Italy Records

Italy Records was established in Detroit, Michigan, in 1997 by Dave Buick. The label was created within the city’s active garage-rock and rock-and-roll network and was oriented toward compact, collectible releases rather than a large commercial catalog. Buick described himself as a “record geek,” while accounts associated with the label connect its formation to The Dirtys and their singer Joe Burdick. The first Italy Records release was a Rocket 455 7-inch issued on October 31, 1997, followed shortly by a single from The Dirtys. During its initial phase, Italy Records concentrated on Detroit bands and the surrounding garage-rock scene. Its catalog included the first two 7-inch records by The White Stripes, “Let’s Shake Hands” and “Lafayette Blues.” These releases predated the group’s later international prominence and are among the label’s most historically visible records. Italy also issued “Soledad,” the debut release by The Soledad Brothers, and “Stayed Up Last Night,” identified as the first single by The Greenhornes. Through these releases, the label documented a closely connected group of Detroit musicians and helped put their early recordings into circulation. The label’s first incarnation comprised eleven 45 rpm singles and one mini-LP, Hentch-Forth by The Hentchmen. Jack White of The White Stripes appeared in production or performance roles on at least six of the twelve releases. His involvement illustrates the extent to which Italy Records operated within a shared local scene rather than as an isolated imprint. The label’s releases were small in number but influential in retrospect because several involved artists later acquired broader recognition. Whirlwind Heat’s Glaxefusion 7-inch in 2000 was regarded as the label’s final release from its original period. Italy Records was subsequently revived in 2007 with a single by The Go. Buick and The Hentchmen also revisited the earlier Hentch-Forth project, issuing it in CD form under the title Hentch-Forth.Five and making it available digitally through iTunes. The reissue extended the life of the label’s early catalog beyond its original vinyl format. The available reference material does not document a later corporate owner, major-distributor relationship, continuing release schedule, or confirmed current operations. Italy Records is therefore best understood as a historically important boutique Detroit imprint, with its reputation based on early recordings and scene-level curation rather than on scale. Its catalog connects the late-1990s Detroit garage-rock revival to the later careers of several associated performers.

• 2007

  Label revived

  [1]Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Italy Records returned with a single by Detroit band The Go.

• 2000

  Original release period concludes

  [1]Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Whirlwind Heat’s Glaxefusion 7-inch was described as the label’s supposed final release from its first incarnation.

• 1997

  Label founded in Detroit

  [1]Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Dave Buick established Italy Records as an independent Detroit label focused on garage rock and rock and roll.

• 1997

  First release issued

  [1]Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label released its first 7-inch single, by Rocket 455, on October 31.

• 1997

  Early Detroit catalog develops

  [1]Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Releases by The Dirtys and other local acts established the label’s connection to Detroit’s garage-rock community.

A boutique independent label focused on Detroit garage rock, rock and roll, and limited-format releases by emerging or locally connected artists.

• 7-inch vinyl singles · 1997

  The White Stripes early 7-inch singles

  Italy Records released the first two 7-inch singles associated with The White Stripes, “Let’s Shake Hands” and “Lafayette Blues.” They are central to the label’s historical profile because they capture the band at an early stage and link the imprint to the Detroit garage-rock network before The White Stripes achieved wider international recognition.

• Mini-LP

  Hentch-Forth

  Hentch-Forth was a mini-LP by The Hentchmen and formed part of Italy Records’ original twelve-release catalog. Jack White was involved with the project. The record was later revisited in CD and digital form under the title Hentch-Forth.Five, extending the availability of the early release beyond its initial physical format.

• 7-inch single

  Soledad

  “Soledad” was the debut release by The Soledad Brothers. Its inclusion in the Italy Records catalog reflects the label’s preference for early singles from Detroit-associated garage-rock and rock-and-roll performers.

• 7-inch single

  Stayed Up Last Night

  “Stayed Up Last Night” was identified as the first single by The Greenhornes. The release is part of the small but influential group of early Detroit-linked recordings for which Italy Records is best known.

• 7-inch single · 2000

  Glaxefusion

  Glaxefusion was a 7-inch release by Whirlwind Heat and was regarded as the apparent final release of Italy Records’ first operating period. It marks the close of the label’s initial run before its later revival.

• CD and digital reissue · 2007

  Hentch-Forth.Five

  Hentch-Forth.Five was a later CD reissue and retitled version of The Hentchmen’s Hentch-Forth. The project was also distributed digitally through iTunes, demonstrating an effort to preserve and extend the label’s earlier catalog in formats beyond its original vinyl release.

• 2007

  Revival of the label and catalog reissueStrategy

  Background

  After the apparent conclusion of Italy Records’ initial run around 2000, the imprint was brought back with a release by The Go. The period also included renewed availability of The Hentchmen’s earlier material.

  Action taken

  Italy Records issued a new single by The Go and re-released Hentch-Forth in CD form as Hentch-Forth.Five, with a digital iTunes edition.

  Aftermath

  The revival preserved and expanded access to the label’s historical catalog, although the available source does not establish a continuing release program or current operating status.

  Source

1. 1Italy Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archived Italy Records official websiteitalyrecordsdetroit.bigcartel.com