TWELVE GAUGE RECORDS

by Jason Walsh


“Jack Osborne had a label and I figured if that asswipe could have one, so could I.”

This is the driving inspiration that led Jihad Rabah to start up his label, Twelve Gauge Records back in 2004. A few months after inception, Rabah released the fledgling company’s debut, the “heavy Heavy Low Low/Courtside Seats” EP. The journey continued from there. A Cypress native who relocated to the States discovered his passion for hard and heavy musicat a young age.

“When I was about ten years old my brother brought home a mix tape that had tracks from Metallica‘s ‘...And Justice For All’ on one side and Iron Maiden’s ‘Fear Of The Dark’ on the other,“ Rabah said. “This tape was played over and over and lead to my interest in aggressive music and as a kid, I began downloading so much cheesy metal albums. When I moved to the States my brothers friend had given me a bunch of MP3 links to bands like Poison The Well, Crestfallen, Pg. 99, which led to my interest in taking things a step further.”

Based out of San Jose, Twelve Gauge Records has dropped twenty releases, on both CD and vinyl format, building an impressive roster of not only California bands, but a few from other locales in the country. One such example is Black Teeth from Peoria, Illinois.

“Jihad from Twelve Gauge got a hold of us after hearing some tracks,” guitarist Nate Woiwode said. “I have no idea how he noticed us or anything because for the most part he only puts out California bands. He's doing a 7" for this band Hell & Reason from the Northwest right now too. Justin (Closed Casket) and Jihad (Twelve Gauge) are behind us 100%. They're both completely legit guys. I can't stand people that are straight to business, those types come across as total fucking boners. Justin and Jihad have both become friends. I'll call almost daily just to shoot the shit with and exchange stupid stories and stuff. Jihad and Justin totally get behind us when we need records or shirts or whatever when we're out on the road.”

Hell & Reason are an aggressive, hard-hitting fusion of hardcore and metal from the Portland and Seattle areas of the Northwest. Their guitarist Jason said coming to Twelve Gauge Records was just the natural option.

“My friend Ben Paulsen played in Set it Straight and so I was always hearing about Jihad and stuff at the label,” he said. “They had a great experience and success on Twelve Gauge, so when it came time to find a label, Twelve Gauge was an immediate option in my head. Jihad is easily the best person I could imagine working with. He constantly asks us ‘what we need’ and is always on the same page as us. Luckily, when our van broke down on tour, we had enough money to pay the bill. But Jihad was there asking us if it was going to be cool and asking what he could do. He doesn't just put out records. He befriends you and constantly gives you as many resources as you need to function beyond selling records.”

This personal commitment to the label’s bands is a reoccurring sentiment echoed by many of the groups under Twelve Gauge. Guitarist Jay McNeilly from Sabretooth Zombie felt lucky to be working with a guy who has such a passion for not only the music but the musicians as well.

“Jihad is one of the good dudes out there,” he said. “And its been like he is more of a 6th member of the band, rather then the head of a label. We had always heard good things from bands he had worked with, and what’s really amazing about Jihad is that he puts out what he loves: genuine people trying to make good music.”

Now coming into his fifth year of operation, Rabah continues to search out new groups to join the Twelve Gauge crew. He said that the deciding factor for putting bands on the label is pretty easy.

“The most important thing for me is to find bands that have good attitudes, are hardworking, and can get along well with me. When it comes to the genre, my past twenty releases have all been hardcore, metal, or punk, but this can easily change as my taste in music broadens. Twelve Gauge Records is a mix tape that will never be finished. My bands keep me going with this. They are some of the best people I've ever worked with and are some of my best friends. They drive me to keep up my label and keep putting out their records. It works out for the both of us. I am very inspired by my bands and have a great deal of respect for them.”

This diversity in styles has kept Twelve Gauge’s soundtrack fresh and new. The current lineup of active artists includes Sabertooth Zombie, Purple Mercy, Heavy Heavy Low Low, Black Teeth and Hell & Reason. Past releases has included joints from Set it Straight, Where Eagles Dare, Hoods, Molotov Soulution, and Countdown. Rabah says his approach with each outfit varies.

“Each one brings something new to the table which keeps me excited to be putting records out. I love the diversity on the label and between all the bands. Sabertooth Zombie is a non-stop, music-making machine, and are some of the funnest dudes to hang out with. Purple Mercy and I relate on a different level, a much higher level (ha). Heavy Heavy Low Low are my best friends and have been controversial since day one which excites me. Black Teeth and Hell and Reason are my two newest and youngest bands, both with tons of motivation and drive. Check them all out.”

Lastly, when asked why should people check out Twelve Gauge Records: “You don't have to listen to any of the bands on my label, but if you don't, you are missing out.”