Fat Wreck Chords and the Independent Punk Ecosystem

This episode traces how Fat Wreck Chords, founded by NOFX bassist‑vocalist Tony Mike and mail‑order guru Erin Burkett, crafted a one‑album deal model that kept bands artistically free while building a network of compilations, touring routes, and activist shows. We unpack the label’s role in shaping melodic punk in the ’90s, its influence on later pop‑punk acts, and the DIY infrastructure that made it thrive without major‑label hand‑outs.

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