Epitaph Records

Epitaph Records is an American independent punk and alternative label founded in 1980 by Brett Gurewitz in Los Angeles. It built its reputation on 1990s punk with The Offspring (whose Smash became one of the best-selling independent albums of all time), Rancid, and NOFX. Epitaph operates the ANTI- and Hellcat sublabels and is distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA, part of Warner Music Group). The modern roster includes Sleeping With Sirens, The Ghost Inside, Every Time I Die, and other acts across punk, post-hardcore, and metalcore.

Epitaph was founded by Brett Gurewitz (guitarist of Bad Religion) as a vehicle for releasing Bad Religion records, but it grew into one of the most successful independent punk labels in history. The Offspring's Smash (1994) sold over 11 million copies worldwide, proving that independent punk labels could achieve major-label-level commercial success. The ANTI- sublabel, founded in 1999, focuses on alternative and roots music (Tom Waits, Neko Case, Nick Cave). Hellcat Records, founded by Rancid's Tim Armstrong, focuses on punk, ska, and psychobilly.

The Offspring's "Self Esteem" from Smash (1994) remains one of the most streamed videos on Epitaph's official YouTube channel, with over 125 million views. The album Smash itself has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling independent albums of all time. The single reached number one in Iceland, Norway, Latvia, and Sweden.

Notable Artists and Releases

Epitaph's catalog spans over four decades of punk, post-hardcore, and alternative rock. The label's most significant artists and releases include:

• The Offspring (catalog): Smash (1994) sold over 11 million copies worldwide and remains the best-selling album released on an independent punk label. "Come Out and Play" (1994) and "Self Esteem" (1995) were both radio and MTV hits. The Offspring later moved to Columbia Records but their Epitaph catalog remains a cornerstone of the label's history.
• Rancid (active): Signed to Epitaph in the early 1990s. ...And Out Come the Wolves (1995) is considered a punk rock classic, featuring "Ruby Soho" and "Time Bomb." The album was certified platinum. Rancid's Tim Armstrong also founded the Hellcat Records sublabel under Epitaph.
• NOFX (catalog): Punk in Drublic (1994) is regarded as one of the defining skate punk albums. The band released most of their catalog on Epitaph before starting their own label, Fat Wreck Chords, for some releases.
• Bad Religion (active): Founded by Epitaph owner Brett Gurewitz. The Process of Belief (2002) and Age of Unreason (2019) were released on Epitaph. The band has been on the label for most of their career, with brief departures to Atlantic Records in the 1990s.
• Sleeping With Sirens (active): Originally on Rise Records, the band later moved to Epitaph. Madness (2015) was their Epitaph debut. "If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn" has over 161 million streams on Spotify.
• The Ghost Inside (active): Signed to Epitaph following the band's recovery from a devastating 2015 tour bus crash. The Ghost Inside (2020) was their first album after the crash, released on Epitaph.
• Social Distortion (active): Born to Kill (May 8, 2026) is their first album in 15 years and their Epitaph debut. The album was produced with 11 songs of what the label describes as "pure rock and roll fury." The title track video was directed by Lance Bangs.
• The Bobby Lees (active): Signed to Epitaph in 2025. New Self (June 12, 2026) is their Epitaph debut, produced by Dave Sardy and Alex Pasco in Los Angeles. The band hails from Woodstock, NY.
• LEAP (active): London-based alt-rockers signed to Epitaph in 2026 following the success of their self-released debut album Entropy (2025), which surpassed 21 million global streams and reached the Top 20 on German official charts.
• KidsNextDoor (active): Punk/hip-hop collective from Charlotte, NC, signed to Epitaph. Their single "Megan" fuses hip-hop, trap, and punk elements.

Two additional music videos from Epitaph's roster are embedded below. Rancid's "Ruby Soho" (1995) has over 14 million views on Epitaph's YouTube channel. Social Distortion's "Born to Kill" (2026) is the title track from their first album in 15 years.

How Epitaph Operates

Epitaph runs dedicated A&R under founder Brett Gurewitz from its Los Angeles headquarters. It is distributed by ADA (Warner Music Group), giving it major-distribution reach while remaining independently owned. The label's strength is its 40-year history of signing artists who define punk and alternative movements, and its multi-label structure (Epitaph, ANTI-, Hellcat) allows it to cover punk, post-hardcore, alternative, and roots music. Its A&R favors artists with strong touring followings and distinct artistic identities.

Deal Structures and Royalties

Epitaph operates as an independently owned label with major-distribution reach through ADA (Warner Music Group). Typical deal structures include:

• Traditional recording deal: Epitaph funds recording, marketing, and distribution. Artists receive an advance against royalties. Independent label royalty rates typically range from 18% to 25% of suggested retail price. Standard deductions apply for packaging, free goods, and video costs. Advances at Epitaph can be larger than at smaller indies due to the label's commercial success with The Offspring and its ADA distribution deal.
• Master ownership: Epitaph typically owns master recordings for the deal term. The label has a history of working with artists across multiple albums, and catalog reissues (NOFX, The Offspring) remain a revenue stream.
• Creative control: Epitaph is known for giving punk and alternative artists creative latitude. Founder Brett Gurewitz, himself a musician in Bad Religion, understands the punk ethos and does not impose commercial direction on signings.
• Touring focus: Epitaph's A&R model favors bands with strong touring followings. The label's biggest successes (The Offspring, Rancid, The Ghost Inside) built their careers through relentless touring before and during their label tenure. Bands without a live following face a disadvantage in Epitaph's signing process.
• Multi-label structure: Epitaph operates ANTI- (alternative and roots music, founded 1999) and Hellcat Records (punk, ska, psychobilly, founded by Tim Armstrong). Artists may be signed to any of the three labels depending on genre fit. ANTI- Records operates with its own A&R focus on alternative, roots, and singer-songwriter music.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make punk, post-hardcore, metalcore, or alternative rock, Epitaph Records is one of the most historically significant independent punk labels, with a 40-year track record of signing artists who define punk movements. Its track record with The Offspring, Rancid, and NOFX shows it can achieve major-label-level commercial success from an independent base. Its ANTI- sublabel provides a pathway for alternative and roots artists.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Genre focus: Epitaph signs punk, post-hardcore, and alternative. Artists outside those genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: Epitaph does not accept cold submissions.
• Touring expectations: Epitaph's model favors bands with strong touring followings.
• Legacy roster: Many of Epitaph's biggest signings (The Offspring, NOFX) are catalog acts. The current roster is less prominent.

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What an Epitaph deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The indie punk model
• Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for punk bands
• Fat Wreck Chords - A related punk label founded by NOFX's Fat Mike
• ANTI- Records - Epitaph's alternative and roots sublabel
• Hopeless Records - Comparable independent punk label
• Rise Records - Comparable post-hardcore and metalcore label
• Fearless Records - Comparable punk and alternative label
• Pure Noise Records - Comparable punk and post-hardcore label
• Epitaph Records Official Site - Roster and releases