Shock Records launches hardcore imprint label

Shock Records has announced a new label imprint, Halfcut Records, to release the work of punk and hardcore artists. Shock is Australia's largest independent record label, responsible for distributing records for international names like Epitaph, Rise and Fat Wreck. They have previously released records by bands like Bring Me The Horizon, The Bronx and Alexisonfire, who all got their start in Australia through the label.

Halfcut Records will be headed up by Shock's General Manager of Music Leigh Grupetta, along with Shock staffer and host of Triple J's Short.Fast.Loud program, Stu Harvey. The label has announced its first three signings today - UK punk rock stalwarts Gallows, Sydney pop punk band Heroes For Hire, and British up and comers While She Sleeps.

“Shock Records has meant many things over the years to people due to the company enjoying great success over a broad range of genres,” said Gruppetta. “The punk and heavy music genres are certainly an area we have excelled of late so we believe the time is right to give these bands their own home.”

“Halfcut is the brainchild of Stu Harvey and under his watchful eye the Shock Records team will be pulling out all stops to continue this success. Stu is the best in his field, bar none, so we couldn’t be more excited about the long term future of Halfcut for the business.”

Gallows, Heroes For Hire and While She Sleeps all have their label debut albums slated for release later in 2012, with While She Sleeps' record "This Is The Six" set for release on August 3.