Hermosa Records

Hermosa Records is a micro label started in 1997 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Run by designer/musician Brian Sisson and financed by his partner A. Thompson. It pressed only 2 commercial compilation CDs: In the Sam Hell and Mental Slam Dance. Hermosa Records sold most of their 1000 discs (of each title) to L.A. area record shops in 1997-99. The two compilations are really a snapshot of the stranger, more creative original bands ion the LA scene in 1996, specifically the scene in the South Bay of Los Angeles, centering on Hermosa Beach and Gardena CA. The thirty-three bands (19 on Sam Hell and 14 on Slam Dance) are presented with one song each, as submitted to Brian Sisson in 1996 on band-finished DAT tapes. Both final compilation discs were mastered by Rick Witte to DAT and pressed to CDs at PanaVision in Oxnard CA. Hermosa Records went on to record and master all the Big Jerks discs (over a hundred and counting), a few Kelley Preach discs with Fucker 13 and Hardwood, and some odds and ends. Most discs available only as CDRs. The good news: there is nice artwork and packaging for all discs. The bad news: the label has been in the red for 20 years. Interesting note: Hermosa Records actually trademarked the term Improv Rock® in the year 2000.