About

Bio

Big Scary Monsters is an independent label based in Oxford, England. It has so far been responsible for releases from the likes of American Football, Modern Baseball, La Dispute, The Get Up Kids, Jamie Lenman, Beach Slang, Delta Sleep, Minus The Bear, Martha, mewithoutYou, Kevin Devine, Orchards, Balance and Composure, Cursive, Pedro The Lion, Andrew W.K., Tall Ships, Toe, Pulled Apart By Horses, Meet Me In St Louis, Joyce Manor, Gnarwolves, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Bear vs Shark, Tangled Hair... We could go on.

For ten years we hosted a 5-a-side football tournament, pulling together the "sporting elite of the music industry" in what can only be described as a tired embarrassment of people who "used to be good when they were 12". The tournament came to a close in 2018 after the record of at least one broken bone every year became too much to handle.

In 2018, no longer content with just putting up with shit from bands on the record label side, BSM launched it's own festival in London. Unbelievably, we doubled down in 2019 and started one in our hometown of Oxford, too.

Press:

Big Scary Monsters: a big player in a little bubble - The Independent

From Andrew W.K. to McLovin: why I started a record label - Kerrang

Just Do It And Be A Legend: A guide to DIY - Clash

Photo diary: BSM reflect on 250 releases The 405

Podcast interview - Lush

Cardiff popup Day 1 / 2 / 3 - Upset

Oxford's finest comes of age - Already Heard

Podcast interview - Holy Roar

FAQ

I placed a mailorder 2 weeks ago and it hasn't arrived, is everything ok?

If you want to check up on an order, email distro@awesomemerchandise.com with the info. Please note, pre-order items are usually shipped the week before release. Also, don't contact us about orders via Facebook or Twitter, we need your info to look into it for you properly.

I placed a mailorder 7 hours ago and it hasn't arrived, what the fuck?!

What the fuck indeed. Grow up and never contact us again.

I'm in a band and I want to send you a 50mb wav file of a track we just recorded. We are yet to add the bass or vocals, it's not mixed and it's far from being our best song. Interested? (also see: funk bands and artists who begin emails with "we are the future of music")

OH WOW, WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! Send your huge attachments to whatareyouthinking@goaway.cok. Those of you who have STREAMING links to GOOD music and a sense that we genuinely may enjoy it, feel free to send over with a bit of info about yourselves.

I work for a shop/run a distro, could we stock your releases?

Absolutely! Email kev@bsmrocks.com and we'll send you our wholesale info.

I'm a promoter and would like to book one of your bands, how can I do this?

You should be able to find the booking details for each of our bands via their website/Facebook page. Any problems, give us a shout and we'll (possibly) help.

Can my band play one of your festivals?

Email josie@bsmrocks.com with your info and bribe

Why did you begin BSM?

Girls and money.

Would you recommend starting an independent record label?

No.

What's your favourite ever BSM release?

We like them all exactly the same. Except maybe a couple of them. But we're not telling you which.

How did you come to work with Andrew W.K.?

Got drunk, sent an email, professed our love, went for dinner, talked about Mr Bean, hatched a plan, won some money in a Fantasy Football league, spent it on square-shaped vinyl, the end.

Is Ron really the boss?