About
About
Behind the company is a number of individuals born in the 70’s from the northern city of Umeå in Västerbotten, Sweden, who’s dedicated their lives to various forms of artistical expressions and subcultural movements since the end of the 80’s.
Some of us played in various punk/hardcore bands and founded Umeå Hardcore Records and Umeå Hardcore Magazine in 1990. It was a time when everything seemed possible. A time when the common welfare was protected and the social injustices were a lot less tangible, which made it possible for us to rehearse free of charge with our bands on various youth centres, print our music magazine at no cost via ABF (a state funded organisation) and frequently perform at concert arenas like Galaxen (funded by the municipality). Hardcore for us wasn’t merely a description of a musical style, it represented an attitude: cocky rebellion.
The purpose of the company is to provide a platform for alternative northern literature, music och cultural manifestations. We draw inspiration from the incomparable Do It Yourself-mentality which sprouted in Umeå during 1989-91, when the foundation was laid to the nowadays world renowned northern hardcore scene. This mentality is still present in the groundwater of this student town.
The platform is politically independent, but always stands up for freedom of speech, equality and democracy. Surely there are possible alternative social structures in relation to the rigged capitalistic game plan that the power elite imposes on us all, but our main focus is to support creativity, critical thinking and culture in all its forms.
We are convinced that all power must be questioned. Power always corrupts. And always with navel-gazing centre in Capitals. That´s why we form a northern counterforce.
Formally the company board consists of Marcus Ödebygd (Umeå Hardcore Records & Magazine, V2 Music Scandinavia, Garbage Pailkids, Bullshit, Public Toilets, Northern Militia, etc) och Lena Lax (Burmans musik, etc).
The company board cooperates with an independent advisory board consisting of:
Dennis Lyxzén (Umeå Hardcore Records & Magazine, Step Forward, Garbage Pailkids, Refused, International Noise Conspiracy, AC4, INVSN, Ny Våg, etc).
David Sandström (Umeå Hardcore Records & Magazine, Refused, Final Exit, AC4, etc).
Tomas Mazetti (Raw Power, Studio Total, etc).
Tomas Andersson (Drift Apart, Lapdog, Premonition Records, Northern Militia, etc).
And last but not least - lurking in the shadows - a number of contributors who wish to remain anonymous.
The excess revenue that the company releases generate is used for the production of new releases, projects and symbolic middle fingers towards the power elite. No money is set aside for salaries, board fees or allowances.
