~sArDiNe-CaN~

Punk-O-Rama is a series of compilations by Epitaph Records featuring bands from Epitaph and it's off-shoot labels, Hellcat Records, and Burning Heart Records. First released in 1994, they were released every year, with the exception of 1995 and 1997 up until 2005, when the final volume was released.
Despite it's name, the Punk-O-Rama showcased music beyond the punk genre. While that was it's original intention, once Epitaph started expanding it's roster to other genres, the series started to reflect on this. Indie rock and hip-hop tracks started to appear, with examples being on Volume 4, which included Tom Waits' "Big in Japan" and Volumes 8-10 including tracks by Sage Francis, Atmosphere, and Eyedea & Abilities.
The basis of the compilations was to promote the bands on the Epitaph labels. That's the reason that the suggested retail prices of the releases were usually half the price of other new releases. The songs featured on the compilations were both previously released on Epitaph labels and previously unreleased material.
In 2003, a DVD was releasd under the Punk-O-Rama name. It featured music videos that were made throughout Epitaph's history. Although the title indicated it was Volume 1, no other DVDs were released in the series. The next year, however, the Punk-O-Rama CD included a bonus DVD, which featured current music videos for Epitaph artists, most of which appeared on both the CD and DVD. The same was done for the following, and last, entry in the series.
In 2006, Epitaph Records retired the Punk-O-Rama series of compilations. Its replacement is the Unsound series, which had its first release in June, 2006. The reason for the introduction of the new series was that Epitaph wanted to showcase several of its artists that do not fall under the punk genera, and as such chose a non-specific name.

Releases

~sardine~fashion~