070719/taking_back_sunday.jhtml VH1.com : Taking Back Sunday : Taking Back Sunday's New Album Not So New After All - Rhapsody Music Downloads ] ] [http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1564369/20070709/thursday.jhtml Thursday Knew Victory Treaty 'Would Confuse Everybody' | News | VH1.com ] ] Thursday had accused Victory of forcing them to sign to a major label which was not the case. Thursday stated in the DVD Kill The Lights that they chose to go to a major label and after getting dropped Tony Brummel and Victory Records welcomed Thursday back with open arms.(Island Def Jam in 2002) after they left Victory; a clause in their contract allegedly blocked the band from switching to another independent label which was also not the case. [http://www.punknews.org/article/3601 Punknews Thursday complaints regarding victory] ]

Artists

"see List of Victory Records artists"

Trivia

The Song "Standing In Front Of Bulldog Records" By 90's Thrashcore Band Charles Bronson, is based on a prank call to Victory Records.

References

See also

* List of record labels
* Victory Records artists

External links

* [http://www.victoryrecords.com Official site]
* [http://www.stomp.com.au/browselabel.aspx?q=victory+records&n=1142&f=Label Victory Records Australian distribution]