"[1][2] The label gained prominence with the rise of Boston hardcore in the punk culture of the 1980s which had strong ties to the scene in nearby Washington D.C.[3] Additionally, popularity of the 45 rpm format in the punk and indie underground scene, and the network of independent distribution, zines, retail outlets, and college radio stations that had already developed around the format also contributed to the label's success.
By the early 1990s, the label developed close ties to the punk scene in Southern California and moved its headquarters to San Diego, where it remains.
[5] “In the early 80's, frustrated with the scene in Boston with all the greatest bands in the USA I felt that there should a place they could call home.
released five vinyl titles: Burning in Water by Moving Targets, Back on the Map by Slapshot, Another Wasted Night by Gang Green, the 7-inch Mine Caroline by The Oysters, and a bonus 7-inch by The Lemonheads.
Gang Green's Another Wasted Night spawned three videos that received MTV play, and their non-stop tour propelled sales of their release to upwards of 30,000 units.
produced an archival release of early material from San Diego hardcore band Battalion of Saints.
Casella, who had been dividing his time between Los Angeles and Boston, moved the label's headquarters to Mission Beach, San Diego and simultaneously opened a retail outlet in Hollywood.
In 2007, the label started to sign more new bands, including Everybody Out!, featuring Rick Barton of Dropkick Murphys, Bill Close of The Freeze and Sweeney Todd of The Dead Pets as well as Southern California's Evacuate, led by Mike Virus of Cheap Sex and The Virus, who released their debut in 2009.
In 2011 the label released works by two legendary bands from the San Francisco Bay area – Attitude Adjustment and Part Time Christians.
The bands featured were Gang Green, Last Rights, Stranglehold, Noonday, Underground, Last Stand, Negative FX, Oysters, Lemonheads, Moving Targets, and Slapshot.