Billboard.com reports that TVT Records, once hailed as Billboard’s top independent label and home to artists such as SEVENDUST and BOBAFLEX, is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week. Sources have confirmed the development, which was first reported by AllHipHop.com.
Founded in New York in 1985 by Steve Gottlieb, TVT rose to notoriety after releasing music by NINE INCH NAILS and KMDFM. In recent years, the label has focused on hip-hop, scoring a series of hits with the aforementioned artists.
But TVT has also been embroiled in legal battles, including a suit against Island Def Jam over a JA RULE compilation that IDJ prevented TVT from releasing in 2003. The initial ruling awarded TVT $132 million in damages, but the figure was reduced to zero on appeal.
Good riddance. They’ve just about turned into another shit rap label, and sadly still own Wax Trax. Kinda weird to think that Pretty Hate Machine was released on the ‘Tee Vee Toons’ label!
I doubt most of it is owned by TVT still. The first NIN release was basically bought out a few years ago by Warner Brothers. Groups like Front 242, Laibach, Test Dept, Coil…they to my knowledge own the rights to any re-releases.
Al supposedly has the rights to his WaxTrax stuff.
Hmm, I guess they did just license most of that stuff from other labels like Mute, RRE, etc., but TVT still owns the Wax Trax ‘label’, don’t they? Not that it’s good for anything anymore…
Good riddance. They’ve just about turned into another shit rap label, and sadly still own Wax Trax. Kinda weird to think that Pretty Hate Machine was released on the ‘Tee Vee Toons’ label!
1002
QFT!!! after buying off Wax Trax! from bankruptcy they did absolutely nothing to promote the label (well aside from the Black Box 3 CD annivesary celebration compilations & Vhs tape collection vol. 1 & 2)
I’d like to see a Wax Trax mega-box released. It could be a black vinyl case with a big, silver logo embossed on the cover, filled with a crapload of slimline CDs of nothing but the 12" and EP releases (skip the LPs since many are available), complete with original art. I wonder how much of that stuff would have to be re-licensed:
Actually, that’s my next project. The site belongs to a guy named Brandt (from the band Hypefactor). He is to Wax Trax what I am to Ministry and then some. I’m working on gettng the discog up first and then will be adding the cover art, press releases, promotional material, etc that he’s amassed. Hopefully we’ll have a forum on there too.
Bisquitodoom, why the ‘Not Sub Pop’ title, do you know?
By the way, has anyone listened to any of the bands on the WTII label? I’ve actually heard Beborn Beton on my Pandora station, and they have a dark synthpop sound to them.
It was somewhat of a catchphrase of sorts. Like a rebellion against the sub pop /grunge scene, I believe. Used to be found handwritten on leather jackets, etc all DIY-style back in the late 80’s.
Actually, that’s my next project. The site belongs to a guy named Brandt (from the band Hypefactor). He is to Wax Trax what I am to Ministry and then some. I’m working on gettng the discog up first and then will be adding the cover art, press releases, promotional material, etc that he’s amassed. Hopefully we’ll have a forum on there too.[/reply]
If you need help with any particulars on that, let me know. I’ve got a big box in storage stuffed full with 99% of the WaxTrax! vinyl releases, plus a bunch of promo stuff and test pressings.
Thanks for offering to help, Skot. If you have a moment sometime, send Bisquit or myself a list of the test pressings and promo materials that you have stashed away. If there is anything that isn’t already covered, we may call on you to scan some of it. And again, the offer of help is much appreciated… as I was telling Bisquit a while ago, it is much too large a site to run on my own.