PopHorror Let's Get Scared
We Are Horror Records has been a full-speed freight train in the horror music scene. The main difference from years ago is that every band in the genre used to croon like Elvis. There’s a great mix of bands today that reject that idea and want to create something fun. We Are Horror Records is that fun. The label is on its third compilation with over 30 bands on each album. They also have a roster of signed talent in horror music. Horror Punks Not Dead Vol. 3 has dropped and is available on both physical media and music streaming apps.
Though based in the UK, We Are Horror Records has a global reach. You never know who will be featured on their compilations. We got to talk with Dan Phillips, the owner of We Are Horror Records, and jack of all trades in the horror community. From composers to bands trying to make it in the horror music genre, know his name in one way or another.
Dan Phillips; Owner of We Are Horror Records
PopHorror: How did We Are Horror Records come to be?
Dan; Initially, I was doing a radio show called “Horrorpunk’s Not Dead!” on Moshville Radio, which was proving to be quite successful. Now, ever since I was younger I have always really loved compilation albums! Fat Wreck, Hellcat, Epitaph, Fiendforce, the Tony Hawk game soundtracks, etc.
So I came up with the idea of doing a compilation album of my own, because of all the new contacts I had from the radio show. Also, not much seemed to be happening in the scene. I have always been obsessed with music, but unfortunately, I can’t hold a tune myself…I do play guitar quite badly though! The radio show and then the record label became a way for me to positively contribute to a scene I have loved since my late teens. From
the earliest days up to the present day.
I was tutored, by a renowned label owner. I’m confident I’m on the right track. However, I am always eager to learn something new! In a nutshell… We Are Horror Records sprang to life initially as a “home” for this first compilation as I didn’t want to “do it for the sake of it,” the comp took on the name of the radio show and the rest, as they say, is history.
PopHorror: You have released 3 compilations featuring some great bands entitled ‘Horrorpunk’s Not Dead!’, what was the process of communication with the artists and distributing?
Dan: The compilations have always been a labor of love. They are a surprising amount of work for the uninitiated! The learning curve was steep initially, but I feel like the systems I have in place will help me going forward. At first, I curated many of the bands and once bands had caught wind of the compilation in the works, they approached me instead! Vol. 2 was much the same, initially with me reaching out to bands, and being approached by other bands.
Fortunately, by this point, I had managed a small buzz around the label, which meant more people were willing to work with me! The compilations are a great way to put a bunch of great bands together, and do something cool! It’s a great (and quick) way to expose people to bands they may not be familiar with. Vol. 3 has just been released (April 5th) with that release, I have already found myself moving away from strictly “horror punk”, and moving towards “horror music” to avoid the label being pigeonholed as a strictly “punk” label. I love so many different genres of music I think narrowing my margins and vision would be foolish, especially this early in the label’s existence.
PopHorror: You took a small break last year away from the label and it almost ended. What motivated you to bring it back?
Dan; The hiatus I took last year wasn’t necessarily a planned thing, it was out of the need to be a good husband and father. I had to prioritize my family over running the label. Once we had weathered the storm, and I was in a better place mentally, the first thing I planned to do was take MORE time off. I was at a crossroads, either I bring the label back and go harder than ever, or I let it disappear. in January 2024, I announced the resurrection of the label, and people seemed happy… So far, so good!
PopHorror: So far, how many bands have participated in the compilations in the past?
Dan; Ooh, that is a good question! Considering how picky I can be, I’m constantly surprised by how well-revered the compilations already are! I try not to have too many bands running back-to-back across two compilations, and the requests to submit a track can sometimes be overwhelming!… as for a quantifiable number… I believe we’re up to 114 so far!
PopHorror: What do you see in the future of horror punk?
Dan; My only hope is that we can move away more from the “dollar store Misfits” type bands… I’m not sure how many more Misfits covers I can take frankly! As for the future, I’m looking forward to a new generation of future headliners who can take this to the next level Horror punk, the scene, although rabid is pretty small and incestuous (in the sense that most people have 2-3 bands!).
Great songwriting is key, and in my opinion, good production is also key, with the ready availability of so many audio recording interfaces there’s no excuse to be releasing music that sounds like it was recorded in a bin… so yeah hopefully much less of that too!
PopHorror: Would you say there has been a resurgence of the genre?
Dan; I believe the scene has been slowly enjoying a renaissance since around 2018 or so… There are more great bands and outlets for horror than ever before.
Pumpkin Guts new single featured on Horror Punk’s Not Dead Vol. 3
PopHorror: What bands should everyone be watching for in 2024?
Dan; I say my most recent signing Toria and The Terror. A relative unknown within the wider scene, but watch this space! Other bands to watch this year are Won’t Stay Dead, who will have their second album dropping, and Pumpkin Guts, who is getting better with every passing release!
Tricie and The Phantom Punks are picking up momentum, Zombina and The Skeletones are back from the dead and that is so cool! A band in the UK called Video Nasties (on APF Records) is due to drop their second album, and it will be a barnburner! Zombie Apocalypse from New York are due to drop their third album this year… It’s a great year for new music!
PopHorror: Do you think you are headed in the right direction with your resurrection?
Dan; For sure! Since coming back I have made a conscious effort to not overstretch myself, so my pace has slowed right down, enabling me to give more of the bands a lot more focus and time to let things marinate. I have a lot of new systems and ideas coming into play, so 2024 is going for world domination or bust!
PopHorror: What are your personal goals for the label this year?
Dan; Number one, the biggest goal has to be increasing visibility, getting the bands and the label into much more prominent positions. In my head, if my label isn’t the best in the world, then I’m not trying hard enough!
I’m making a concerted effort to push the label into the vinyl market this year. People often seem to like the idea of vinyl… but it’s not an easy sell. With its high upfront costs, it’s a risk, but one I have to take if I want this label to level up. I’m not here this time to “play” record labels.
PopHorror: The lineup for your label seems concrete from previous years for the most part, would you say a lot of your artists weathered the storm after a small hiatus?
Dan; I maintained many of the bands from the labels’ initial existence, bands generally come and go, that is just the way labels run. The hiatus ended up being a vehicle for me to be able to wipe the slate clean in a way, so the roster is slowly coming back.
I’m being much more picky this time around. Being unafraid to say “no” has been one of my biggest lessons over the past 18 months. Other record labels were borne out of my hiatus, so at least something good came out of a crappy situation, and hey, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone.
Thank you for your time, Dan! Here’s some more info from the man himself!
General label notes:
We Are Horror Records is an independent record label that promotes horror-inspired musicians worldwide. We aim to redefine the horror genre by celebrating diverse, innovative, and authentic artists who dare to push the limits of sound and imagination.
Current roster:
Dead Pleasures (UK)
Los Morts (Peru)
Pretty With the Lights Out (USA)
Pumpkin Guts (USA)
Siblings Of Samhain (UK)
The Deathtones (USA)
Tomb of Nick Cage (USA)
Toria and The Terror (UK)
Tricie and The Phantom Punks (USA)
Won’t Stay Dead (USA)
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