Lookout! Records Closes Their Doors
 

Seminal 90's pop-punk/indie rock label, Lookout! Records is shutting its doors. In a recent blog post, Ted Leo made the informal announcement.

From the Blog

I’ve been getting a lot of Twitter questions about why a bunch of my records have disappeared from all the digital services (Sportify, iDudes, Mandora, etc.). It’s because our beloved Lookout Records, which ceased releasing new material in 2006, but carried on keeping the catalog in print until this past December, has, sadly, shuttered it’s windows for good.

A better eulogy should be forthcoming, but just to answer these questions, this means that these records have reverted to my complete ownership, which is kind of cool in some ways, I guess, except that it also means I have to basically run my own label for them now unless I wind up licensing them to someone else in the future. In the immediate, I have to go through some legal stuff with the digital services to get the records back up online, and I’m hoping to have that all taken care of very soon. Physical records are now officially out of print and will likely not be repressed for a while (but I’m sure I’ll get around to it eventually). I do have a bunch of stock laying around with no plans to tour for quite a while, so if there’s interest, maybe I’ll set up a web-store so you can buy direct from me if you want. Please feel free to email or tweet me with ideas for that. All entertaining ideas will be entertained!

And thank you, seriously, for giving a crap. I’m not happy to see Lookout gone, but having complete rights of usage and total and direct revenue from sales now, can ultimately turn this into a positive situation. I just have to get creative about it. Might try to bang one out more specialTyranny of Distance event before the 10th anniversary year is over this spring…

Submitted by AP_Punk

bummer.

Legendary punk label. RIP

Shame. What a great label back in the day.

Bummer. Bought a lot of stuff from these guys back in the day.

while it was home to many great acts/releases, that whole "not paying bands" thing sucked. regardless of that, it's a bummer to see this come to an official close. hopefully, now that rights have been reverted back to the original artists, we'll see some nice, fancy re-presses of old releases.

and for those interested, here's a lengthy, good read of the label's history: the rise and fall of lookout!

One of the best labels in the '80s and '90s, anyone who listens to pop punk needs to give their catalogue a good listen.

No idea who this label is/who they had signed, anyone notable?

Shame though.

Some of their notables have included Alkaline Trio, The Donnas, Fuel, Green Day, Operation Ivy, Rancid, Screeching Weasel & Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

Really? Green day was on their label from 89-94

wow you're so indie!

Who the fuck hasnt heard of lookout? Jesus, Im only 23 and I feel old as shit

Didnt know Fuel was that popular of a band. If you like Hot Water Music check their album out. It's great

I feel bad for the kid. Making fun of him would be too easy.

The Reputation - To Force A Fate
Communique - Poison Arrows

Two of my favorite albums.

Sucks...

Damn, Was a Good label...

Alkaline Trio you say.

Then they shall be missed.

Oh gosh.

Is there a way to change user names?

Yeah you gotta pay $3 bucks though I believe.

Sad news.

Great album. I'll check out the other one.

"Oh no I can't believe it!" -guy after downloading their whole discography off piratebay

I just think exclamation marks are funny.

Operation Ivy

You might as well have downloaded it all off pirate bay, most the bands say they never got paid.

Like many I bought a tonne of stuff this label put out and it is sad to see it finally go. It's been going to happen any time for about 6/7 years though when the bigger bands pulled their masters.

this news is at least 2 year old.

Aw, damn. That sucks, but the label seemed like they were in turmoil ever since that Green Day fiasco. I hope Ted Leo does something with whatever physical format left in stock (not sure if it's in vinyl or CD though).

Not surprising at all. But there have been so many great acts on this label, so it's a shame.

Sad

To be honest I have never heard of this label before today.

Wow, craziness! This label comprised half of my CD collection in high school. Green Day, OPIV, Screeching Weasel, The Queers, MTX... 25 years is a pretty good run though.

Damn shame.

Lame

Larry Livermore is a legend.

Rest in Peace.

:-(

Damn.

never mind.

go back to listening to your LMFAO.

I had never heard about this label and until hitting them up on google, I had no idea what LMFAO was either, sorry that I do not know every American label, when will people from other countries or who have other priorities learn, god damn I am an idiot.