# Your Choice Records

Your Choice Records was a German independent record label that was founded in 1988 by producer Tobby Holzinger. The label specialized in independent punk music, including live releases of German and other international acts. Holzinger provided a share of the record sale profit to various animal rights organisations.
The label maintained a strict DIY ethic, producing all of its albums by itself and selling them at discount prices without the help of major distributors.
Your Choice Records existed in the early days of hardcore, inspired by the spirit of labels like Dischord Records, Alternative Tentacles, SST Records and Touch and Go Records. Early releases by Your Choice were relatively well-produced compared to other punk live recordings of the time.

## Roster

Bands such as So Much Hate, Ripcord, Life... But How To Live It?, Verbal Assault, Arm, Target of Demand, Raped Teenagers, Pullermann, Kina, Scream, NoNoYesNo, Melvins, Neurosis, Steel Pole Bath Tub, Party Diktator, Wasteland, Helios Creed, The Notwist, Shudder to Think, Articles of Faith, Leatherface, Jawbox, Poison Idea, Hard-Ons, Lars Holzapfel, Wool, Samiam, Plexus, Headroom, Overdose, Girls Against Boys, Texas Is the Reason and The (International) Noise Conspiracy have released records on Your Choice.

## Band / Year / Line-up

* So Much Hate (1988) - Line up: PER ARNE-BASS, BØRRE-GUITAR, GUNNAR-VOCALS, FINN ERIK-DRUMS
* Ripcord (1988) - Line up: JIM-BASS, BAZ-GUITAR, STEVE-VOCALS, JOHN-DRUMS
* Life... But How To Live It? (1989) - Line up: ROGER-GUITAR, KATJA-VOCALS, TOM-BASS, DYRET-DRUMS
* Verbal Assault (1989) - Line up: DOUGH-DRUMS, CHRIS-VOCALS, PETE-GUITAR, DARREN-BASS
* Arm (1989) - Line up: DANIELLE-VOCALS, MARKUS-GUITARS, STEPHAN-DRUMS, UWE-BASS, TOM-SOUNDMASTER
* Target of Demand (1989) - Line up: JOHNNY-BASS, MOPS-GUITAR, RAINER-VOCALS, HUCKEY-DRUMS, PETERL-SUPPORT
* Raped Teenagers (1989) - Line up: PARTIK-GUITAR, PETER-DRUMS, OLA-BASS
* Pullermann (1989) - Line up: JÖRG-GUITAR, CYBELLE-VOCALS, TOBIAS-BASS, STEPHAN-DRUMS, S.A.M.-VOCALS
* Kina (1990) - Line up: SERGIO-DRUMS / VOCALS, ALBERTO-GUITARS / VOCALS, GIANPIERO-BASS / VOCALS
* Scream (1990) - Line up: FRANZ-GUITARS, SKEETER-BASS, PETER-VOCALS, DAVID-DRUMS, ANNOUNCER-JOSEF KLUMB
* NoNoYesNo (1991) - Line up: CLOAT-OINK, CONSTANTIN-BRAVOMAT, DALIBOR-SCHLÄGER, EMMO WEBER-MINISTER OF DRUNKENNESS, FRANK BLUME-MINISTER OF TRAFFIC, SASCHA-SCHOPPING, TOBBY-MELVIN, TOMASSO-KNÖDEL
* Melvins (1991) - Line up: LORAX-BASS, KINGBUZZO-VOCALS / GUITAR, DALEDOE-DRUMS / VOCALS
* Neurosis (1992) - Line up: JASON JAMES-DRUMS, DAVE EDWARDSON-VOICE/BASS, SCOTT KELLY-VOICE/GUITAR, STEVE VON TILL-GUITAR
* Steel Pole Bath Tub (1991 / 1992) - Line up: DALE FLATTUM-BASS/VOC., DARREN MIR-X - DRUMS, MIKE MALESTEEN-G./VOC.
* Party Diktator (1992) - Line up: MATTHIAS-BASS, OLE-GUITAR, POPEL-DRUMS, NIC-THROAT
* Samiam (1992 / 1996) - Line up: SERGIE LOOBKOFF-GUITAR, JAMES BROGAN-GUITAR, JASON BEEBOUT-VOCALS, AARON RUBIN-BASS, MP-DRUMS
* Articles of Faith (1992) - Line up: VIRUS X - DRUMS, DAVE SHIELD - BASS / VOC., JOE SCUDARI - GUIT., DORIAN TASKBASKSH - GUIT., VIC BONDI - VOC. / GUIT.
* Leatherface (1993) - Line up: ANDREW LAING - DRUMS, ANDREW CRIGHTON - BASS, DICKIE HAMMOND - GUITAR, FRANKIE STUBBS - VOCALS / GUITAR
* Poison Idea (1993) - Line up: JERRY A. - VOCALS, THEE SLAYER HIPPY - DRUMS, MONDO - GUITAR, MYRTLE TICKNER - BASS
* Wasteland (1993) - Line up: BJØRN, KARL, KÖPPE
* Helios Creed (1993) - Line up: HELIOS CREED-GUIT./VOC., CHRIS Mc KAY-BASS, PAUL DELLA PELLE-DRUMS, Z SILVER-SYNTHS/SAMPS
* Girls Against Boys (1993) - Line up: ELI JANNEY-NO.2 VOC., BASS, KEYBOARD, JOHNNY TEMPLE-BASS, SCOTT McCLOUD-NO.1 VOC., GUITAR, ALEXIS FLEISIG-DRUMS
* The Notwist (1994) - Line up: MICHA ACHER - BASS, MARKUS ACHER - GUITAR / VOCALS, MECKY MESSERSCHMIDT - DRUMS
* Shudder to Think (1994) - Line up: STUART HILL-BASS, NATHAN LARSON-GUITAR, MIKE RUSSELL-DRUMS, CRAIG WEDREN-VOC./GUIT
* Jawbox (1994) - Line up: GUITAR / "VOICE" - J.ROBBINS, GUITAR / OTHER VOICE - W.C.*DB BARBOT, BASS GUITAR - KIM COLETTA, DRUMS - LOVEY
* Hard-Ons (1994) - Line up: RAY -BASS, BLACKIE - GUITARS / VOCALS, KEISH - VOCALS / DRUMS
* Lars Holzapfel (1995) - Line up: LARS HOLZAPFEL
* Wool (1995) - Line up: PETE STAHL - VOCALS / GUITAR, FRANZ STAHL - GUITAR / VOCALS, AL BLOCH - BASS / VOCALS, CHRIS BRATTON- DRUMS
* Plexus (1995) - Line up: D.V/D ELSKEN - DRUMS, VOC., SLIDE GUITAR, B.WARNING - GUITAR, LEAD VOC., J.BIJLEVELD - BASSGUITAR
* Headroom (1996) - Line up: PATRICK-GUITARS/VOCALS, THEISEN-DRUMS, WILLIAM-B, PETE-VOCALS
* Overdose (1996) - Line up: ROBBY ALBRECHT-GUITARS, OLIVER SCHULZE-HERGEL-BASS, JÖRG MUDERS-DRUMS
* Texas is the Reason (1996) - Line up: GERRET KLAHN-VOCALS/GUITAR, CHRIS DALY-DRUMS, SCOT WINEGARD-BASS, NORM ARENAS-GUITAR
* The (International) Noise Conspiracy (2002) Line up: DENNIS LYXZÉN-VOCALS, SARA ALMGREN-GUITAR, KEYBOARD, LUDWIG DAHLBERG-DRUMS, INGE JOHANSSON-BASS, LARS STRÖMBERG-GUITAR, VOCALS

