Ep500: Brett Gurewitz - Epitaph Records, Bad Religion & more

Ep500: Brett Gurewitz - Epitaph Records, Bad Religion & more

Author: The Vinyl Guide June 16, 2025 Duration: 1:09:47

Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz discusses rare records, early Bad Religion releases, the lasting impact of "Suffer", format transitions, and staying relevant through punk's evolution and vinyl's revival.

Topics Include:

  • Brett's first record: Cosmo's Factory at age 9-10
  • Lost entire record collection after breakup with Susie Shaw
  • Greg Shaw's legendary garage rock collection inspired young Brett
  • Vinyl revival surprised Brett after seeing format cycles
  • Started Epitaph shipping vinyl from West Beach closet
  • CD controversy: expensive, poor sound quality initially
  • Made three formats: vinyl, cassette, CD for releases
  • Vinyl nearly died in late 90s, warehouse troubles
  • COVID lockdown sparked massive vinyl sales resurgence
  • Indie artists need vinyl for merch booths
  • Color variants important for hardcore collecting communities
  • Epitaph's mission: help artists, don't make records ourselves
  • Started Bad Religion at 17, Greg/Jay were 15
  • No label knowledge, just entrepreneurial punk rock spirit
  • Dad lent $1500, found Alberti pressing plant
  • First 7-inch had skipping error, different pressings exist
  • Rodney on ROQ played cassette before vinyl
  • Fan mail arrived from Europe surprisingly early
  • "Into the Unknown" prog disaster: 11,000 returns somehow
  • Took day job selling gay disco imports
  • Learned recording at University of Sound Arts
  • Started West Beach studio in Pacifica's back closet
  • Cocaine-fueled 80s work schedule: three jobs simultaneously
  • "Suffer" recorded in seven days, transcendent experience
  • Eddie Schreier at Capitol gave Brett confidence boost
  • "Suffer" sound attracted top punk bands to studio
  • Signed NOFX, Offspring through West Beach connections
  • California harmonies influenced by Adolescents, Beach Boys
  • "Beginner's mind" philosophy keeps Epitaph current today
  • Authenticity and youth create that rock miracle

Enter to win a record from us to celebrate Ep500

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep458: Keeping it Reel with Blag Dahlia of Dwarves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:16
Blag Dahlia of Dwarves discusses band history, collectible records, the challenges of running a label and the balance of art and business, as well as new and reissued Dwarves vinyl. Topic Include: Dwarves should be a rec…
Ep457: Hugh Cornwell - The Stranglers & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
Hugh Cornwell takes us through early records of his life, rare records of the Stranglers, solo materials, analogue recording and more. Topic Include: Aussie tour, New Album Does Hugh have a record collection? Early music…
Ep456: Al Barile - SS Decontrol (SSD) & X-Claim! Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:23
Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s. Out of print for over 4 decades, SSD has only recently reissued their two masterpieces "The Kids Will Have Their Say"…
Ep455: The Saints 73-78 with Ed Kuepper and Mark Arm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:08
The Saints made history with the record "(I'm) Stranded" in 1976 - nearly 50 years later founder/songwriter Ed Kuepper is revisiting the early Saints material with some old bandmates and new friends, including Mark Arm o…
Ep454: The Return of Redd Kross with Jeff & Steven McDonald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
Jeff & Steven McDonald formed Redd Kross at a pivotal time in the LA music scene, playing their 1st gigs in their early teens and were mentored by Black Flag. Their influences are vast and their appreciation for musical…
Ep453: Joe Bonamassa & The Art of Collecting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Guitarist and music-gear mega-collector Joe Bonamassa joins us to talk about his new record label, collecting gear, his appreciation and approach to the art of vinyl records, his new LP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" on Jo…
Ep452: Managing the Miles Davis Legacy with Vince Wilburn Jr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:41
Managing the estate of a legend like Miles Davis requires tremendous coordination, detail and creativity. Vince Wilburn Jr, musician, collaborator and nephew of Miles and co-manager of the Miles Davis Estate discusses th…
Ep451: Data, Trends & the Future of Discogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:45
Most record collectors use Discogs each day - so what does the data tell us about the state of record collecting? Founder & CEO Kevin Lewandowski and COO Lloyd Starr talk to us about the data and future of this pivotal p…
Ep450: The Legend of Fraction "Moon Blood" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:21
The 1971 album "Moon Blood" by Fraction has fascinated record collectors for decades. The perfect intersection between great musicianship, intriguing backstory and supreme rarity, Fraction "Moon Blood" is now getting an…

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