| Sin Klub Entertainment (SKE) | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Edward Shimborske III, Micheal Seday |
| Distributor(s) | MS Distribution, Cargo, Lumberjack |
| Genre | alternative rock, post-hardcore, industrial, punk rock, hardcore punk, hip hop, blues-rock |
| Country of origin | U.S. |
| Location | Toledo, Ohio |
Sin Klub Entertainment was a Toledo, Ohio based record label owned by Thessalonian Dope Gods vocalist Edward Shimborske III and Michael Seday. The label was created in the 1980s for the purpose of promoting area bands, but evolved into a larger Midwest independent record label. Shimborske assumed the tongue-in-cheek name to describe a business that would violate moral rule and added a cartoon devil (named “Woody”) wearing boogie-shoes as the mascot (designed by his father). Throughout the 80s and 90s most of the bands on SKE were harder-edged rock acts, though the acclaimed “Exposed” compilation series featured a much broader spectrum of music.
Contents |
Though Shimborske and Seday’s work in entertainment had already progressed via retail and press, they met at WXUT, where Seday was the music-director. After working together in the music department and fulfilling a series of internships in the music industry, the two formed Sin Klub Entertainment and issued the first local CD compilation in Toledo, as well as the debut from Environmental Hazzard (Cleveland). The releases established the label, as sales were good and press favorable. EH broke into the CMJ College-Radio chart and earned a few Belkin-promoted slots opening for Pantera and Flotsam & Jetsam. The band next acquired two major Pittsburgh draws—Section 315 and Bunjie Jambo – before signing False Face Society, Porn Flakes, Chicken Dog, and Five Horse Johnson, (all from Toledo), and issuing the Thessalonian Dope Gods’ debut CD. Many consider this the company’s most influential period, as the label and acts became a huge draw throughout the Midwest, packing clubs and selling much merchandise. Shimborske and Seday hustled the bands, worked with dozens of promoters, traded shows from city to city, and created highlighting gigs for the label (All Freaks Ball), typically grabbing the opening-slot on most national act bills in the immediate area. Even Kid Rock attributes some of his early success outside of Detroit to Sin Klub, as he appeared on many of the label’s shows, playing alongside major draws like Porn Flakes, Chicken Dog, and Five Horse Johnson.
As the label blossomed, Shimborske and Seday were able to secure better distribution, release sophomore CDs, run other labels and projects thorough the system, continue their compilation series and sign more up-and-coming acts. The label broadened its scope—issuing a seven-inch from Christian punk band Crashdog (Chicago) and a rap release from Rare Species – and added bands like Irwin, Evolotto, Valve, and Geminus Sect to the roster. At around this time, the duo caught the ear of Cleveland International mogul Steve Popovich and his son, who formed Grappler Unlimited with the two entrepreneurs and issued nationally-distributed CDs by Bunie Jambo, Porn Flakes, and Thieveland.
With most of the original roster gone, growing dissatisfaction with the industry, and the Internet slowly killing the labels’ prospects, the label – led by Evolotto and The PB Army – acquired distribution through Cargo and Lumberjack and focused its attention on stronger nationally-touring acts, all for naught. Seday eventually went to work in Taiwan, vacating some of his tasks at the label, and Shimborske focused more of his attention on the The Glass Eye (magazine) and his own personal musical projects. Despite the changes, the label was able to work with Highbinder (Toledo), The Vagiants (Winnipeg), Lazy American Workers (Toledo), Bleed For Me (Buffalo), Dead Heroes (Detroit), and Chrome Helmet (Michigan) before going on hiatus.
Despite its lack of international prosperity, Sin Klub possessed a penchant for working with many major artists at a grassroots level—prior to stardom—and many artists lost in circulation. Through comps, cameos, and production, the label worked with Kid Rock, Consolidated (band), Dan Hicks (singer), Neal Fallon (Clutch), Ron Holzner (Trouble), Nash the Slash, Mark Mikel, Gwar, Damien, Agony Column, Barry Henssler (Big Chief, The Necros), Pro-Pain, Lucky Boys Confusion, Bizzy-Bone (of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony), Speedball, Lollipop Lustkill, Yukmouth (of Luniz) and more. A hotbed for talent, the actual Sin Klub roster graduated many musicians into even bigger projects. Todd Evans (Beefcake the Mighty), who recorded with Porn Flakes and Lazy American Workers on Sin Klub, later joined Gwar and Mobile Death Camp, while Eric Klinger, who recorded with Section 315 for the label, later joined the Spudmonsters and has now been a member of Pro-Pain for the past ten years. Five Hose Johnson went on to record several successful CDs for Small Stone Records.
At current, after 50+ releases, Sin Klub sits dormant, with Shimborske now using the moniker ‘Good Eye Shimmy’ to issue personal releases. Seday has returned to America and the two are considering re-opening the label and offering the catalog via the Internet.