Ryan Massey from American Steel starts Lugosi Records
Music News | Aug 15th, 2012
Ryan Massey of American Steel and Communique has started a record label called Lugosi Records. Lugosi will celebrate the opening of its doors with a show at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on August 24th featuring American Steel as well as Massey’s new band, The Reckless Kind. The re-release of American Steel’s classic album Rogue’s March and the release of The Reckless Kind’s debut Golden Age Thinking will coincide with the show, where both will be available for purchase.
Check out “Somewhere Else” a new song from The Reckless Kind off Golden Age Thinking here!
When Sharkbite Studios owner and long time bay area musician Ryan Massey found himself in possession of the master tapes of his former bands (American Steel and Communique) following the dissolution of Lookout Records, he did what most of us would do: he decided to start his own record label, Lugosi Records, and re-release his entire back catalogue himself. Ryan said:
“Lugosi Records is an idea that has floated around for years, and was finally made a reality when Lookout Records saw fit to disband, returning all rights to master recordings back to the artists. We are fortunate that a number of labels friendly to our cause (such as it is) would have been happy to re-release the old Amsteel and Communiqué albums for us. But I have always wanted to have a venue for putting out records by bands that I really enjoy. So, distribution was secured, funding scoured for, and now we find ourselves in business (such as it is).
As for the future of Lugosi, Ryan had this to say:The old American Steel and Communiqué albums will be re-pressed and once again made available. In some cases, remastering and repackaging may be necessary as some of the original materials have been lost. We will also be putting out a handful of new releases a year. In the current climate, it is challenging for musicians to make even the most meager of livings. Yet I find that the importance of music in most people’s lives is undiminished – it is just consumed in new ways. Hopefully this little label can lend some small amount of support to artists who care deeply about their craft, and everyone can have some fun to boot.”
Follow Ryan on twitter @lugosirecords
