Infinity Cat Recordings is an independent record label founded in 2002 and based in Nashville, Tennessee. The label has released recordings from artists including JEFF the Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet, Be Your Own Pet, Ed Schrader's Music Beat, and Daddy Issues.[1] In 2011, the label was highlighted by British publication The Guardian, which wrote "forget the Grand Ole Opry; there are more thrilling new bands in East Nashville than anywhere else on earth [and] so many of their records have been released on the same label, Infinity Cat."[2] In 2011, Billboard Magazine listed Infinity Cat among the 50 best indie labels in America. [3]
| Infinity Cat Recordings | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Jake and Jamin Orrall (JEFF The Brotherhood) |
| Distributor(s) | RedEye, Dine Alone Records |
| Genre | Garage rock Alternative rock Grunge Punk rock Indie rock |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Official website | www |
History
editInfinity Cat Recordings was created on July 20, 2002 by brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall and their songwriter father Robert Ellis Orrall. Jake and Jamin were 16 and 14, respectively, when they created the label.[4] The label's first release was a live album called Tusky Mahloo by the brothers' band The Sex, which later turned into JEFF the Brotherhood. Since its inception, the label has released almost 100 albums from bands like JEFF the Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet, Natural Child, PUJOL, and be your own PET.[5] Infinity Cat has been described as one of the more influential labels in the Nashville rock scene, with Nashville Lifestyles describing the label as "Infinity Cat is to Nashville's garage rock as Sub Pop once was to Seattle's grunge: a label so intertwined with—and accountable for—a hyper-buzzed scene that it's naive to mention one without the other."[6] In their recap of the label's history, the Nashville Scene wrote that "long before Third Man Records opened its doors on Seventh Avenue, Infinity Cat had already become the heart through which Nashville's punk-rock arteries pumped their noisy, vibrant blood — helping make the city synonymous with a raw, restless strain of rock 'n' roll, and doing it on almost no budget."[4]
In 2011, Infinity Cat and JEFF the Brotherhood signed a deal with Warner Music Group. Warner Music A&R representative Ryan Whalley told Billboard Magazine that the deal was "a little different than how we usually work with bands" because the band would "maintain a foot in both Warner and Infinity Cat."[7] In an interview with The Tennessean, Jamin stated that the boys originally had reservations about teaming up with Warner, as they felt that they did not need any help, given their success running Infinity Cat. Ultimately, they decided to sign a deal with Warner that would give them "substantial creative control," as well as wider distribution.[8] According to Robert Ellis Orrall, starting with We Are The Champions, JEFF the Brotherhood releases would receive global distribution from WMG's Alternative Distribution Alliance under the Warner/Independent Label Group umbrella.[9][10] Later that year, Infinity Cat was listed as #10 in Billboard Magazine's "Business Biz: 50 Best Indie Labels in America.[3][11] Infinity Cat celebrated its 10th anniversary with two concerts on July 20 and 21, 2012. At the July 20 show, Metro Councilman At-Large Ronnie Steine read Resolution No. RS2012-339, which proclaims July 20 to be Infinity Cat Recordings Day in Nashville as "it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes Infinity Cat Recording on its 10th anniversary as one of Nashville's best independent labels."[4]
Artists
editSome of the bands signed to the label include:[12]
Visitors' Center
editInfinity Cat operates a "Visitors' Center" retail store at their headquarters. The Visitors' Center was opened as "a response to requests from fans who have wanted to stop by when they're in Nashville," and sells recordings, merchandise, and label-related rareties.[13]
Discography
edit| Catalog # | Artist | Title | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICR-01 | The Sex | Tusky Mahloo | CD | |
| ICR-02 | Jeff | I like you | CD | |
| ICR-03 | The Sex | Have Fun With | CD | |
