Hopeless acquires catalog of independent label Fat Wreck Chords, home of NOFX and other influential punk bands


Hopeless Records is acquiring the catalog of influential independent punk label Fat Wreck Chords, founded in 1990 by NOFX’s Fat Mike (Michael John Burkett ) and Erin Burkett.

According to the press release announcing the transaction on Wednesday (July 9), as part of the deal, “all unrecouped balances” for artists currently signed to the San Francisco-based label “will be zeroed out”.

The release added: “No strings, no fine print, just a clean slate for every signed band that’s helped shape the label.”

At FAT’s request, Hopeless, will also adopt a no-new-signings policy for Fat Wreck Chords, “ensuring all focus and resources stay on its existing roster”.

Fat Mike and Erin will retain the name, Fat Wreck Chords logo and trademark, continuing to represent the label through festivals and pop-up shops.

The announcement noted that the partnership “is the result of a long-standing connection” between Fat Wreck Chords and Hopeless.

In 1992, as a young music video director, Hopeless founder Louis Posen cold-called Fat Mike to direct a video for NOFX’s Bob.

The two became friends, and when Posen began to lose his eyesight and shifted careers from film to music, Fat Mike and Erin welcomed him into the Fat Wreck Chords office, helping him learn the ropes of running an independent label.

Van Nuys-based Hopeless was born the following year.

Fat Wreck Chords went on to define much of California punk and had a significant influence on the genre through releases from bands like NOFX, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, Face To Face, Good Riddance, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Swingin’ Utters, Dance Hall Crashers, Descendents, Against Me!, Rise Against, and international acts like Hi-Standard, Propagandhi, The Flatliners, Snuff, and Frenzal Rhomb.

Hopeless became a home for new-era alt-punk artists like Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low, Neck Deep, The Wonder Years, Sum 41, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, The Used, and rising voices including Scene Queen, TX2, Destroy Boys, Melrose Ave, and NOAHFINNCE.

Commenting on the deal, Louis Posen said: “The opportunity to lead the history, catalog, and roster of Fat Wreck Chords into the future, alongside Mike and Erin, is the honor and privilege of my 30-year career.

“We are incredibly grateful that Mike and Erin have entrusted the Hopeless team to care for their 35 years of passion and hard work.

“I don’t know when it will fully sink in, but we are deeply committed to honoring and continuing the remarkable history of Fat Wreck Chords.”

Louis Posen

Added Posen: “I vividly recall purchasing NOFX’s The Longest Line vinyl from Aron’s Records, Hollywood, in 1992. Just a year later, I found myself directing a music video for NOFX, and then directing a video for Lagwagon. I remember sitting at West Beach Studios with Mike, listening to Propagandhi record How to Clean Everything. Now, 30 years later, I am humbled to carry forward that incredible legacy.

“I don’t know when it will fully sink in, but we are deeply committed to honoring and continuing the remarkable history of Fat Wreck Chords.”

“We’ve been friends with Louis for over 30 years and he is someone who always seems to doing things for the greater good. I completely trust his ethics and acumen with the legacy of Fat Wreck Chords.”

Fat Mike

Fat Mike added: “After talking to so many different labels to partner with over the past three years, Erin and I realized that Hopeless was the only choice.

“We’ve been friends with Louis for over 30 years and he is someone who always seems to doing things for the greater good. I completely trust his ethics and acumen with the legacy of Fat Wreck Chords.”

“As a true fan, Louis knows firsthand what FAT is all about, and will build on the foundation Mike and I laid with care and respect.”

Erin Kelly-Burkett

And Erin Kelly-Burkett said: “While this is one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made, it is also one of the most exciting. FAT has been my baby for 35 years.

“To me, it’s more than a label; it’s a community, a home, and a legacy built from the ground up. Louis understands that, and I can’t think of anyone better than Hopeless to carry FAT forward.

“As a true fan, Louis knows firsthand what FAT is all about, and will build on the foundation Mike and I laid with care and respect. These bands are my family, and I know they’re in good hands with the Hopeless family.”


The labels are releasing new music from three cornerstone bands: Lighten Up, the first new album in five years from Bad Cop Bad Cop; A to H, the first in a three-part archival series from NOFX featuring unreleased, rare, and demo recordings; and a 20th anniversary edition of Strung Out’s Exile in Oblivion, with a brand-new single, Glass Houses.

The news also kicks off a larger celebration for Fat Wreck Chords’ 35th anniversary this fall, with upcoming events including live shows, film screenings, special releases, and more.

Last year, Hopeless celebrated its 30th anniversary with special exhibits at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Punk Rock Museum (which Fat Mike founded).Music Business Worldwide

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