Fat Wreck Chords Sells Iconic Catalog To Hopeless Records

There is massive news out of iconic American punk rock labels Hopeless Records and Fat Wreck Chords today (10 July), as the pair have entered a landmark partnership.

As part of the deal, Hopeless is acquiring the iconic Fat Wreck Chords catalogue. The decision was guided by co-owners Michael John Burkett (Fat Mike) and Erin Kelly-Burkett’s artist-first philosophy, which will see all outstanding balances for the label’s currently signed artists cleared.

According to a press release, the move is happening with “no strings, no fine print, just a clean slate” for artists on the label. In addition to clearing the unrecouped balances, Hopeless will adopt a no-new-signings policy for Fat Wreck Chords, at the latter’s request. All focus and resources will instead be focused on the existing roster.

Fat Mike and Erin will retain the Fat Wreck Chords name, logo, and trademark, and continue to represent the label at festivals and pop-up events.

Hopeless and Fat Wreck Chords have a close, longstanding relationship that began in 1992, when a young music video director, Louis Posen, asked to direct a music video for the NOFX track, Bob.

They’ve been friends for years, and Fat Mike and Erin helped him learn all about running an independent record label. Hopeless was born in 1993 and wouldn’t exist without Fat Wreck Chords.

Fat Wreck Chords is home to numerous iconic punk rock artists, such as NOFX, Lagwagon, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, Descendents, Against Me!, Rise Against, Propagandhi, Aussie outfits Clowns and Frenzal Rhomb, and many others.

Meanwhile, Hopeless Records helped usher in the new wave of punk and alternative artists, including Avenged Sevenfold, Neck Deep, The Used, Yellowcard, All Time Low, Sum 41, Scene Queen, Destroy Boys, Taking Back Sunday, Aussie punks Stand Atlantic, and more.

To celebrate the partnership, Hopeless and Fat Wreck are releasing new music from three of their most loved acts, Bad Cop Bad Cop—their first new album in five years—a three-part archival series from NOFX, and celebrating the 20th anniversary of Strung Out’s Exile In Oblivion. Head to the Fat Wreck Chords Australian webstore for more information on those releases.

Louis Posen said of the announcement, “The opportunity to lead the history, catalogue, and roster of Fat Wreck Chords into the future, alongside Mike and Erin, is the honour 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 honouring and continuing the remarkable history of Fat Wreck Chords.”

Fat Mike added, “After talking to so many different labels to partner with over the past 3 years, Erin and I realised that Hopeless was the only choice. We’ve been friends with Louis for over 30 years, and he is someone who always seems to be doing things for the greater good. I completely trust his ethics and acumen with the legacy of Fat Wreck Chords.”

Erin Kelly-Burkett concluded, “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.”