| ICR-04 | Snug | Number One | CD | |
| ICR-05 | Monkeybowl | Plastic 350 | CD | |
| ICR-06 | Something Jones | Nobody's Trying to Hurt Anyone | CD | |
| ICR-07 | The Tennessee Black Plague | The Tennessee Black Plague | CD | |
| ICR-08 | Steffle Flanders | Soon to be a Major Motion Picture | CD | |
| ICR-09 | Jimmy Cushman?/The Sex | Jimmy Cushman?/The Sex | CD | |
| ICR-10 | Andy West | Sundays and Birthdays | CD | |
| ICR-11 | The Sex | Wake Up and Smell the Parents | CD | |
| ICR-12 | JEFF the Brotherhood | The Byzantine Empire | CD | |
| ICR-13 | Inverted/The Tennessee Black Plague | Inverted/The Tennessee Black Plague | Cassette | |
| ICR-14 | Jake Latakas Orrall | Romance | CD | |
| ICR-15 | Mike Rodgers | The Honkytonk Hitman | CD | |
| ICR-16 | Lindsi Weaver | Grounded | CD | |
| ICR-17 | be your own PET | Damn Damn Leash/Electric Shake | 7" | |
| ICR-18 | Monkeybowl | Ultimate | CD | |
| ICR-19 | Mike Rodgers | Across the Borderline Insane | CD | |
| ICR-20 | JEFF the Brotherhood | Cancer Killer/Like Fish in Water | 7" | |
| ICR-21 | be your own PET | Extra Extra EP | 7" | Split release between Infinity Cat, Dimak, and XL Recordings |
| ICR-22 | Cake Bake Betty | Songs About Teeth | CD | |
| ICR-23 | Art Circus | Art Circus | CD | |
| ICR-24 | Prom Night | Ride the Cosmic Unicorn | CD | |
| ICR-25 | El Rick Haun | El Rick Haun | CD | |
| ICR-026 | Zombies Can't Climb | Zombies Can't Climb | CD | |
| ICR-27 | be your own PET | Not Rocket Science | LP | |
| ICR-28 | Monkeybowl | Please Don't Drag My Christmas Down b/w Tree With The Big Lights | Digital single | |
| ICR-29 | Art Circus | Featuring Fred Flare | Digital single | |
| ICR-030 | JEFF the Brotherhood | Castle Storm | CD | |
| ICR-31 | Cake Bake Betty | To The Dark Tower | CD | |
| ICR-32 | The Mattoid | The Glory Holy | CD | |
| ICR-33 | JEFF the Brotherhood | The Boys R Back In Town | Cassette | |
| ICR-34 | Meemaw | Glass Elevator | 7" | |
| ICR-35 | JEFF the Brotherhood | The Boys R Back In Town | LP | |
| ICR-36 | Wizardz | Cybersex Offender | CD | |
| ICR-37 | Ham1 | The Underground Stream | LP | |
| ICR-38 | Daniel Lucca Pujol & Deluxin' | Timbre Shades Of Great | Cassette | |
| ICR-39 | JEFF the Brotherhood/Screaming Females | S/T | 7" | |
| ICR-40 | JEFF the Brotherhood/Sisters | S/T | 7" | |
| ICR-41 | JEFF the Brotherhood | Rafiki's Vision | Cassette | |
| ICR-42 | Letho/Paper Hats | Letho/Paper Hats | Cassette | |
| ICR-43 | Heavy Cream | Heavy Cream | 7" | |
| ICR-44 | JEFF the Brotherhood | Heavy Days | LP | |
| ICR-45 | Daniel Pujol | PUJOL | CD | |
| ICR-46 | Denney & the Jets | Denny & The Jets | Cassette | |
| ICR-47 | Natural Child | Shamewalkin' | 7" | |
| ICR-48 | Daniel Pujol | Ringo Where Art Thou | Cassette | |
| ICR-49 | Natural Child | Bodyswitchers | Cassette | |
| ICR-50 | Daniel Pujol | 2010 | 7" | |
| ICR-51 | JEFF the Brotherhood/Ty Segall | Split | 7" | |
| ICR-52 | Heavy Cream | Danny | LP | |
| ICR-53 | Denny and The Jets | The Devil's Harvest | Cassette | |
| ICR-54 | Natural Child | White Man's Burden | 7" | |
| ICR-55 | PUJOL feat.WEZ/ the little bear | Sexttape | Cassette | |
| ICR-56 | The Paperhead | Focus In On The Looking Glass | Cassette | |
| ICR-57 | Natural Child | 1971 | LP | |
| ICR-58 | Hell Beach | Hell Beach | LP | |
| ICR-59 | PUJOL | X-Files on Main St. | CD | |
| ICR-60 | JEFF the Brotherhood | We Are The Champions | LP | |
| ICR-61 | Cy Barkley | Rock Together | 7" | ECONOLINE Series |
| ICR-62 | Peach Kelli Pop | Peach Kelli Pop | LP | Debut self-titled LP originally released by Going Gaga Records in Canada |
| ICR-63 | JEFF the Brotherhood/Greenhornes | Split | 7" | |
| ICR-64 | Diarrhea Planet | Yama-Uba | 7" | Originally ECONOLINE Series, later repressed on random colored vinyl in 2014 |
| ICR-65 | Diarrhea Planet[14] | Loose Jewels | LP | |
| ICR-66 | Denney and the Jets | Killing Machine | 7" | ECONOLINE Series |
| ICR-67 | JEFF the Brotherhood/Hell Beach | Hole EP | 7" | Originally a tour-only 7" |
| ICR-68 | Uncle Bad Touch | Uncle Bad Touch | LP | |
| ICR-69 | JEFF the Brotherhood | Brotherhood Of Light | LP | Collection of B-sides |
| ICR-70 | Big Surr | Baked + Bruised | 7" | ECONOLINE Series |
| ICR-71 | Heavy Cream | Super Treatment | LP | |
