By Wendy WWAD

WWAD: How / when / where did Dead City Records come about?
DCR (Pablo): Austin, TX 2005. I was playing in the BlackNovas and Mike, who was a good friend of mine and the band itself, had joined forces to get the band merch and recordings out. Sometime later, we had a CD release party and I jokingly said I would rather form my own label and put out our own records, rather than shop them to other labels. Mike offered to partner up if I handled the scouting and artist end, he would handle the business end. I quickly jumped on the offer and recruited Doyle, a local poster artist to do our artwork.
Mike: Back in early 2005, I was fed up with the yuppie scene and went out in search for rock n roll and adventure in the Red River district. I fell in love with numerous bands and quickly became a regular and even offered to invest in helping out the BlackNovas. I found that guitarist, Pablo, to be just as much as a defender of the faith to rock 'n' roll, as myself and so we launched the label to put out great rock, punk, metal and glam that deserved to be put out there!

WWAD: How did you acquire the stellar acts on your roster?
DCR (Pablo): Simply by asking. After being in the novas for close to 8 years, we had played with a lot of great acts and made a lot of friends in the industry. I think the one thing that attracts acts to Dead City, is that we don't bullshit you. We never promise what we can't deliver, plus we are not looking to make ourselves big by releasing the next Turbonegro, Hellacopters or Hives. We are just looking to release good rock 'n' roll and provide our bands with an outlet to get themselves heard and distributed around the world. Being that small band guy, I know first hand how rad it feels, to know your shit's online like, Itunes or in record shops throughout Europe and the US.

WWAD: What are some of the difficulties involved in starting an independent label? Worst obstacles you've had to overcome? Most rewarding aspects?
DCR: DISTRIBUTION! With the digital age in full force, it's hard to get distribution houses to pick up a small unheard of label. It was one of the hardest obstacles we have had to face, for sure. If you get picked up by one, you'll end up getting dropped by another. Distros everywhere are starting to close down so, it's getting even harder, nowadays. Luckily we(Dead City), have embraced the digital era, as far as digital distribution goes and have picked up major international distro like Cargo UK. The most rewarding aspects of running an indie label is the freedom. The freedom to surround yourself with awesome bands and the people who play in them. Knowing we are gonna put out something kick-ass and then reading the reviews to back that feeling up. Plus, seeing our name in major music magazines is pretty cool. I just recently stumbled across an article in Amped magazine listing us as one of the top "punk rock 'n' roll" labels in America.

WWAD: How involved in production is DCR? Or is the involvement primarily on a booking / distribution / management level?
DCR: We are totally involved in the production aspect. From the point we work a deal with a band, we start by getting contracts, recording, artwork, PR and distro rolling in full gear. I would say right now we are backed up a bit, simply due to a high demand for new releases and new artist coming out that we have on our roster.

WWAD: You claim to offer the "best rock – metal – glam – punk there is to offer". How do you go about scouting and recruiting your acts?
DCR: Word of mouth, for sure! We pretty much know the know, because we are out there. Whether it's on the web or at a rock show, we are there. Plus, our friends or bands that we work with give the heads up on a lot of new talent that's out there, doing it right now.

WWAD: I noticed that you guys put out, Sex Music, the long and much anticipated sequel to the Toilet Boys self-titled album (? ) after their apparent break-up after the Great White tragedy affected their pyrotechnic-laden live show. First off, how did you manage to score that release? And are there any plans for future tours from the TB's?
DCR (Pablo): I had been talking to Electric Eddie for a while just bullshitting the idea around, but it wasn't until I had asked Miss Guy if he had any unreleased songs or b-sides that he wanted to release. From that moment it became a sort of domino effect and the excitement had completely taken over us and the band...we knew we had to release a full length with new songs. As far as tours go, we are still in the works with getting sponsors and major city venues to back us and meet the expectations of the band and their fans.

WWAD: What DCR releases can we look forward to in 2008?
DCR: - We are currently working on the new Kansas City Faggots full length, Shit City High's EP and The All Time Highs (Featuring Mark Osagueda from Death Angel). By late next year we hope to see a new ADHD, as well as High Watt Crucifixers.

WWAD: What does DCR have going on during SXSW?
DCR: We are having a day party/showcase March 15th with Electric Frankenstein, ADHD, Shit City High, The Heart Attacks and The Kansas City Faggots at the Ale House. There may be a possible split showcase with Black 13 booking later that night.

WWAD: DCR's mission statement…
DCR: Keeping ourselves small, so we can pay as much attention to the bands as we can. Honesty has payed off in this business and though it is a rare thing, We intend to stay honest...we won't bullshit you!