Interview: Eric Mueller (Pirates Press Records)

San Fransisco, California's Pirates Press is about to celebrate their 9th anniversary in business with a series of shows over the weekend of November 1st-3rd. Bands who are set to play include the Street Dogs, FM359, Bishops Green, Harrington Saints, Downtown Struts and more. I got a chance to exchange emails with founder Eric Mueller and discuss Pirate's Press role in manufacturing records, running a record label, and the company's past, present, and future.

Ramble and Roll: Pirates Press is about to celebrate it's ninth year in business. How did it all come to be and did you ever expect the level of success you have achieved?

Eric Mueller: From a manufacturer's standpoint, I started pressing records for another company straight out of college and learned "what not to do" in so far as keeping customers and employees happy, and after being fed up with the feeling of knowing that it could be done better, we started Pirates Press. It was relatively easy to see that our model worked, and our model was expandable in a way that could provide for more people and make a bigger impact on the story of vinyl. We turned our confidence in that, and our desire to treat people in the way that wanted to be treated into a lot of strong relationships that have continued to grow, and give us something we're unbelievably proud of! 

From a label's perspective - you can only press records for other people for so long before you get the itch, and have to press some for yourself. The records we choose to be involved with are all favorites in the office, friends of the Pirates, and bands we can collectively stand behind. Lots of Pirates have brought different projects to the table, and that's the thing we love most about our label. It's a reflection of lots of the tastes in our office, and also in many ways all of the super high-end and collectable products that we can make. We're happy that other people are enjoying our releases as much as they are, and hope that we continue to have the privilege and honor to be a part of so many amazing records, and the careers of so many legendary hard-working bands!

RNR: How do you think the role of a record label has changed in the digital age? What are some of the pros and cons of running a record label with today's technology?

EM: You simply cant look at it the same - it's a world of difference from the days when downloads just didn't exist. In many ways, lots of labels, include many elements of ours simply try to break even. We're lucky to be in a position that we don't have to rely on the label to pay our bills. If it did, we would not be releasing the type of records and the amount of records that we are. We hope to show people who do it for the passion though, that it is possible - real music fans will always want to tangibly support their favorite artists, and the punk scene particularly so. While we include digital downloads in most of our vinyl (and do sell some CD's and normal download options), we try to give people a reason to collect VINYL. 

RNR: What do you look for in bands when you're deciding who to work with?

EM: See above. It's stuff that some, or all of the pirates fall in love with and get behind. Some bands involve Pirates, some are friends of Pirates, local favorites, and of course lots of bands that we simply stand behind and want to help get their music to the masses.

RNR: How has the resurgence of vinyl affected your business and the way you do things?

EM: It is the only reason Pirates Press exists.

RNR: You guys have done a lot of unique items and limited pressings. What has been your favourite special release so far?

EM: That's too tough to call... but I'd have to say if I HAVE to choose, it's still a tie: The Cock Sparrer boxset and the Rancid boxset w/ Louisville Slugger.

RNR: Is there a special or limited release you've always wanted to do but haven't had the chance yet?

EM: Would love to do a CLASH ESSENTIALS boxset and donate all the proceeds to STRUMMERVILLE. (...if it weren't for all the legal hoops we'd have to jump through! )

RNR: Having been introduced to a lot of my favourite music through compilations like “Strength Thru Oi!” and “Oi! The Album”, I was a big fan of your own compilation series “Oi! This Is Streetpunk”. How did the idea for the compilations arise and do you have plans to release any more volumes or other similar compilations?

EM: We needed a way to get a lot of these new bands' music out to the masses, and really show how strong of a resurgence that Oi! and Streetpunk were in the midst of - and what better way than a comp. We invited lots of our friends and got more songs than we could use - so we started compiling another but needed some more tracks. We did the same thing and the same thing happened again... hence, V3!  Aiming to put out Volume 4 in April. Stay tuned!

RNR: Before internet people would buy albums based solely on the label putting it out (Like Fat Wreck, or Epitaph). I find that Pirate's Press has become on of those labels where I can pick up any record you've released and have it be a quality record. Is that something you strive for does it happen naturally based on the bands you work with?

That is our biggest goal with the label for sure. We try to hold ourselves to high standards and a bar for packaging being set higher and higher, and we hope that people continue to see that we put a lot of care into each release, and try and give those bands that we love the opportunity to have some killer merch, and a little bit of extra promotion for all their hard work! 

RNR: What are you plans for Pirates Press going forward into its tenth year and beyond?

EM: Lots in the works still for the rest of this year - but we have some goodies we're working out for the new year. We're really excited about FM359, and seeing the impact that they can have (in more than one scene/genre) - the band is brilliant and the full length is unreal - We're so excited to be involved in bringing that whole package to the table, and really looking forward to seeing their LIVE debut this November in SF! 

Pirates Press 9th Anniversary Weekend. Nov 1st-3rd

Pirate's Press 9th Anniversary Weekend 
Pirates Press Records Official Site 
Pirates Press - Independent Custom Manufacturing
Pirates Press On Facebook