Review: Hopelessly Devoted To You: The First 30 Years of Hopeless Records

Posted: by The Editor

Hopelessly Devoted To You: The First 30 Years of Hopeless Records is an exhibit that showcases memorabilia, artwork, and milestones from the past thirty years of Hopeless Records‘ history, as well as artists past and present. Some of the memorabilia is being revealed for the very first time throughout the exhibit, now open at Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys, California. The exhibit will subsequently travel nationwide with stops at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hopeless Records was founded in 1993 as an excuse to release a seven-inch by the band Guttermouth. The label spent much of the 90s catering to the prominent pop punk and ska craze with a roster that included 88 Fingers Louie, Dillinger Four, and Mustard Plug. Over the years, the label’s roster has included iconic acts such as Avenged Sevenfold, Sum 41, The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Thrice, Yellowcard, and Circa Survive, to name a few. In recent history, Hopeless has gone on to sign up-and-coming bands such as Pinkshift, Sweet Pill, and Sincere Engineer.

Additionally, Hopeless donates funds and raises awareness for various non-profit organizations through Sub City (the 501c3 non-profit arm of the label) by connecting artists, fans, and causes they are passionate about. Since 1999, Sub City has raised over 3 million dollars for more than 50 non-profit organizations.

Throughout 2024, Hopeless Records will release a photobook and documentary chronicling 30 years of history, along with limited anniversary vinyl re-releases and a compilation album of their current artist roster covering Hopeless Records classics.


Words and Photos by Jazmin Lemus

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