BRUTAL PANDA RECORDS is proud (shocked!) to be celebrating its 15th year anniversary as a record label in 2023. To honor the occasion, the label has released a comprehensive sampler to raise money for Save the Music Foundation. The sampler features 50+ new, exclusive and classic tracks, highlighting the roster of BRUTAL PANDA RECORDS over the last decade and a half.

The sampler’s incredible artwork, designed by Orion Landau (Red Fang, YOB, Russian Circles), is an homage to label co-founder, Mike Lara, who unexpectedly passed away in the Summer of 2022.

100% of proceeds raised from the comp will benefit Save The Music, a non-profit delivering equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide across the US.

Additionally, a series of 15th anniversary shows will take place throughout the eastern US with a host of BRUTAL PANDA bands, culminating in a special NYC show at Saint Vitus Bar, co-headlined by Kowloon Walled City and Local H with support from Cherubs, Rid of Me, Primitive Weapons and death pose. A portion of ticket proceeds for this show will also benefit Save The Music.

A complete track list of the label sampler, along with show details, is listed below with additional shows to be announced shortly. Tickets for the NYC and MA shows are on sale now!
BRUTAL PANDA co-founder / owner Bob Lugowe commented on the anniversary and celebrations:

“It’s hard to believe that I’m still running a ridiculously named record label fifteen years after we came up with the idea to release a Fight Amp album on vinyl in an era where MySpace was still the major force in the music industry and physical music was gasping for air. The fact that I decided to take the plunge and try to do it full-time after my amazing friend and partner in crime, Mike Lara, passed away last year, adds to the weight of the choice and the importance of supporting independent art & music in this modern era.

“Mike was a cosmic Taurus who loved the desert (as pictured on the album art), had impeccable taste and passion around music, and strived to make a difficult world a better place by inspiring others to find community, meaning and support through art. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together and know that Mike is with me every step of the way and continues to inspire myself and the bands’, family & friends whose lives he touched to this day.

“Throwing a killer show together and raising money for a good cause is exactly what he would want to be doing if he were still with us. It’s been an incredible journey so far and I can’t thank the bands, labels, fans and friends we’ve made over the years who have trusted us on our mission to defend the faith of heavy music.”
SAVE THE MUSIC Comments:

“Having personally known Mike for what seems like forever, it is surreal to be celebrating such an immense milestone for the label he poured his heart and soul into without him, but it is an honor to carry on his legacy through the power of music while advancing the next generation of artists he fought so passionately for.

“Save The Music is grateful to receive the generous support from Brutal Panda, their incredible roster of bands, and amazing fans to propel our mission forward and help us invest in more local communities nationwide to ensure every student has equitable access to music education and a safe space to connect and explore their inner creativity.”
— Zack Flores, Senior Director of Marketing for Save The Music

Sampler Track List as it currently stands in Bandcamp:

1) Fight Amp – Dead is Dead
2) Kowloon Walled City – The Pressure Keeps Me Alive
3) Cherubs – Crashing the Ride
4) Local H – When Doves Cry (Electric) (Prince Cover)
5) Glassing – Spire
6) Melancholia – Yersinia in Bloom
7) Shock Withdrawal – Sullen
8) Zozobra – The Cruelest Cut
9) death pose – Revisionist
10) Dead Now – Powershapes
11) Boyfrndz – Shape Shifter
12) Night Fishing – Yuppie Cortado
13) Full Bush – Villains
14) Ladder Devils – Get OK
15) Rid of Me – Rid of Me
16) Moon Destroys – Blue Giant (Feat. Troy Sanders of Mastodon)
17) Transit Method – Nightmare Machines
18) Ruby the Hatchet – Easy Livin’ (Uriah Heep Cover)
19) Mantar – 100% (Sonic Youth Cover)
20) Cave In – Jupiter
21) Pelican – Midnight and Mescaline (Live)
22) The Atlas Moth – Holes in the Desert
23) Norska – Samhain
24) Harkonen – Baristas Get Stalked
25) Nomad Stones – Dead Batteries
26) Low Dose – For Sure
27) Primitive Weapons – Quitters Anthem
28) Javelina – Your Gonna Hate This
29) Sweat Lodge – Life Goes On
30) Helms Alee – No Dot
31) Constellatia – Adorn
32) Rivers of Nihil – Rain Eater
33) Horseback – On The Eclipse
34) Intrcptr – Sandstorms
35) Wild Throne – The Wrecking Ball Unchained
36) Desperate Living – Leave It
37) Black Tusk – Fatal Kiss
38) Millions – Kept Alive By Drugs And Magick
39) Shiner – Life as a Mannequin
40) Rabbits – A Reflection (The Cure Cover)
41) Local H – Hands on the Bible
42) Cherubs – Sugary
43) Kowloon Walled City – The Commuter
44) Ladder Devils – Remember The Tooth
45) Fight Amp – Survival Is Strange
46) Glassing – Sulk
47) Melancholia – Silence in the Static Church
48) Ruby the Hatchet – Paralyzed
49) Night Fishing – Slapback Twister
50) Transit Method – Drag the Ghouls
51) Ramming Speed – Speed Trials **
52) Dark Castle – Seeing Through Time ***

BRUTAL PANDA 15th Anniversary Shows:

Saturday December 9th
Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar
15th Anniversary Showcase + Save the Music Fundraiser + Tribute to Mike Lara
Kowloon Walled City
Local H
Cherubs
Rid of Me
Primitive Weapons
death pose

Sunday December 10th
Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
Local H
death pose
Full Bush

Tuesday December 12th
Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Local H
death pose

Wednesday December 13th
Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
Local H
death pose

Thursday December 14th
Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi
Local H
death pose

Friday December 15th
Saint Louis, MO @ Duck Room
Local H
death pose

About BRUTAL PANDA RECORDS:

It all started back in 2008 when two fresh-eyed stoners, Bob from Jersey and Mike from Texas, met while interning at the venerable Relapse Records in Philly. Mike thought it would be “cool” to release a local noise rock band, Fight Amp’s, debut album, on colored vinyl during an era where MySpace was running the industry and physical media was “dead”. Years later the label had the honor of working with some of our all-time fav bands including Local H, Cave In, Kowloon Walled City, Mantar, Ruby the Hatchet, Cherubs, Glassing, Pelican and many more.

About SAVE THE MUSIC:

Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) music education nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. For 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated $70M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,500 schools – impacting millions of students’ lives. And we’re just getting started! Learn more at savethemusic.org