Rum Bar Records heads back to the bar to serve up 2024 ‘Second Shot’ compilation
Boston independent garage rock and power-pop record label wraps a lively 2024 with free 38-track comp on Tuesday, November 26
NOW PLAYING: Listen to Rum Bar Records’ ‘Second Shot’ sampler
Rum Bar offering 20% off all sales through December with code: niceprice20
20.25% of all December profits to be donated to Planned Parenthood
Boston, MA [November 26, 2024] – If the common phrase “Think globally, act locally” was a record label, it’d probably be Rum Bar Records.
Lou Mansdorf’s esteemed and independent Boston-based label, which last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, caps a wild and busy 11th year of operation with Second Shot, a free 38-track compilation of garage rock, power-pop, pub rock, indie, punk, and swaggering rock and roll set for digital release and available for download starting on Tuesday, November 26.
Serving as a look back at Rum Bar’s active 2024 – full of both homegrown and national bands and artists – and a peek into what next year may bring, Second Shot drops just ahead of Black Friday, and for good reason: Those who use the discount code niceprice20 at checkout will score 20 percent off all purchases on Rum Bar’s Bandcamp page through December 31, including pre-orders, all physical and digital music purchases, and merchandise.
In addition, the label is donating 20.25% of all profits during the month of December to Planned Parenthood. And Rum Bar is offering a “brown bag special,” where during December fans can get 5 CDs, randomly selected by Mansdorf, as well as a label koozie and sticker, for just $15.
“From day one, this has been a labor of love,” Mansdorf says. “All we want to do is create one fan, one listener, one follower, one customer a day, a week, a month, a year, so we can just keep helping these artists spread their gospel and grow their fanbase.”
The free compilation features music that extends well beyond the Boston scene, rounding up tracks from Slamdinistas, The Hellflowers, Tom Baker, The Glimmer Stars, The Legendary Swagger, The Mochines, The Dogs, The Amplifier Heads, Tim McCoy, J Prozac, The Cretins, The Yum Yums, Boris The Sprinkler, Pavid Vermin, WiMP!, Shaggahs, Rick Barton, Jittery Jack with Amy Griffin on Guitar, Cindy Lawson, Girl with a Hawk, The Wynotts, Hotbox, Joe Jennings MVP’s, The Spackles, The Carnivals, Tony Marsico and the Ugly Thingz, The Hollywood Stars, Junior Varsity, Muck and the Mires, Gene Campagne, Diablogato, The Cornfed Project, The Hi-End, Richard Duguay & The Beautiful Decline, Cheap Cassettes, The Shang Hi Los, The Dogmatics, and Stop Calling Me Frank.
Hot dang! That’s a lot of music packed into one comp.
But Rum Bar’s 2024 was another tireless one, with several dozen releases lining the calendar. This comp raises a glass to the year that was, and does what Rum Bar does best: Putting the music front and center. And while Mansdorf knows nothing lasts forever, he appreciates the music community that provides Rum Bar its juice.
“It was kind of a wild ride this year for me and my family leading up to this release,” Mansdorf admits. “I think we’re all in a crazy state of mind and the world can feel really uneasy – but the music and these artists have been a beacon of light and I feel so lucky that I get to continue spreading the gospel of the music that I love. This comp includes releases we had the amazing fortune to present this past year, with some new artists, returning artists, long-standing partners, and even some unreleased singles from extended members of the Rum Bar family tree.”
And across the branches of that family tree is a combination of new bands just starting to make their mark, like Girl with a Hawk, WiMP!, and The Carnivals, and longtime and established veterans of scenes near and far, like The Dogs, Stop Calling Me Frank, and The Dogmatics.
At Rum Bar, age is irrelevant – all that matters is whether or not the music rocks.
“We’re so lucky to have not only new and breaking artists, but that we also get to support artists and bands with long legacies and histories. My goal is to support any and all fans, supporters, and listeners for as long as we do this – even though every year I say this could be the last,” Mansdorf laughs. “It’s especially great to be able to support the fans of some of our legacy artists with both singles and full-length albums this year – it’s really helped us to sustain our returning customer base.
