Thick was formed in 1994 by Detroit native Zak Einstein,[1][2] who started the label when he re-located to Chicago after graduating from Michigan State University.

[3] Early releases include albums from Chicago ska-punkers The Blue Meanies, Alton, IL's Judge Nothing, Seattle's grunge rockers Truly[4] featuring Robert Roth, Mark Pikerel, and Soundgarden's Hiro Yamamoto, and the Omaha-based Commander Venus, whose members included Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, Matt Bowen and Todd Baechle.

Blue Meanies singer Billy Spunke joined Einstein and signed multiple Chicago punk rock artists including The Tossers, The Arrivals, and The Methadones.

[5] Thick released picture disc vinyl including 7" records from Alkaline Trio, At The Drive-in, ALL, and Citizen Fish.

[3] In 2004 the label released a DVD collection of the "Out of Focus" fanzine, featuring acts including Green Day, Jawbreaker, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Down By Law, Sludgeworth, Born Against, Los Crudos and more.