Blonde Vinyl Explained

Blonde Vinyl was an independent record label founded in 1990 by Michael Knott. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes the label as "one of Christian music's first true indie labels."^[1]

Background

Blonde Vinyl signed bands with styles that were viable in the underground of the general market but rarely found their way into the Christian market^[1] —old school punk, garage rock, grunge, gothic, EBM/industrial, synthpop/house, spoken word, acoustic pop.

A gambit in 1991 which saw Blonde Vinyl release 10 albums proved successful for a short period of time, with the company having a major fanbase among Christian teens and 20-somethings.^[2] It would release albums for a two year period and carried the caption "New Alternative," which may have also introduced the official use of the word "alternative" to describe a style of music.

Blonde Vinyl folded in 1993 when its distributor Spectra Distribution, Inc. went bankrupt ^[3] after owing Knott a great deal of money.^{[4] [1]} After bankruptcy, Knott attempted to resurrect Blonde Vinyl under the name Siren Records.^[5] Siren managed two releases before going bankrupt: World Tour by LSU Cash in Chaos and Beautiful Dazzling Music No. 1 by Rainbow Rider (Dance House Children). After the failure of Siren, Knott started the band Aunt Bettys.^[6]

Notable artists

• Breakfast with Amy
• Dance House Children
• Dead Artist Syndrome
• Deitiphobia
• LSU
• Lifesavers
• Lust Control
• Michael Knott
• Scaterd Few^[7]
• Sincerely Paul https://web.archive.org/web/20091008193009/http://www.slidemusicgroup.com/(2 of the Original Band members of S.P. are in the band SLIDE)
• Steve Scott
• Tribe of Dan

Compilations

• Blonde Vinyl Teaser I (BVCD007 - 1991)
• Blonde Vinyl Teaser II / Food for Thought (BVCD0072 - 1991)
• SLAVA Compilation - Voice of the People (BVCD3442 - 1992)
• Radioactive Hits: The Definitive Blonde Vinyl Collection (84418-885-1 - 1993)^[8]

See also

• List of record labels

Further reading

• Ervin . Kathleen A. . August 1991 . California Dreaming: New Labels Share Common Goals . . 1524-7848 . 14 . 2 . 11–12 .

External links

• Michael Knott's home page
• Discogs: Blonde Vinyl
• CMA: Blonde Vinyl

Notes and References

1. Book: Powell, Mark Allan . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . 2002 . Hendrickson Publishers . Peabody, Massachusetts . 1-56563-679-1 . First printing . Michael Knott . 498–501 . registration . https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/498 .
2. Web site: Michael Knott, who changed the course of Christian rock, dies at 61. Lars . Gotrich . NPR Music . . en-US . 2024-03-14 . 2024-03-14 .
3. Web site: Spectra Distribution, Inc. Discography @ Nifty Music .
4. News: Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll. John Joseph. Thompson. 179. ECW Press. 2000. 978-1-55022-421-4 . March 14, 2024.
5. Brown . Bruce A. . August 1993 . On The Beat: Rock / Alternative . . 1524-7848 . 16 . 2 . 14 .
6. Book: Powell . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . registration . 2002 . Aunt Bettys . 57. Hendrickson Publishers . 9781565636798 .
7. Scaterd Few recorded Jawboneofanass for Blonde Vinyl, but due to the company's demise it was never released. Book: Powell . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . registration . 2002 . Scaterd Few . 794–795. Hendrickson Publishers . 9781565636798 .
8. Web site: Blonde Vinyl Memorial | Various Artists . 2011-02-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713162211/http://www.knottheads.com/bvdetail.php?id=various . 2011-07-13 . dead .