Huntington’s hardcore headquarters

Nestled in the center of the county’s hardcore-music scene, Revelation

records has been putting out power-chord driven, earthshaking rock ‘n’

roll for more than a decade.

The Huntington Beach label has released more than 100 albums during

it’s tenure including the likes of hardcore heroes Gorilla Biscuits,

Sense Field and Sick of it All.

Revelation headquarters -- replete with walls adorned with band

posters and flyers -- is a working hardcore haven with 15 employees and a

warehouse filled with everything from records and CDs, to stickers,

videos and T-shirts. Still 100% independent and self-sufficient, the

label can trace it’s “do it yourself” ethics back to its inception in New

Haven, Conn.

Jordan Cooper formed Revelation while still in college. His lack of

proficiency as a guitar player may have kept him out of a band, but his

passion for the music lead him to remain involved in the music in some

capacity.

“I figured one way to promote this music and keep the scene alive was

to start a label that focused exclusively on putting out hardcore,”

Cooper said.

Cooper’s first release back in 1987, was a seven-inch record from New

York hardcore legends, War Zone. That sold relatively well and he

eventually released more than 20 records on his own before relocating to

Huntington Beach.

“I didn’t come out here for the label, I just liked the area and

figured I’d give it a shot,” Cooper said.

However, once in California he had access to even more bands and

things started to take off. As the label grew, Cooper started to focus on

distribution. In addition to it’s own releases, Revelation distributes

records from several other labels including Equal Vision, Indecision and

even the vinyl releases for some major labels.

With all that responsibility he had to hire an increasingly larger

staff, and although he still has the final say on which new bands will

sign to Revelation, he leaves the task of gathering prospective signees

to others.

Larry Ransom, who started out working part-time in the mail room and

warehouse two years ago, is now in charge of artists and repertoire.

“It’s a great job, my favorite thing about it is that I can help give

young bands the opportunity to put out a record and tour around the

country and the world playing their music,” he said.

With a steady flow of about 10 releases a year, Revelation has built a

reputation on putting out quality music. While the label does accept demo

tapes, most of the ones it receives come from young bands still honing

their sounds.

The majority of the bands are brought to Ransom’s attention via word

of mouth from other bands, or by seeing them at shows playing with other

Revelation bands.

“We get about five demos a day and we usually listen to every one of

them,” Ransom said. “Although we are a hardcore label we try to focus on

a variety of different sounds, but if something is good it’s good.”

After his interest is peaked in a band and he feels it would be of

value to the Revelation roster, Ransom usually deals with a group’s

manager before offering a contract.

“Most of the bands we sign are just building a name for themselves,

and a big part of us wanting to sign them is their desire to work hard

and tour as much as they can,” he said.

Several bands have eventually left Revelation for larger labels after

a few releases.

“I’m happy for those bands, if we can help them grow and move in the

direction they want to go, I think it shows we’re doing a good job,”

Cooper said.

* PAUL SAITOWITZ is a news editor. He can be reached at (949) 574-4295

or by e-mail at paul.saitowitz@latimes.com.