Bruce Pavitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Pavitt
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Pavitt in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 7, 1959 |
| Origin | Olympia, Washington, U.S. |
| Years active | 1980–1996 |
| Labels | Sub Pop |
Bruce S. Pavitt, born on March 7, 1959, is famous for being a co-founder of the independent record label called Sub Pop. This label became very important in the music world. Before starting Sub Pop, he studied at The Evergreen State College. While there, he even had his own radio show on the college's KAOS radio station.
Bruce Pavitt's Music Journey
Early Days and Subterranean Pop
After studying at Blackburn College and then The Evergreen State College in Washington, Bruce Pavitt started something special in 1980. It was a fanzine called Subterranean Pop. A fanzine is like a small magazine made by fans for fans. His fanzine, based in Olympia, Washington, was all about American independent rock bands.
Bruce believed that music should be diverse and come from many different places. He wrote:
“We need diverse, regionalized, localized approaches to all forms of art, music, and politics…the most intense music, the most original ideas are coming out of scenes you don’t even know exist. Tomorrow’s pop is being realized today on small decentralized record labels that are interested in taking risks, not making money.”—Subterranean Pop #1, 1980
Through his fanzine, he released three music collections on cassette tapes.
Starting Sub Pop Records
In 1983, Bruce Pavitt moved to Seattle. There, he opened a record store called Fallout. He also wrote a music column for The Rocket magazine. At the same time, he hosted a radio show on KCMU that featured music from independent record labels.
By 1986, the name "Subterranean Pop" was shortened to just "Sub Pop." This was the year Sub Pop released its very first LP, which is a full-length album. It was called Sub Pop 100. The next year, in 1987, the band Green River released their Dry As a Bone EP through Sub Pop. An EP is a shorter music release, usually with fewer songs than an LP.
Bruce Pavitt has also written two books about music and his experiences: Sub Pop USA and Experiencing Nirvana.
