How Indie Record Labels Built the Punk Revolution

From Rough Trade’s grassroots distribution network to Dischord’s fair‑pay model, this episode traces how punk’s independent labels engineered a DIY economy that gave bands creative control and a national touring circuit before major players stepped in. We examine the mechanics of small pressings, mail‑order networks, and community‑driven promotion that let underground bands reach audiences coast to coast. The story reveals why those label innovators matter even as punk evolved into mainstream genres.

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