Fearless Records is an American independent rock label founded in 1994 by Bob Becker in Culver City, California. Now part of Concord, Fearless is home to RIAA-certified Gold artists Pierce the Veil and I Prevail, two-time GRAMMY-nominated metal act August Burns Red, Ice Nine Kills, The Pretty Reckless, Plain White T's, BOYS LIKE GIRLS, and many more. The label is distributed by Universal Music Group, with Craft Recordings handling reissues. Fearless also created the popular "Punk Goes" compilation series, which has sold over 1 million albums and 6 million singles and has featured acts like All Time Low, A Day to Remember, Rise Against, The All-American Rejects, Thrice, and Taking Back Sunday.
Fearless built its reputation on the 1990s and 2000s punk rock and post-hardcore scene. Its early signings (At the Drive-In, Bigwig, The Aquabats, Sugarcult) established the label as a launching pad for respected punk rock acts. The label achieved breakout success with Plain White T's, whose worldwide hit "Hey There Delilah" has been RIAA-certified six times Platinum. Fearless also helped electro-rock act Breathe Carolina build from a developing band to Platinum status with their Top 40 single "Blackout." The modern roster includes Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, August Burns Red, Ice Nine Kills, The Pretty Reckless, and BOYS LIKE GIRLS, representing a continued commitment to rock, metal, and post-hardcore.
How Fearless Operates
Fearless runs dedicated A&R within Concord from its Culver City headquarters. It is distributed by Universal Music Group, giving it major-distribution reach while operating within Concord's independent label group. The label's strength is its long history of breaking rock and punk acts and its "Punk Goes" compilation series, which has introduced generations of rock fans to new acts. Its 2026 roster includes both legacy acts (Plain White T's, BOYS LIKE GIRLS) and newer signings (chokecherry, Taylor Acorn, Minute After Midnight).
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make post-hardcore, pop-punk, metalcore, or alternative rock, Fearless Records is one of the most established independent rock labels, with a 30-year track record of breaking acts from developing bands to Platinum status. Its Concord ownership and UMG distribution give it major-label reach while preserving its rock specialist identity. The "Punk Goes" series provides additional exposure opportunities.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Master ownership: Fearless (via Concord and UMG) owns your masters under a standard deal.
- Rock focus: Fearless signs rock, punk, and metal. Artists outside those genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Fearless does not accept cold submissions.
- Concord integration: Fearless is part of Concord, which affects deal structures.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Billboard 200 Peak | First-Week Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce the Veil | Collide with the Sky (album) | 2012 | No. 12 | 27,000 |
| Pierce the Veil | Misadventures (album) | 2016 | No. 4 | 54,000 (50,000 pure sales) |
| Pierce the Veil | "King for a Day" (single, feat. Kellin Quinn) | 2012 | Rock radio hit | N/A |
| Plain White T's | "Hey There Delilah" (single) | 2006 | No. 1 Hot 100 (2007) | N/A |
| Plain White T's | Every Second Counts (album) | 2006 | Top 50 Billboard 200 | N/A |
| I Prevail | Trauma (album) | 2019 | No. 14 | N/A |
| I Prevail | "Bow Down" (single) | 2019 | No. 32 Hot Rock Songs | N/A |
| A Day to Remember | "All I Want" (Punk Goes compilation track) | 2010 | No. 12 Hot Modern Rock | N/A |
| Plain White T's | "Hey There Delilah" RIAA certification | 2007 | 6x Platinum | N/A |
| I Prevail | "Breaking Down" (single) | 2019 | Rock radio single | N/A |
Video Highlights
Deal Structures
Fearless Records operates within Concord with distribution through Universal Music Group. Its deal types include:
- Traditional recording deals: Fearless offers standard recording contracts where the label (via Concord and UMG) owns the masters. Advances, recording budgets, and marketing are label-funded. This is the most common deal type for new signings.
- Concord label group integration: Because Fearless is part of Concord, deal structures may involve Concord's broader infrastructure. Concord's independent label group provides back-office support while Fearless maintains its rock-focused A&R and brand identity.
- Catalog reissue deals: Craft Recordings (another Concord entity) handles reissues of Fearless catalog titles. This is separate from new artist deals but is part of the Concord ecosystem.
- Compilation deals (Punk Goes series): The "Punk Goes" compilation series features tracks from artists across multiple labels. Fearless licenses tracks from other labels for these compilations, which have sold over 1 million albums and 6 million singles. This creates revenue outside of traditional artist deals.
- No distribution-only deals: Fearless does not offer standalone distribution services. All releases flow through UMG's distribution network.
- Rock and metal specialization: Deal terms are tailored to rock, punk, and metal artists. Touring support is often a component, as these genres rely heavily on live revenue. Merchandise bundling is common in Fearless release strategies.
How Artists Get Signed
- A&R scouting within Concord: Fearless runs dedicated A&R within the Concord label group. A&R reps monitor the rock, punk, and metal scenes through touring circuits, streaming platforms, and genre-specific media (Alternative Press, Rock Sound, Kerrang!).
- Touring and streaming profile: Fearless signs bands that have built a touring following and streaming traction. Pierce the Veil was signed after building a dedicated fanbase through Warped Tour and self-released EPs. I Prevail was signed after their cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" went viral.
- Referrals from managers and agents: Music industry professionals (managers, booking agents, producers) refer bands to Fearless A&R. The rock scene's tight-knit community means personal connections are important.
- No unsolicited demos: Fearless does not accept cold submissions. Artists need representation or must build enough traction to attract A&R attention organically.
- Punk Goes exposure: The "Punk Goes" compilation series has introduced Fearless to bands across the rock scene. Artists who appear on Punk Goes compilations may develop relationships with the label that lead to full deals. A Day to Remember, All Time Low, and Taking Back Sunday all appeared on Punk Goes compilations before achieving broader success.
- Concord and UMG coordination: Signing decisions involve coordination with Concord's label group and UMG's distribution team. Fearless maintains its own A&R identity but leverages Concord's infrastructure for deal structuring and UMG for distribution planning.
Similar Labels
- Hopeless Records - Comparable punk and pop-punk independent label
- Pure Noise Records - Punk and emo label with similar roster model
- Rise Records - Rock and metalcore label
- Epitaph Records - Punk and alternative label with long history
- Fueled By Ramen - Pop-punk and alternative label
- Equal Vision Records - Post-hardcore label (Pierce the Veil's first label)
- Sumerian Records - Metal and rock label
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Fearless deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The Concord label group model
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for rock bands
- Pure Noise Records - A related punk and emo label
- Fearless Records Official Site - Roster and releases
