The Kill Rock Stars Collection spans the years 1991 to 2010. It contains eighteen linear feet of materials related to the Kill Rock Stars (KRS) record label, organized into three series: artist files, Five Rue Christine (a subsidiary of KRS), and office files. All three series are arranged alphabetically by file title. The collection includes press releases, clippings, photographs, tour dates, radio reports, biographical information, artist proofs, and poster art. Prominent artists featured are Bikini Kill, Bonfire Madigan, the Decemberists, Deerhoof, Gossip, Har Mar Superstar, Sleater-Kinney, Elliott Smith, Marnie Stern, Thao, and Xiu Xiu. The collection provides an in-depth look at the inner workings of an independent record label, as well as detailed information about the artists on the label's roster.
Timeline
1991: Kill Rock Stars (KRS) debuts with KRS-101, a spoken word split single featuring Kathleen Hanna and Slim Moon.
1991: A KRS compilation released, featuring Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Melvins, and Unwound, as well as artwork by Tinuviel.
1992: Unwound's "Caterpillar" 7-inch single.
1992: Bikini Kill releases their self-titled debut EP.
1993: Bikini Kill's first full-length album, <title render="italic">Pussy Whipped</title>.
1993: Bikini Kill releases the "Rebel Girl" 7-inch single, produced by Joan Jett.
1998: Jad & David Fair's <title render="italic">Monster Songs For Children</title> LP.
1998: The John Doe Thing's <title render="italic">For The Rest Of Us</title> EP.
1999: Sleater-Kinney's <title render="italic">The Hot Rock</title> LP.
1999: Unwound releases their singles compilation, <title render="italic">A Single History</title>.
1999: Mike "Sport" Murphy's <title render="italic">Willoughby</title> LP.
1999: Tight Bros. from Way Back When's <title render="italic">Runnin' Thru My Bones</title> LP.
2000: Sleater-Kinney, "All Hands On the Bad One" LP.
2000: Lois Maffeo & Brendan Canty, "The Union Themes" LP.
2000: Jean Smith, "Jean Smith" LP.
2000: Legendary pop songstress Ronnie Spector releases <title render="italic">She Talks to Rainbows</title>, an EP featuring a duet with Joey Ramone.
2000: KRS releases a posthumous CD collection by author and spoken word diva, Kathy Acker entitled "Redoing Childhood."
2000: Two Ton Boa releases their self-titled debut EP.
2001: Unwound, the first band signed to KRS, releases "Leaves Turn Inside You", a double enhanced CD which includes two videos.
2001: C-Average, "Second Reckoning" LP.
2001: KRS reissues a double CD by revered Swiss post-punk band Kleenex, who later became Liliput.
2001: The Gossip, "That's Not What I Heard" LP.
2002: Fields and Streams double CD compilation is released.
2002: 5RC releases Xiu Xiu "Knife Play" and Hella "Hold Your Horse Is."
2002: Stereo Total joins up with KRS, which begin to reissue their back catalog, starting with <title render="italic">Musique Automatique</title> in October.
2002: Sleater-Kinney release their last record with KRS entitled <title render="italic">One Beat</title>.
2002: Comet Gain <title render="italic">Realistes</title> CD/LP.
2002: Jeff Hanson <title render="italic">Son</title> CD - debut album!
2002: Distribution changes from Mordam Records to the powerhouse of Touch and Go!
2003: Deerhoof's fanbase continues to grow by leaps and bounds with <title render="italic">Apple O</title>.
2003: Essential Logic <title render="italic">Fanfare in the Garden</title> 2CD reissue of the fabulous Lora Logic and Co.
2003: Gravy Train <title render="italic">Hello Doctor</title> LP / CD .
2003: Kill Rock Stars signs Portland band, The Decemberists, and releases two records. The first, released in May, was a reissue of <title render="italic">Castaways and Cutouts</title> (orginally on Hush records). The second, released in September, was all new material and entitled <title render="italic">Her Majesty The Decemberists</title>
2004: 5RC releases Xiu Xiu's <title render="italic">Fabulous Muscles</title> CD, and The Mae Shi's <title render="italic">Terrorbird</title> CD.
2006: Various Artists on <title render="italic">The Sound the Hare Heard</title> CD, a songwriter compilation featuring Colin Meloy, Laura Veirs, Sufjan Stevens, Jeff Hanson, Nedelle, etc.
2006: The Gossip's <title render="italic">Standing in the Way of Control</title> CD / LP.
2006: Starter Set DVD.
2005: 5RC signs and releases new records by a TON of new bands: BARR, Metalux, Need New Body, The No Neck Blues Band, The Punks, The Planet The, The Robot Ate Me, Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice.
2005: The Decemberists <title render="italic">Picaresque</title> CD / double LP (the LP was released four months later with bonus tracks and packaged in a fancy gatefold with a huge color booklet).
2005: <title render="italic">KRS Video Fanzine #3</title> is released (this time on DVD) featuring Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, etc.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Kill Rock Stars Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Inc. as a gift from Kill Rock Stars on August 22, 2011.
Citation: [Identification of Item], Kill Rock Stars Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Processing Information: Processed by Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist. Completed September 8, 2011. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
