Skip to main content[CLASSY PUNK] Seven years ago in Seattle, Ken Cheppaikode's Dirtnap Records began releasing music by some of the classiest high-energy punk rock bands around. Many of those bands—including the Exploding Hearts, the Epoxies and the Triggers—were from right here in Portland, so Cheppaikode had some company when he purchased the Green Noise record shop at 2615 SE Clinton St. and moved his label to Stumptown in 2005. Now, as Dirtnap's scope continues to broaden, Cheppaikode has announced plans to launch a new, PNW-centric label imprint, Green Noise Records. Last week, C. answered questions about his imprint, his label and indie-label mogulhood in general from behind the counter of his store.
WW: Have you met your goals with Dirtnap? How did it evolve?
Ken Cheppaikode: I've completely exceeded most of my goals, I think. I always thought it would be cool, in the early days, to get a full-length out at some point, rather than just doing singles. When I first started [Dirtnap], I envisioned it as more of an international garage-punk label where I'd release singles by really obscure bands from all over. That actually changed pretty quick. We did a complete 180 and decided to focus on local stuff instead. None of the local labels were really documenting them at all. So it seemed like a smart move.
So why launch the Green Noise imprint now?
The Green Noise thing, I think, is just returning to our roots as a local, singles-based label. Dirtnap has kind of moved away from that in last few years as it's grown. Right now, for example, we've got no Seattle bands and one Portland band. [With Green Noise] we're going to focus on local stuff and it's all going to be vinyl, 7-inches at first and maybe 12-inches later. We're going back to the early days; kinda doing it for fun and not worrying about distribution and stuff.
What's your best advice to anyone who wants to start a label?
Start small and realize that this is probably one of the worst-ever times, historically, to start a record label. Even in the best of times, it's hard to be a huge money-maker. Just keep your expectations realistic and do it because you love it. If you're just a 7-inch-only label that's only doing local stuff, it's pretty easy to treat it as a hobby. But if you're going to try to do it at a national level, you definitely have to have some kind of head for business. On the other hand, I never studied this in school. I never went to college. I'm not even entirely sure I graduated from high school. If I figured it out, I suppose pretty much anybody could.
For more with Ken C., visit localcut.com. Green Noise begins its 7-inch onslaught in fine PDX fashion with the Absolute Rulers in late November, to be followed by the Nice Boys and previously unreleased Exploding Hearts material.
WWeek 2015