In the summer of 2010, the first Hardcore for Education fundraiser was held to benefit Golden Empire Elementary School in Sacramento, California.
Family friend Dan O’Mahony (known to hardcore music fans as the frontman for No For An Answer, 411, Carry Nation, et al), the idea was born to use the positive energy found in the hardcore music community to help raise money for the school. The funds were used for varied purposes, but mostly to help fund after school band instruction. Dan developed the initial artwork and also helped the school gain some of it’s donations by directly reaching out to people he knew and asking them to join the effort.
Between t-shirt sales and the auctioning of around 25 items (mostly collectible vinyl records), the school was able to raise approximately $3,000.00. To many , this may not seem like much, but to a public school facing consistent budget cuts and counting every penny, $3,000.00 is a lot of money.
By no means is the list below exhaustive, as we are still in the process of updating this website, but the folks below were extremely generous – despite being located nowhere near Golden Empire Elementary school. We urge everybody to support them by going to one of their shows, purchasing some of their records or t-shirts or just sending them an email and letting them know that you appreciate their support. These are not big famous bands or record labels. These folks are more akin to your local “mom and pop” small business. All are true standup folks and deserve your support.
Revelation Records
Revelation Records has been around since the 1980s. They released some of the most well-known hardcore bands records (e.g. Youth of Today, Judge, Gorilla Biscuits, et al). Run by Jordan Cooper, Revelation has released 150+ records over the years.
React! Records
React! Records is based out Seattle, Washington and is run by Aram Arslanian (plays in or has played in: Betrayed, Keep It Clear, The First Step, Champion). React! has released a couple dozen records from bands from the United States to the Ukraine.
Smorgasbord Records
Smorgasbord has been around since the 1980s and has released many bands (including the label owner’s own Up Front). Smorgasbord is run by Jeff Terranova.
One Voice Asia Records
The donations from One Voice Asia Records were rather unexpected. Run by Anis Redmann, One Voice Asia is a whole world away from Golden Empire Elementary. True dedication from Anis!
Mindset
Mindset is a great hardcore band from the US East Coast. Great music and great bunch of guys.
Ken Salerno
Ken Salerno is known for shooting many of the archetypal photos of hardcore bands on the east coast. Excellent photography!