Mansdorf adds: “Let’s be honest, though – it’s still tough out there for small, independent, DIY, mom-and-pop owned-and-operated business where the bands and artists are still the #1 customer. It’s tough to maintain stability and growth, especially in our corner of the industry. Sure, lots of bands aren’t touring or playing out in bars and dives every day of the working week; and many fans have competing priorities for how they spend their time and money. But we’re still here, putting out music we love, and we’re grateful for everyone who chooses to spend their time and money to support our artists.”
So Mansdorf hopes that the compilation provides some sort of stability. It showcases not only Rum Bar Records, but also the vibrant scenes in Boston, Los Angeles, Detroit, New York City, Arizona, and all over the map. The one constant is the music, and Rum Bar continues to serve it up with passion and excitement.
“At the end of the day, it’s a blast to be able to compile so many great songs on this year’s Second Shot comp, and to be able to make it a free Bandcamp download release for all,” Mansdorf concludes. “I hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy here. If you are listening to this and making it the soundtrack to your day – well, then we’ve done our job.”
Hit Rum Bar’s Bandcamp, download the free Second Shot compilation on November 26, and then pass it around: Take 20 percent off the entire online shop all through December with the code: niceprice20. And when it comes to the scene or anything else, think globally, act locally.
‘Second Shot’ compilation artwork:
What the artists are saying about Rum Bar Records:
“I affectionately call him Captain Lou. A hard loving family man who brings that same energy and spirit to all the music and artists on Rum Bar Records. Thanks to my friend and fellow Peppermint Kick, Dan Kopko, for bringing Captain Lou & I together. Viva la Rum Bar Records!” – Sal Baglio of The Amplifier Heads
“Rum Bar is a fun organization with like-minded people and bands led by Malibu Lou, a music fanatic who is so enthusiastic about all the bands on the label.” – Kevin Patey of The Carnivals
“Rum Bar is like a family. We feel like all the bands are really interested in helping each other out and it’s an instant connection when we see each other at the local shows. Lou is our biggest supporter and an overall great guy who’s helped our music to be heard across the world.” – The Hi End
“The best thing about being on Rum Bar Records is the love and dedication of Lou Friggin Mansdorf!!!” – The Shang Hi Los
“Lou gets our records out there better, much better than we could or would do on our own. He puts the music in front of the right people who will in turn put it in front of MORE of the right people. The radio stations, blogs, zines, podcasters. A real grassroots thing that is groovy and beautiful. Not to mention that so many of the Rum Bar bands are incredible. Just an overwhelming amount of good stuff to listen to. I'm a big fan of many of these people, for reals. They are rock and roll lifers, like I guess we are. I can't imagine working with any other label in the US right now. Rum Bar is where the HITS are!” – Cheap Cassettes
“The best thing about Rum Bar Records is working with Malibu Lou! He really cares about the bands & music he releases. Lou puts a lot of time and effort into getting his records out there for people to hear, which we really appreciate. The other great thing about the label is getting to meet & work with great bands from across the country too!” – Captain JJ from Joe Jenning's MVP's
“Lou's commitment to knowing, supporting, corralling, and promoting garage-rockers and other eclectic adjacent genres provides just enough structure and connective fiber to help bands feel like they are part of a bigger family of artists. My active participation as a creator in the Greater Boston music scene only goes back to 2007. Across the broad spectrum of talent on Rum Bar Records, a majority of people have been at it much longer. Despite that gap, my experience of the artist community in the sphere of The Dogmatics and other bands has been incredibly welcoming, positive, and inspiring. The music business has changed so much, without labels like Rum Bar Records, indie and ‘local’ music scenes would be hurting even worse.” – James Young from The Dogmatics
