independent record label
An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...
based in
South Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south and the Schuylkill River to the west. The label was founded in 2003 by Frede Zimmer as a merchandise company, and houses Philadelphia artists
The Extraordinaires
The Extraordinaires are a five piece American indie rock band hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally formed by Jay Purdy and Matt Gibson in 2004, is known for its use of storytelling within songs.
Their latest album, ''Electric and B ...
Punk Rock Payroll began in 2003 as the brainchild of current CEO Frede Zimmer. Originally, the company was run out of a 2-bedroom apartment belonging to Zimmer and his wife Misty. Zimmer started his business making buttons, screenprinting album covers, and producing merchandise for local bands and other labels.
In 2004, Zimmer discovered Jay Purdy and Matt Gibson of The Extraordinaires, and is quoted as saying that it was "the natural progression of things" to expand the company into its own label. He then signed The Extraordinaires as Punk Rock Payroll's first act, and in 2006, they released the operatic full-length ''Ribbons of War''.
Trademark
CDs released on the label often abandon the traditional
jewel case
Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical discs. Most packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage.
Jewel case
A ...
manner of packaging. Three albums from artists
The Extraordinaires
The Extraordinaires are a five piece American indie rock band hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally formed by Jay Purdy and Matt Gibson in 2004, is known for its use of storytelling within songs.
Their latest album, ''Electric and B ...
have been released as hand-bound, hand-screened storybooks with illustrations accompanying the album's lyrics. In 2008, split-7" record ''Battle of the Vans'' was released as a
board game
Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well.
Many board games feature a comp ...
which included a hand-screened game board, dice, and game pieces. In 2009, artist Kill You in the Face released their EP, ''The Mighty Atlas,'' on a USB-enabled toy Ray Gun.
The company is often described as a
DIY
"Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and sem ...
label, signing local artists and collaborating with them to produce much of the merchandise by hand.
Artists
*
The Extraordinaires
The Extraordinaires are a five piece American indie rock band hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally formed by Jay Purdy and Matt Gibson in 2004, is known for its use of storytelling within songs.
Their latest album, ''Electric and B ...
* Kill You in the Face
* Lux Perpetua
* Dangerous Ponies
* The Armchairs