Founded by Olympia-born music fanatic/fanzine editor Bruce Pavitt and Seattle-based promoter and radio host Jonathan Poneman after the pair decided to document the obscure underground punk scenes cropping up in the Pacific NorthWest, Seattle’s Sub Pop Records was, and remains, a label born out of pure passion for music, mixed in with a whole lot of bravado.
Its long-standing motto, "Going out of business since 1988”, may seem tongue-in-cheek given how much the label is celebrated globally for its pivotal role in fostering the grunge scene and unearthing Nirvana, but the Sub Pop journey has been far from smooth.
Often scrambling to keep afloat amidst financial struggles and internal conflict, what the Seattle label has never lacked is personality, as evidenced by its extensive, eclectic roster. Spanning three and a half decades, the Sub Pop catalogue ventures everywhere from garage rock to folk to psychedelic rock to post-punk, while retaining a distinct regional identity.
The label that served as the beating heart of grunge in the late '80s and '90s, has cleverly and cannily adapted to live on into the 21st century. Here is the Sub Pop story told through five essential albums.
