Mixtape: When I Fall – A Homestead Records Primer

Despite being one of the foundations of the indie movement in music, it still sometimes feels like the legacy of Homestead has been a bit lost these days. I can’t help but scoop any of the label’s releases from the used bins when I see them, but sometimes my jokes about obsessively collecting Homesteads seems lost even at the counter. Maybe its just me that’s obsessed. The label began as a domestic arm for the Dutch East India Trading company, the long island distributor that emerged as a hinge for imports, running into some legal hurdles after the copyright act of 1976 prevented them importing any titles that already had a domestic partner. Homestead served, originally as a solution, but would evolve into a label with it’s own unique voice. While the newly formed label would also bring quite a few imports to the U.S, including The Pastels, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Tall Dwarfs, The Verlaines, The Ex, and Einstürzende Neubauten, it’s the homegrown releases that have often stood out.
The label’s legacy would prop it up as early homes for Sonic Youth, Dinosaur (before the Jr.), Big Black, and an eventual reissue home for Daniel Johnston. Here, though, I’ve worked to avoid the large tentpoles and dig into the label’s less prominent names. Where there was a tie that bound punk to whatever became College Rock, Alternative, and Indie, Homestead was there to help define the sound. The label’s long running guiding light was Gerald Cosloy, who served as label manager from 1984-1990. Cosloy was later integral in the formation of Matador and currently holding down the roster at 12xU. The label’s eclectic nature mapped quite a few corners of the punk scene and the roster is right up there with SST, AmRep, Sub Pop, and Matador. There are certainly omissions here, but I tried to give a good overview of some label highlights. The mix is already nearing two hours, so it’s pretty stuffed. If you’ve been a fan, reminisce. If you’re unfamiliar, welcome.
::Tracklist::
The Membranes – Big Fun Tonight
Sorry – Anything
Great Plains – Black Sox Scandal / What Are You Living On
Death of Samantha – Harlequin Tragedy
Naked Saygun – Knock Me Down
The Outnumbered – I Feel So Sorry Now
Windbreakers – Changeless
Phantom Tollbooth – Why I See Why
Volcano Suns – Jak
Big Dipper – She’s Fetching
Love Child – Diane
Squirrel Bait – Sun God
Green River – Corner of My Eye
Supreme Dicks – Jack-O-Lantern
The Frogs – Homos
Breaking Circus – (Knife in the) Marathon
One Plus Two – Promise
My Dead Is Dead – Nothing Special
Salem 66 – Pony Song
Nice Strong Arm – Desert Beauty Bloom
Antietam – Orange Song
Sebadoh – Violet Execution
Trumans Water – Sucker Mystique
Dredd Foole – In The Way
Giant Sand – Bloodstone
Live Skull – Haircut for Pigs
Bastro – Guapo
Beat Temptation – Amnesia
Unrest – Bavarian Mods
The Dentists – Pocket of Silver
The Cakekitchen – Witness To Your Secrets
Sleepyhead – Cake
Seam – Atari