Stiff Pole Records » Past Features

Stiff’s Last Words

Joe — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:58:49 +0000

So here’s how it played out. Big Stiff decided that the time was right to get back in the music biz. He found two bands that he really liked and knew would be perfect for getting the label revved back up. The records were produced and everyone at Stiff Pole was buzzing with anticipation. The music sounded amazing and the bands began talking about touring and bringing it live. With everything in place and Big Stiff steering the boat there was no way they could lose. Then, unexpectedly, the man with the plan was gone. Stiff passed away leaving everyone very devastated, confused and scrambling for a way to deal with it all. In true punk rock spirit friends and family got together and held a memorial concert in Stiff’s honor. It was a landmark event that brought together bands both past and present that have recorded for the Stiff Pole label and it proved to the world that Stiff Pole Records was very much alive. Although the sadness still lingers, it would have been a major injustice if Stiff Pole Records did not pick itself up, dust itself off and start kicking ass again. Which brings us to today. In memory of a true legend, great friend and one of a kind person Stiff Pole Records is back in action, stronger than ever and ready to take over the world. It’s a party baby and you’re all invited!

Here’s what Stiff wrote for the press releases before he died.

From the sprawling corporate headquarters of Stiff Pole Records, we are as pleased as Citibank after the taxpayer bailout to bring the world
two great (in our humble opinion) new records. By records we mean the
vinyl kind that you need a turntable to play them on. Old school punk
rock (You Betcha) as Sista Sarah Palin likes to say.

The first is Last Great Hope “Like A Revolution” which is 10 songs of the tightest rock your gonna hear, think Green Day only 100 times more punk. Last Great Hope have been around for 7 years and have done The Warped tour a few times and have shared the stage with such luminaries as The Dead Kennedy’s, Circle Jerks and G.B.H. just to name a few. Their driving melodic style has won over audiences all over the states. “Like A Revolution” is a culmination of their experiences, it’s a heartfelt testament too all things punk. This L.P. will not disappoint, it’s a true classic from the moment the needle drops. This is a must have for any and all punk rock aficionado’s. As an added bonus the first 200 mail-order customers will receive yellow vinyl, so collectors take note.

Our second after Bush Cheney (abc) release is by St. Petersburg’s own
punk icon’s The Doll Parts. These four lovley ladies just flat out
fucking rock in the tradition of the Ramones, The Clash, and early 80′s
punk luminaries like Bad Religion and Black Flag. Their debut 12 song
L.P.”Panty Raid” is laden with hooked filled sing along anthems. >From
the opening chords of “Run Like That” till the last crashing drum
symbol on “You Fucked Up” every song on “Panty Raid” will be etched in
your brain for life and that’s a good thing.

We here at Stiff Pole Records have put out over 50 releases and these two are the best, hands down. “Panty Raid” will be sold out very quickly on the first pressing of pink vinyl, so get your orders in quickly.

R.I.P. Stiff

Joe — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:19:27 +0000

The Stiffpole family and the world of music has been dealt a shitty hand. The founder and driving force of Stiffpole Records, Big Stiff, unexpectedly passed away Sunday evening. There is no good way to make this type ofannouncement and it would be a disservice to Big Stiff to turn it into some big pompous, bloated passage, so I won’t. The truth is simple. Stiff was a great friend, a great person and influenced many people and musicians both past and present. He was outspoken, sarcastic, opinionated, cranky at times but had a very big heart. Stiff flew the Punk Rock flag proudly and supported the local music scene for a very long time. Having taken a break from running Stiffpole Records for so many years it was very exciting to see the label off and running again and Stiff was charged and ready to get back in the ring. Although he won’t be with us in body, he will always be with us in spirit and Stiffpole Records will carry on in his name. It’s funny, reading this back I can hear Stiff with a “Jesus Christ” or making some comment about how ridiculous and unnecessary it is to talk about him like this. But that is exactly what you do when you lose someone who meant that much to so many. We will always remember you Stiff and everything we do for the label moving forward is in honor of you. The Stiffpole family will miss you.

Stiff Pole Records is back!

Joe — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:15:14 +0000

Yep Stiff Pole Records is back after a 10 year hiatus, figured when Little Bush & Small Dick were installed in office it might be a good time to get the fuck out of business. But with sell-out Obama it can’t be as bad, as far as I know anyway.

So this is Stiff Pole Records (abc) the (abc) meaning (after bush cheney). We are gonna specialize in vinyl just like when we started. Interestingly there is still a pretty decent back-catalog of CD/Records and we will be selling “Top Shelf” merch like stickers, t-shirts, shot glasses, coolie cups, and a whole host of first rate drinking products. We will strive not to be like other web-sites that just sell something and then say fuck you we have your money, that’s not what we are about. We are about you, the customer, always have been always will be. Bottom line your happy we’re happy. At any rate this is a record label, so this would likely be a good time to let the world know about our first two new records (abc). Doll Parts are a band I saw about a year and a half ago. After seeing them I thought if I still had a label I would put a record out by these girls in a fucking heartbeat. So now the label is up again and the Doll Parts debut 12 song LP will be out soon. It’s good stuff, these Ladies rock. The other release, is by one of my favorite bands around Last Great Hope. This is also 12 songs of some of the tightest punk your gonna hear. Oh yeah both will be on multi colored wax and will come with some cool freebies. Check this site often for promo’s, free stuff and a occasional rant by yours truly or one of our shit-workers/contributors. Cheers Fer Beers, Stiff