Drastic Plastic Records Competitors

About Hopeless Records and Fat Wreck Chords Founded in 1993 as an excuse to release a Guttermouth seven-inch, Hopeless Records has been a defining force in alternative music for more than three decades. In that time, the Van Nuys, California-based indie label has guided the careers of influential acts ranging from platinum and gold-selling bands like All Time Low, Avenged Sevenfold, and Neck Deep, to Thrice, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, Sum 41, and New Found Glory. Today, Hopeless’ roster features an array of the hottest emerging acts like Michael Clifford, Sweet Pill, Melrose Avenue, Arankai, Scene Queen, NOAHFINNCE, and TX2, and aims to reflect the increasing diversity of the alternative genre - women make up 50% of the roster, and more than 40% of Hopeless’ artists identify as LGBTQ+. In 2025, Hopeless Records announced a partnership and acquisition with San Francisco-based punk label, Fat Wreck Chords. Founded in 1990 by NOFX’s Fat Mike and Erin Burkett, Fat helped define '90s punk through releases from NOFX, No Use For A Name, Lagwagon, Propagandhi, and Good Riddance. Fat Wreck Chords represents one of the largest and most iconic punk catalogs in history. Through it all, Hopeless has stayed true to Founder and President Louis Posen’s mission to make a positive impact through music. The Hopeless Foundation has donated over three million dollars to more than 150 charities, connecting artists and fans with impactful causes and cementing Hopeless as a leading name in both music and philanthropy. In 2024, the Hopeless Foundation helped to establish the Hopeless Music Academy, a free music education and mentorship program created to uplift young creatives from underserved communities through hands-on training, studio access, and guidance from industry professionals.

Epitaph Records is an independent music label founded in Los Angeles by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Early releases from a variety of punk heavyweights spawned what became known as the 90s punk explosion. Along the way Epitaph proudly launched its sister label ANTI-, representing unique and distinguished acts. From the beginning Epitaph’s mission has been to serve the musicians on its diverse and creative roster - an artist-first model, radical twenty years ago, and much imitated today.

Fat Wreck Chords is an indie label co-founded in San Francisco by NOFX frontman Fat Mike (Michael Burkett) and Erin Kelly-Burkett, in 1990. The first wave of bands signed to FAT (No Use For A Name, NOFX, Propagandhi, Lagwagon, and more) shaped what became known as the Fat Wreck sound. FAT continues to be an artist-friendly label and has a unique business model of signing bands to one record deals. Going on its third decade, FAT boastfully remains a 100% independently owned and operated company.