By CHRIS DELL’OLIO
Big Shout Magazine, March 1994

If the ’80s was a decade characterized by big corporations, slick packaging, and Phil Collins’ shining forehead, the ’90s seem to be experiencing a resurgence in the grass-roots, do-it-yourself ethics that empower the little man to get out and put his creative thumb prints on the world. The music industry is hardly immune to this climate, and as a result, small labels have been springing up like lemonade stands in a suburban heat wave. In the Delaware/Philadelphia area — a location with a long-standing, self-contained musical history — labels like Neck Records, Compulsiv Records, Silt Breeze, Jade Tree, and 7RECORDS have all been instrumental in presenting music that might have otherwise gone unnoticed by a world whose new music arteries are clogged with Pearl Jam sandwiches and Blind Melons. Here is a brief overview of who is doing what, and why you’ll like it.

NECK RECORDS

Delaware’s answer to SubPop. This label puts out the best music from the Delaware area which could one day come to be known as the best music on the planet. A diverse array of styles evade the pigeon hole of a Delaware sound. The musical and creative quality is high, and the records are good looking, clean sounding, and produced at an eagerly-industrious pace.

Founded: 1992
Proprietor: Kurt Beers
Format: Classic seven-inch singles
Records by: Marcus Hook, Spin Drift, Caterpillar, Very
Upcoming releases: Dantana, Walleye
You’ll like it because: You always want to be one step ahead of the cool kids at your school.

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JADE TREE

Started in 1991 when two straight-edge labels (Hi-Impact and Axtion-Packed) merged to put out a broader spectrum of musical styles than their straight-edge confines would allow. Jade Tree has tried to downplay their role as a member of the Delaware scene. Nevertheless, the label has put out some decent national-act records. Most notably, sings by Eggs, Pitchblende, and my personal favorite Leslie’s *(all) Tricked Out* seven-inch.

Founded: 1991
Proprietor: Darren Walters, Tim Owen
Format: CD, vinyl single, and LP
Releases by: Swiz, Eggs, Pitchblende, Railhed, Leslie, Universal Order of Armageddon, Four Walls Falling, Gravel
Upcoming releases: State of the Nation (recorded with Clint Werner of Sea Weed), Eggs/Pitchblende split single, Walleye
You’ll like it because: It will appeal to your moral fiber (assuming you have some, that is).

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7RECORDS

This Philly label is releasing music targeted at triple-A radio (WXPN to area locals), and hopes to act as an intermediate avenue for smaller acts to use for notice by major labels. 7’s head honcho, Dean Sciarra, claims that he is looking for songs that take an inventive approach at addressing their subject matter. And y the way, he made a point to let me know he doesn’t like funny music.

Founded: 1992
Proprietor: Dean Sciarra
Format: CD
Records by: Peter’s Cathedral, Ben Arnold, Huffamoose, Brothers & Sisters — Love from Philly (a two-disc compilation benefitting ActionAIDS)
Upcoming releases: Janet Speaks French, Huffamoose (EP), Lloyd Paul
You’ll like it because: The sensitive side of you says it’s okay.

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SILT BREEZE

With the late ’80s release of a record by the Dead C, Silt Breeze blazed a trail for New Zealand’s musical underground to enter North America via Philadelphia. Low-fi, high-intensity and/or creativity, Silt Breeze’s records make musicians and producers ask, “Why record that on 24-tracks when I can use two?” Proud to have started in the ’80s, Silt Breeze is not limited to New Zealand acts, and it continues to put out some of the most creative and most interesting records in the world. No lie.

Founded: 1989
Proprietor: TJ Laz
Format: Vinyl, singles, LPs
Records by: The Dead C, Alastair Galbraith, Strapping Field Hands
You’ll like it because: You’re deep enough to realize that New Zealand has more to offer than sheep. Oh yeah, and because low-fi experiments of all nationalities are cool.

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COMPULSIV RECORDS

In 1992, Compulsiv kick started its tenure as the area’s fastest path to the rawer side of the new rock scene with the release of a record by Bull, a band including members of Big Black. Ever since this momentous beginning, Compulsiv has put out some of indie music’s most notable bands. The philosophy here is that you don’t have to be a rock star to put out records. Anybody can, and should if they have the inclination. Rock on!

Founded: 1992
Proprietor: Brian Dilworth
Format: Seven-inch singles and CDs
Records by: Bull, Rocket from the Crypt, Pitchblende, Rodan, Walleye, Crain, Strapping Field Hands, Zen Guerilla, Derelict Hotel
Upcoming releases: Caterpillar (full-length)
You’ll like it because: You can rock out with the best of ’em.