Gold Standard Laboratories (aka GSL) has announced it will celebrate its 14th anniversary by shutting down operations as of the end of October. In a message posted on its website, the label wrote that it was closing due to the simple fact that "the experimental attitude and artistic freewheeling of times past are simply no longer sustainable and "that GSL's time has come and gone.
Founded by Sonny Kay, who played in punk bands such as Year Future and Angel Hair, over its 14 years, GSL was considered a steppingstone label for bands such as the Locust, the Mars Volta (whose Omar Rodriguez-Lopez joined Kay as a partner in 2001), Out Hud, the Rapture and !!!, who all released records for the label early in their careers. Some of the more recent acts the label released include Dmonstrations, the Jai-Alai Savant and Kill Me Tomorrow.
GSLs farewell message:
October 2007 marks the 14th anniversary of GSL's first release. Between that time and now, we've had some incredible opportunities, worked with some exceptional artists, and weathered our fair share of highs and lows. In recent years, we've experienced the onset of factors that have seriously limited our ability to maintain what we feel is the essence of the label; the experimental attitude and artistic freewheeling of times past are simply no longer sustainable. Rather than compromise our goals and beliefs, or allow our course to be charted by financial constraint and an industry in flux, we've decided the time has come for GSL to cease releasing new music, and to close this chapter of our story. We've spent the better part of the past year considering this decision. The recent passing of Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, whose singular example and influence on GSL cannot be understated, came as something of a cosmic reinforcement of our instinctual belief that GSL's time has come and gone. The fact that the original Factory Records itself lasted just 14 years may only be a coincidence, although we choose to see it differently. If one day the right opportunity presents itself, who knows, GSL may re-emerge. Only time will tell. In the meantime, most of our back catalog will continue to be available both physically and online; from now on mailorder will be in the hands of Redeye Distribution/11spot.com.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported our efforts throughout the years, not the least of all the bands who have, in many cases, exercised enormous degrees of patience with us, as well as to the loyal music fans who have been brave enough to follow their instincts and peek under a rock or two every now and then. We could not have lasted this long without you. Let the spirit of perseverance thrive in the face of adversity.
Founded by Sonny Kay, who played in punk bands such as Year Future and Angel Hair, over its 14 years, GSL was considered a steppingstone label for bands such as the Locust, the Mars Volta (whose Omar Rodriguez-Lopez joined Kay as a partner in 2001), Out Hud, the Rapture and !!!, who all released records for the label early in their careers. Some of the more recent acts the label released include Dmonstrations, the Jai-Alai Savant and Kill Me Tomorrow.
GSLs farewell message:
October 2007 marks the 14th anniversary of GSL's first release. Between that time and now, we've had some incredible opportunities, worked with some exceptional artists, and weathered our fair share of highs and lows. In recent years, we've experienced the onset of factors that have seriously limited our ability to maintain what we feel is the essence of the label; the experimental attitude and artistic freewheeling of times past are simply no longer sustainable. Rather than compromise our goals and beliefs, or allow our course to be charted by financial constraint and an industry in flux, we've decided the time has come for GSL to cease releasing new music, and to close this chapter of our story. We've spent the better part of the past year considering this decision. The recent passing of Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, whose singular example and influence on GSL cannot be understated, came as something of a cosmic reinforcement of our instinctual belief that GSL's time has come and gone. The fact that the original Factory Records itself lasted just 14 years may only be a coincidence, although we choose to see it differently. If one day the right opportunity presents itself, who knows, GSL may re-emerge. Only time will tell. In the meantime, most of our back catalog will continue to be available both physically and online; from now on mailorder will be in the hands of Redeye Distribution/11spot.com.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported our efforts throughout the years, not the least of all the bands who have, in many cases, exercised enormous degrees of patience with us, as well as to the loyal music fans who have been brave enough to follow their instincts and peek under a rock or two every now and then. We could not have lasted this long without you. Let the spirit of perseverance thrive in the face of adversity.