| ICR-72 | Cy Barkley & The Way Outsiders | Cy Barkley & The Way Outsiders | LP | |
| ICR-073 | JUICEBOXX | I Don't Wanna Go Into Darkness | LP | |
| ICR-074 | Wet Illustrated | Scorped | 7" | ECONOLINE Series |
| ICR-077 | Skimask | Cute Mutant | LP | Split release between Infinity Cat Recordings, 100% Breakfast, and Sophomore Lounge |
| ICR-078 | Diarrhea Planet | I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams | LP | |
| ICR-080 | JEFF The Brotherhood | Previously Released 7" | Box Set | Repress of 7 out of print singles and a previously unreleased version of "Stay Up Late" |
| ICR-079 | Various Artists | Hits From The Streets, Volume 1 | 7" | 4-way split: No Regrets Coyote, Weekend Babes, OGG, Dirty Dreams |
| ICR-081 | Diarrhea Planet | Aloha | 7" | Repress of out of print 7", previously released on Evil Weevil Records |
| ICR-083 | Ed Schrader's Music Beat | Party Jail | LP | |
| ICR-084 | Music Band | Can I Live | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-085 | Various Artists | Hits From The Streets, Volume 2 | 7" | 4-way split: Jaws, King Bitch, Study Hall, Gnarwhal |
| ICR-086 | Ed Schrader's Music Beat | Laughing | 7" | |
| ICR-087 | Guerilla Toss | 367 Equalizer | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-088 | Left & Right | Five Year Plan | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-089 | King Bitch | Lost In The Party: The Best of King Bitch | Cassette | Cassette Store Day release |
| ICR-091 | Music Band | I Was Like | 7" | |
| ICR-092 | Diarrhea Planet | Aliens in the Outfield | 10" | |
| ICR-093 | Spanish Candles | Triple Date In Paradise | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-094 | Milk Dick | Romantic Superstore | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-095 | Rozwell Kid | Good Graphics | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 1) |
| ICR-096 | JEFF The Brotherhood | Wasted On The Dream | LP | |
| ICR-098 | Daddy Issues | Can We Still Hang | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 2) |
| ICR-099 | Faux Ferocious | Faux Ferocious | Cassette | Infinity Cat Cassette Series (Year 2) |
References
edit- ^ "How Nashville's Infinity Cat Recordings Uses an Outdated Format To Stay On The Cutting Edge". Flavorwire. 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- ^ Hann, Michael (March 24, 2012), "Why The Garages of East Nashville are Now American Rock's Hottest Property", The Guardian
- ^ a b "Billboard Pro's D.I.Y 50 Indie Labels (Part I)", Billboard, August 15, 2011
- ^ a b c Haruch, Steve (2012-07-12). "JEFF the Brotherhood, Infinity Cat Recordings and a decade-long ride from the indie trenches to the majors (and back)". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ Talbott, Chris (September 4, 2012), "Nashville Rock Scene Moves Out Of The Shadows", The Huffington Post
- ^ Frazier, Dan (July 2014), "9 Nashville Record Labels You Should Know About", Nashville Lifestyles, archived from the original on 2014-07-20, retrieved 2014-08-15
- ^ Jacobs, Justin (2011-06-19). "Jeff The Brotherhood 'Champion' With New Album". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
- ^ Paulson, Dave (2011-06-21). "JEFF the Brotherhood set to go major, stay in control". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
- ^ Gold, Adam (2011-05-03). "JEFF the Brotherhood and Infinity Cat Ink Deal With Warner Bros". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (April 2, 2011). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 12–. ISSN 0006-2510.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ "50 Best Indie Labels in America". Billboard Magazine. 2011-08-15. Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- ^ The Label, Infinity Cat Recordings, archived from the original on 2016-09-24, retrieved 2014-09-16
- ^ Haruch, Steve (April 16, 2013). "Infinity Cat 'Visitors Center' to 'Never Open' Starting April 27". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
- ^ “Review: Diarrhea Planet at Hoosier Dome”
Further reading
edit- "5 Reasons Why Nashville Rocks", Elmore Magazine, May 23, 2013
- Carr, Matt (February 23, 2011), "Infinity Cat: Spring 2011 Sampler", Everybody Taste[permanent dead link]
- Boyer, E. J. (January 24, 2014), "Why One Local Music Label is Embracing Streaming Services", Nashville Business Journal