Hopeless Records Acquires Fat Wreck Chords Catalog in New Partnership

by

On Wednesday, it was announced that the punk rock label, Hopeless Records, has sealed a deal to obtain the collection of songs belonging to Fat Wreck Chords – a record company co-founded by NOFX’s Fat Mike and Erin Kelly-Burkett.

In this transaction, the details regarding the financial aspects of the acquisition were not revealed. However, it was made known that as part of the agreement, both Hopeless and Fat Wreck Chords have committed to wiping out any outstanding debts for Fat Wreck’s current artists (unrecouped balances). Furthermore, Hopeless has consented to a policy prohibiting the signing of new artists (a “no-new-signings policy”), which the companies claim will keep all attention and resources solely on FAT’s existing roster. Lastly, Fat Mike (Michael John Burkett) and Kelly-Burkett will maintain ownership over the brand, logo, and trademark of Fat Wreck Chords.

Hopeless Records is recognized within the realms of punk and metal music due to its long-standing history of releasing albums for bands like Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday, YSum 41, Destroy Boys, and many more, ever since Louis Posen established it in 1993. Conversely, Fat Wreck Chords has been a familiar hub for artists such as NOFX and Rise Against since its initiation in 1990.

In a recent statement, Posen, Fat Mike, and Kelly-Burkett referred to their new collaboration as a “full-circle moment,” considering their nearly 30 years of friendship that started when Posen, then a music video director, approached Fat Mike to direct a video for the NOFX song “Bob.” Later on, Fat Wreck Chords and Posen provided each other with valuable advice – Fat Wreck Chords assisting Posen in managing an indie label, while Hopeless Records played a significant role in Fat Wreck Chords’ success. As they announced this partnership, the companies acknowledged that “without Fat Wreck Chords, there would be no Hopeless.

Posen expressed his joy in being given the chance to guide Fat Wreck Chords’ legacy, including its catalog, roster, and history, alongside Mike and Erin. In a statement, he stated, ‘We are profoundly thankful that Mike and Erin have chosen Hopeless as the team to preserve their 35 years of dedication and effort.’ It may take some time for this realization to fully set in, but we are resolute in our mission to uphold and extend Fat Wreck Chords’ remarkable legacy.

Over the past three years, Fat Mike mentioned that his record company has discussed potential business deals with numerous other entities. However, upon careful consideration, he stated that Erin and he found Hopeless Records to be the ideal option among all contenders.

For more than three decades, we’ve built a friendship with Louis. He consistently appears to act in the best interests of all, which I admire greatly. I have full confidence in his moral principles and business skills as he handles the Fat Wreck Chords legacy.

Kelly-Burkett described the deal as “among the most significant choices I’ve ever had to make,” yet equally as “one of the most thrilling.

For three and a half decades, FAT has been my heart and soul as a gamer. It’s not just a brand to me; it’s a tight-knit community, a sanctuary, and a lasting monument that Mike and I have nurtured from the ground up. Louis, who shares this understanding, is the perfect choice to continue our legacy. As an ardent fan like myself, he carries the essence of FAT within him, ready to expand upon the foundation we’ve built with love and reverence. These bands are more than just music to me – they’re my family, and I trust them in the capable hands of the Hopeless family.

Read More

2025-07-09 18:24