Anti Fade Records is a record label run by Billy Gardner based in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

ANTI FADE records
Founded2011 (2011)
FounderBilly Gardner
Genrerock
Country of originAustralia
LocationMelbourne
Official websiteantifaderecords.bandcamp.com

The first release for the record label was a limited edition C30 cassette by The Bonniwells titled "Sunny Brick" in 2011, and they have since put out over 80 releases, with Henry Rollins said to be a fan.[1] Gardner told Beat Magazine that the impetus for creating the label was to release a compilation album he was curating called New Centre of the Universe Vol. 1. The album was released in 2012 and featured tracks by Dick Diver, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs, Hierophants, UV Race, and The Frowning Clouds.[2]

Since its incarnation Anti Fade has released records by Parsnip, Primo!, Alien Nosejob, Bananagun, Vintage Crop, and Civic, which has led to the label gaining a strong local popularity, with Geelong's Forte called them "one of Australia’s best-loved independent labels...[and] Australia’s best export for garage, punk, shoegaze and psych".[3]

The label also hosts their annual Jerk Fest, held at the Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong since 2015,[4][5] and has curated events for Melbourne Music Week.[6]

In 2020 the label expanded into coloured vinyl releases for the first time, which were eagerly bought up by fans.[7] The following year Anti Fade's headquarters – Billy Gardner's home – was damaged in a fire.[8] A fundraiser T-shirt was released,[3] and the label continued to put out new releases, although Gardner noted that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria meant 2021 could see fewer releases from Anti Fade, with bands unable to play together or record.[7]

References

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  1. ^ gimmiezine (2020-01-14). "Billy Gardner of Anti Fade Records: "I feel very blessed that all of my talented friends let me release their stuff."". Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Zine. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  2. ^ Billy, August (28 January 2021). "Beloved Melbourne label Anti Fade are bringing two nights of punk to Max Watt's". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Anti Fade Records launch fundraiser tees following a fire that ravaged their HQ". Forte Magazine. 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  4. ^ "Jerkfest drops huge lineup of local acts, celebrating the best in underground punk and alternative music". Forte Magazine. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  5. ^ Gallagher, Alex (22 February 2021). "Bananagun, Parsnip and more announced for Jerk Fest 6.5 lineup". NME. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  6. ^ French, Ricky (27 January 2021). "Punk, Techno and Outdoor Gigs: Melbourne Music Week Extends Its Summer Program". Broadsheet. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  7. ^ a b Gaunt, James (2 August 2021). "Music in a pandemic". The City Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  8. ^ Bruce, Jasper (20 April 2021). "Anti Fade Records' headquarters damaged in fire". NME. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
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