Bong Load Records


Bong Load Records is an independent record label originally based in Los Angeles which was founded by producers Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf and partner Bradshaw Lambert.
Much of the Bong Load Records catalog is released in small quantities. Several bands have very rare releases that are much sought after and command high prices at auctions.
Bong Load Records relaunched on its 25th anniversary in 2016 with limited edition vinyl releases. Tom Rothrock sums up the label "Our core philosophy of the indie label was always about making high quality music with artists who have dedicated their lives to their craft – artists who otherwise might not have been heard."

History

One of Bong Load Records' biggest signings was Beck in 1991. Beck's "Loser" single became the first number one, non-major label single since FM radio became mainstream. In 1998, Beck recorded the album Mutations intended for release on Bong Load Records but it was eventually released on the Geffen label. There were a series of lawsuits between Beck, Bong Load and Geffen, settled in 1999, which led to Beck's renegotiation with Geffen. Beck released multiple titles on Bong Load including Loser, Mellow Gold, Odelay, Mutations and Midnite Vultures.
Other notable bands from the original Bong Load Custom Records include Wool, Kyuss, The Obsessed, Fatso Jetson, Elliott Smith, Eels, L7, R.L. Burnside and Lutefisk. Stoner rock band Fu Manchu released their first two albums via Bong Load Records.
In 2007, Rothrock briefly relaunched the label with a series of releases, including his own instrumental album Resonator.
In July 2016, Bong Load Records announced a relaunch of the label, now based in Las Vegas, with 7 limited edition vinyl releases: The Killers, Mark Stoermer, Masters of Reality Elliott Smith and Beck.

Discography

2016

2007

  • Tom Rothrock Resonator
  • Roman Carter ''Never Slow Down''

2001

  • Phil Tagliere Slow
  • Richard Thompson Action Packed
  • Various Acid Blues Remix 30 Daz
  • Various Random Hostile Takeover
  • Project K ''Testing Underway ''

2000

  • Beck Midnite Vultures
  • Elliott Smith Figure 8
  • Eels Daisies of the Galaxy
  • Dieselhed ''Chico and the Flute''

1999

  • Various Stoned Again: A Bong Long Records Collection
  • Richard Thompson Mock Tudor
  • L7 Slap Happy
  • Fireball Ministry Ou est la Rock?
  • Poolside Indyglow
  • Dieselhed Elephant Rest Home
  • Jon Brown 70 Years Coming
  • Mountain Con MC Stands for Revolution
  • Slo-Mo ''Novelty''

1998

1996

  • Beck Odelay
  • Lutefisk Burn in Hell Fuckers
  • Andy Kaulkin Six Foot Seven & Rising
  • Lutefisk Tin Man's Cue
  • Kyuss/Wool Split 7" Shine/Short Term Memory Loss
  • Crutch Sold By Weight
  • Vitamade ''Everything You Need''

1995

  • Thrush Hermit Take Another Drag
  • Quinine Regrets Only
  • Lutefisk Deliver from Porcelain: Themes & Variations
  • The Obsessed Altamont Nation
  • Fu Manchu Daredevil
  • Vitamade Vitamade
  • Lutefisk ''Aerosol''

1994

  • Crutch Disgrunted Employee
  • Beck Mellow Gold
  • Beck Steve Threw Up
  • Fu Manchu No One Rides For Free
  • Wool ''Box Set LP w/7"''

1993

1992

  • Muzza Chunka Loaded
  • Wool Mayday
  • Further Filling Station
  • Grimace ''Quagmire''

1991

  • Muzza Chunka ''This is a Chicken Lamp''