Asbestos Records

Asbestos Records is an independent record label in Stratford, CT founded in 1996 by Matt Flood, and Dave Leone. (vocalist for CT ska/punk band Inward Variation, and Streetpunk Band The Reformed). It was started as a vehicle to release albums and compilations for local bands, and to book DIY shows at the Newtown Teen Center.

The label released their first release early in 1997 called The Best Bands You'll Ever Hate. It was one of the rare comps to document the punk/ska scene in, and around Connecticut in the mid nineties. This compilation contains tracks from bands such as Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A., Big D and the Kids Table, Skinnerbox, Planet Smashers and more. The album sold over 1,000 copies and helped to usher in the Ska Explosion that would envelope CT for the next few years.

Over the next eight years, Asbestos Records released albums from notable CT bands, such as: Slackjaw, Grover Dill, and West Beverly, whose members went on to join bands such as Dropkick Murphys, In Pieces, Staring Back, and Punchline.

The label was also home of the first four album covers by cult Artist Rob Dobi, known for his parody send up of emo fashion How to Dress Emo and his clothing company Full Bleed.

In 2005, the label joined with CTSKA Productions into one entity and work together to continue to foster the underground pop punk / ska scene in and around CT.

In 2006, they released a benefit compilation for their good friend Dan Lang-Gunn of Infamous Jake and the Pinstripe Mafia, The Flaming Tsunamis and most recently The Modern Day Saint. In 2004 Dan suffered from a cardiac arrest during a performance with The Modern Day Saint in November, 2004. The dual disc compilation contains tracks by punk legends like The Descendents, NOFX, Against Me!, Rise Against, Avail, plus many more, along with local bands too.

In 2007 the label began a project to reissue popular 3rd Wave Ska albums, whose labels were currently defunct. This series of reissues included the debut albums from Mustard Plug, Arrogant Sons of Bitches, The Flaming Tsunamis, The Slackers and Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A.

At the start of 2011, Asbestos Records released a 2xLP of River City Extension's album ...And the Unmistakable Man. River City Extension, an indie/folk band from Tom's River, NJ, would then go on to touring all year playing festivals like Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival, going on tour with Alkaline Trio and The Smoking Popes, two weeks of Vans Warped Tour and many other shows.

In a joint effort between Asbestos Records, Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records and Ska Is Dead, the three started a Ska Is Dead 7" Subscription Series made up of six split 7" records. Each 7" featured two currently active ska bands. Series 1 has been completely released with Series 2 on the way.

In 2011, Asbestos Records and Underground Communiqué Records co-released Skank for Brains, a split between The Rudiments and The Suicide Machines (as Jack Kevorkian & the Suicide Machines) on 2xLP vinyl records. (Originally released in 1996)

During September 2011, a Kickstarter fundraiser was created by Asbestos Records to release a very limited run of Infamous Jake & the Pinstripe Mafia - The Beginning of The End. All extra money raised will go towards Dan Lang-Gunn's medical bills.

Continuing the reissue of classic 3rd Wave Ska albums, in November 2011 Asbestos Records teamed up again with Underground Communiqué Records and launched a fundraiser on Kickstarter. The records that are to be pressed on a limited run of vinyl are The Pietasters - Oolooloo, Pilfers - Self-Titled, Edna's Goldfish - Before You Knew Better, and Suburban Legends - Rump Shaker. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.