## Opinions

   The Melvins' installment in the Your Choice Live series is decidedly on the sludgy side. Fans of the band's earlier output will rejoice at the track listing, which comprises tracks from Gluey Porch Treatments, Ozma, and Bullhead. Furthermore, the recording quality is excellent; perhaps not Fillmore East excellent, but for a punk club setting, this is primo.
   Shudder to Think's live show has always been built on excitement and musical friction, and Your Choice Live Series captures the band at its tightest. This would prove to be original drummer Mike Russell's last recording with the band before leaving to become a teacher, but it doesn't stop the record from taking flight. Craig Wedren's voice is as clear and operatic as it is on their studio records.
   Their shows were clinics in intensity and band chemistry. They had one of the finest rhythm sections of their time in bassist Kim Coletta and drummer Zach Barocas (affectionately credited as "Lovey" in the sleeve -- don't be fooled), and guitarists J. Robbins and Bill Barbot always created an unholy racket in the vein of Gang of Four, Big Black, and Naked Raygun. One might pity those who never saw this mighty band in action, but this series offers a fine substitute.

## Gallery

* Pete Chramiec (Verbal Assault) - recording a live album in Germany (1989)
* Dave Grohl (Scream) recording a live album in Germany (1989)
* Skeeter Thompson (Scream) recording a live album in Germany (1990)
* Dale Crover (Melvins) - recording a live album in Germany (1991)
* Steel Pole Bath Tub - recording a live album in Germany (1992)
* Vic Bondi (Articles of Faith) recording a live album in Germany (1992)
* Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys) - recording a live album in Germany (1993)
* Mecki Messerschmidt (The Notwist) recording a live album in Germany (1994)
* Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think) - recording a live album in Germany (1994)
* Franz Stahl, Al Bloch, Pete Stahl, Chris Bratton (Wool) - after recording a live album in Germany (1995)