“I work with Rum Bar Records with several artists that I'm involved with. And the thing about Lou Mansdorf that I love is the passion for RnR music and for the crème de la crème indie bands that he works with. From my own experience, Lou gets in the trenches with his bands and is very creative & passionate & intuitive promoting to the press and radio. I am personally very grateful for Lou & Rum Bar Records.” – Loren Molinare of Plexi Head Management (Tony Marsico, Cruzados, The Hollywood Stars, Slamdinistas, Richard Duguay, and more) and frontman of The Dogs
“The best thing about being on Rum Bar Records is the camaraderie and support between the bands on the label. Some bands and members we’ve known in the past and some more recently we all get along really well. We are big fans of them and they are big fans of us. We are grateful to be on a great label and to call Lou a great friend.” – Stop Calling Me Frank
“I love Rum Bar and Malibu Lou! Lou is sincere and true and full of passion for the music and even more so for the artist as people and as friends. There's just a wonderful vibe in the Rum Bar family that makes you feel great. Being a part of a label full of great bands and positivity is an honor and just the best!” – J. Prozac of The Prozacs
I think [the best thing about being on Rum Bar] is the camaraderie with other great local bands like Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, The Dogs, Slamdanistas, Cornfed Project, Glimmer Stars, etc. The West Coast chapter of Rum Bar is strong. We’re working on getting some dates with the East Coast chapter next summer, and I think having the ability to connect with bands across the country is pretty great. And I mean Lou is a gem, working so hard for the love of music, it’s the best. Rum Bar is a class act all the way and we’re pretty proud to be a part of it.” – Geoff Yeaton of The Legendary Swagger
“Lou Mansdorf’s drive to bring music lovers the best music that’s out in the world, music that needs to be heard. The artists he chooses to be on his label are just the best and I don’t say that because we’re on the label but because I’m always surprised to hear that a band I love is on our label! Love when that happens! Also, the label’s sense of community. When bands from other cities come to town, or when we go to the East Coast, the welcoming is always endearing! I love Rumbar Records and Lou Mansdorf’s hard work, for me, never goes unnoticed. I am sincerely grateful to be part of the Rum Bar family!” – Gabriel Johns of Slamdinistas
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‘Second Shot’ Promo Poster:
Media praise for Rum Bar Records:
“Write this down: Rum Bar Records is turning into one of the absolute best labels for real rock & roll these days." _Bill Kelly of Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand on SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage
“Boston enclave Rum Bar Records may not have hit the notoriety of, say, Bomp! Records yet, but trust us when we say they have the market cornered on high quality power pop, punk, garage rock, and genre-agnostic rock & roll. This batch of highlights from its most recent round of releases reveals the label at the top of its game right now.” _Michael ‘Denim’ Toland
“My mind spins, like a record on a platter, when I think of how many great bands with so many incredible tunes gets poured out of Rum Bar Records!!” _Rock Never Rusts
“Boston’s Rum Bar Records has, for some increasingly weird reason, not reached the notoriety of fellow travelers like Bomp!, Burger and other labels dedicated to the irresistible pleasures of loud guitars and big-ass hooks. The label’s release schedule is often staggering, encompassing seemingly countless bands playing punk, power pop, glam rock, hard rock, rockabilly, roots rock and/or some blend of all of the above.” _Big Takeover Magazine
“We stumbled through two and a half years of a pandemic shutdown. There are efforts to shake this era off and reboot. That’s the feeling we get from some of the latest Rum Bar Releases.” _Boston Groupie News
“Rum Bar Records is where the Rock & Roll is, kiddos. Go crazy and hit up their Bandcamp page.” _Hanks Alternative Radio
“Rum Bar has long been the home of underrated, under-the-radar garage-rock and power-pop.”_Jim Testa of Jersey Beat
“I picture him (Malibu Lou of Rum Bar Records) with a drink in one hand and his phone in the other – constantly fielding calls from the top garage, punk, and power pop bands on the planet.” _Lord Rutledge of Faster And Louder
“The trustworthy garage/power-pop label Rum Bar that’s a gonzo hybrid of ‘70s bar band trash rock and down ‘n’ dirty punk.” _Off-Shelf
