‘Rope or Guillotine’ is named after the classic record by Norwegian punks ‘The Spectacle’. A longtime favorite of both Jaka and Erik.Around 2011, whilst touring and playing in bands, Erik realized he could actually take part in the release of a record by his friends in ‘Boredom’, an actively touring, hardcore D-Beat band from Graz, Austria. Starting a label and helping out with friends’ releases was an obvious but previously overlooked way to be part of the community and subculture that he loved (and still loves) so much.
After a few years of releases by the likes of ‘Grinding Halt’, ‘Rivers Run Dry’ and ‘Rainmaker’, his best friend Jaka Bolič joined in on the fun. Adding an extra layer of sludge and doom, deepening the tone.Together we have steadily elevated the count of releases, we try our best to run a steady web shop. We are looking for new ways to be visible, whilst (loosely;) cementing a social media presence as well as carrying big boxes of records around in the physical world. At shows. At post offices. In vans and bedrooms of friends.
Right now Rope or Guillotine has just released their 25th (!) release and earned themselves a home in the wild world of DIY labels releasing punk, sludge and doom.
Our combined effort has made RoG what it is today. Something we are very proud of. But we are not an island, without the DIY infrastructure we wouldn’t be nowhere, but it would be boring.
A lot has changed in all these years but this label is still based on a strong passion for DIY music, friendship and the subculture that this community thrives in. Thank you everyone.
Jaka & Erik
