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I Scream Recordings

When he is not drumming in the Belgian metalcore band Deviate he is trying to run the fastest growing hardcore label in Europe. Meet Laurens Kusters, the man behind I Scream.

Tekst: Corjan van den Berg

Publicatiedatum: 20 april 2001

Ok, lets start with the clichés, why/when did you start I scream records?
"It's kinda of a long story but my dad has been in the music industry for over 25 years, so it was kind of naturally that I grew up with music too. When I was 18 or so, I started working with the music company where my dad worked (which does not release hardcore or punk, but stuff like Stef Bos or Rowwen Heze). I worked there for over 2 years, then somewhere in the year 1993 or 1994, I got the idea to release the first deviate CD by myself, under my own recordlabel."

How do you come in contact with bands, and what must a band have to get signed at I scream recordings?
"As I said earlier, I only started I scream to release the first DV8 record, and as you probably now, that was/is a success. So because it was a success, I started to look for some promising bands in my local scene (Brussels). So I signed a couple of (punk)bands from my local scene, and so on, the ball started rolling. Although I play in a metalcore band, I also like a lot of punkbands. The one thing a band must have to get signed at I scream, is to give me goosebumps. 5 years ago I had to look for bands to sign my label, now the bands come to me for a contract. I recently signed maximum penalty."

What is the function of the street teams, I hear so much about?
"It is quite simple actually. We send the kids some flyers/stickers/posters for the promotion of I scream. In return they can get free CD's, free t-shirts and even get in for free at gigs from I scream bands. We now have plus minus 100 people who are in the street team, but we are still growing."

Can you tell me something about the new tribute CD's you have planned?
"The first planned tribute CD I have planned is the Dutch tribute to real American hardcore. All bands have recorded their songs last month, it only has to be mixed and mastered. Although I am not very objective, I think all songs already sound very good although they aren't mixed yet. So you expect the release somewhere in April. DV8 recorded a song by The Eye. The other tribute, is the worldwide tribute to real English punk. The bands haven't started recording yet, but you can expect it somewhere in the fall of 2001."

Can we expect another I scream party this summer?
"Hell yeah, this summer in August there is another party at M-town. We are trying to book 2 or 3 American bands, and off course you can expect the usual European I Scream bands. 2 bands from America who we are trying to book are Breakdown and together we fall, and we will have a big surprise which I won't tell you, hahahaha!"

What's the story with DV8 exactly, I mean you never play gigs no more?
"Well we have writing over a long time now, enough songs to record 3 albums!"

So we can expect a double CD.
" Nope, over the years we try to improve as much as we can, so not every song is good enough for the album we think. The thing I can say about the new one is that it isn't going to be much different than from Sate of grace. After the release of the record we will start touring again."

What really shocks me, is that you don't have a silent G.
"Not all Belgian people have a silent G!"

Can you financially manage yourself with the income you get from I scream records and DV8?
"Not with DV8, you don't get rich when you play in a hardcore band! But my fulltime job is with I scream records, i can make a pretty good living with it. As you probably now, the year 2000 was a very good year for I scream records. Hopefully 2001 will be just as good."

What are your future plans?
"Well I plan to do the same thing as in the year 2000, sign bands, help them touring sell some records, etc."

Any famous last words?
"Nope."

http://www.kindamuzik.net/label/709/i-scream-recordings/735/
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