A389 Records – May 5th, 2012 – Interview

Record Label: A389 Records
Interview Date: May 5th, 2012
Interview Type: Email
Interviewed: Domenic Romeo

Hello Dom, so A389 Records is quickly approaching the announcement A389-100 seems like only months ago I started following the label after picking up A389-020 Pulling Teeth- Martyr Immortal at a local record store, care to reflect on such an accomplishment on a label?
I would often think to myself that either 100 releases or 10 years would be the ultimate goal for A389. As of now we just hit 100 releases in our 8th year of existence, and still have plenty to go. Maybe 10 years will be the next milestone, I dunno. It’s a total labor of love regardless. Time just flew by and took a lot of bands/records along for the ride. I’m happy to still be here and to have so much work to still do.

What would you say are your top 10 releases that you have put out through A389?
This changes every day, but right now I would say

INTEGRITY: Everything
RINGWORM The Promise 12″
GEHENNA The War Of The Sons Of Light and The Suns of Darkness 12″
SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP/CHILDREN OF GOD Split 12″
JUNIOR BRUCE The Headless King 12″
THE LOVE BELOW Every Tongue Shall Caress 12″
FULL OF HELL Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home 12″
PULLING TEETH Funerary 12″
SERAPHIM The Light in The Distance 12″
PENETRATION PANTHERS Perpetual 80s 7″

I hear you have more in store with the label via a new project in the form of a new zine entitled Midnight Mass, what sparked the concept and what can people expect from the first issue?
I always wanted to create a publication at some point in my life, with everything going on right now it seemed like the perfect time to do it. First issue is 32 pages/full color and has interviews with Dwid and Aaron Melnick (Integrity), Chris Colohan (Cursed/CTO), Orion from Ilsa and Szymon Siech. It also has a 4 page companion to our 2012 DIGITAL MIXTAPE which will be launched the same week as the magazine. 51 tracks from all the new and upcoming A389 releases. We’re throwing everything at you except the kitchen sink. Also, thanks to the generosity of our friends who took out ads in the magazine, we’re able to give it away for FREE.

Scion Label showcase essentially is A389 bash on the west coast, are there any plans to do this yearly? Or is it simply a one-time deal.
No real plans to do it more than at this one time. My heart is in Baltimore, and I put all my effort into making the Anniversary Bash something special and unique each year. However I’m grateful for the opportunity to do a ‘satellite’ version of the bash on the west coast for people who can’t make it to Baltimore every January. I have fantasized about doing the fest in random locations down the road, I also have a million other ideas every five minutes……we’ll see what happens.

Speaking of A389 Bash this year’s was insane, what are some of your favorite moments from these shows over its history?
My favorite memory is definitely when PULLING TEETH played as backing band to Canadian Heavy Metal God THOR. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on stage in my life closely followed by when PT played as ‘THE BLACKEST CURSE’ with Dwid on vocals in 2007. Also seeing the only US performaces by bands like HAYMAKER and ROT IN HELL was a pretty amazing feeling. STARKWEATHER in 2008 was very intense…of course the legendary GEHENNA performance of 2010 that almost ended in a riot…Best part of all is getting to see my favorite hardcore band play every year. You may have heard of them, they’re called INTEGRITY.

For people out there trying to do DIY labels or collectives what is some advice you could offer after all the experience with A389?
Don’t be lazy.

I know you have said as long as putting out records you will continue to do A389 with that being said how does the future of A389 look and what releases do you have in works, and riddles are more than welcome if you cannot reveal them just yet?
All will be revealed with the release of the A389 MMXII Digital Mixtape Sampler and first issue of Midnight Mass Magazine.

Thank you for putting out some of my personal favorite jams, and for taking the time out to answer a few questions, feel free to leave any parting words.
Thanks for the interview James!

Interviewed By: James Terry

Scion Label Showcase presents A389 Records @ The Glass House. A live recorded event featuring Integrity, Ringworm, Seven Sisters Of Sleep, The Love Below, and Young And In The Way. To receive free tickets go online here.