In 2020, veteran music executive Matt Pincus launched a company called Trust Records (alongside co-founder Joe Nelson) with a focused mission: to promote, preserve, and protect classic punk and hardcore music.
Now, Trust Records has struck one of its most significant deals to date: an “intellectual property partnership” with influential punk band Bad Brains.
The deal between the band and Trust covers all IP controlled by Bad Brains, including their publishing rights, master recording rights, name and likeness, trademark and visual IP. The deal also includes administration and distribution of the majority of the catalog, including the band’s classic, seminal first-run titles.
This includes the band’s self-titled debut album as well as records Rock For Light, I Against I, and Quickness.
Formed in 1978, the legendary Washington, D.C. band blended fast-paced hardcore punk with reggae and dub, pioneering a sound that has influenced countless artists from Rage Against The Machine and Metallica to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters.
Under the new deal, Trust Records says that it will continue to ensure that the band’s music is “available for generations to come”.
Matt Pincus, who the Wall Street Journal describes in this new interview about Trust Records and the Bad Brains deal as “The troubled youth turned punk rock label executive,” is well-known in the music industry as a successful entrepreneur, and as the bass player for New York hardcore band Judge.
Pincus founded SONGS Music Publishing in 2004, which signed The Weeknd, Diplo, and Lorde before selling to Kobalt Capital for around $160 million in 2017.
After exiting SONGS, Pincus launched MUSIC, a $200 million investment firm in partnership with Liontree, making strategic investments across music tech (Splice, HIFI, DICE), indie labels (LVRN), and B2B services (Soundtrack Your Brand).
He also launched Trust Records in 2020, “to give classic punk and hardcore records the home that they deserve”.
The company said in its press release about the Bad Brains deal on Monday (December 8), that “the great records of this genre sprung from DIY roots to influence millions of disaffected kids around the world”. It added: “as we now move into the ‘streaming age’, it’s crucial to keep their spirit and legacy alive.”
Trust Records’ catalog also includes 40th Anniversary Deluxe versions of Circle Jerks’ albums Group Sex, Wild in The Streets and 7Seconds’ 1984 “landmark” punk record, The Crew in addition to reissues of Youth Brigade’s Sound and Fury and DFL’s My Crazy Life, SSD’s The Kids Will Have Their Say, Ink & Dagger’s The Complete Works and more.
As part of the latest partnership, Trust Records has established an Artist Advisory Board, with Bad Brains’ bassist Darryl Jenifer serving as a member to help guide the company’s future creative vision.
The original Bad Brains lineup consisted of H.R. (vocals), Dr. Know (guitar), Darryl Jenifer (bass), and Earl Hudson (drums).
“TRUST’s love and knowledge of Bad Brains and the PMA ethos makes them a perfect match to partner with as we keep Bad Brains Sailin’ On.”
Darryl Jenifer, Bad Brains
“After 40 plus years of forging the spirit PMA through our brand of progressive punk rock aka Hardcore, I’m happy that Bad Brains will be sharing the wheel with TRUST in our ongoing quest to keep Bad Brains alive in the hearts and minds of our supporters as we step into the future,” said Bad Brains bassist, Darryl Jenifer.
“TRUST’s love and knowledge of Bad Brains and the PMA ethos makes them a perfect match to partner with as we keep Bad Brains Sailin’ On. Stay tuned for what’s next to come. One love and a hefty dose of PMA.”
“It is the highest honor partner with Darryl and Bad Brains in the stewardship of their iconic work.”
Matt Pincus
“We started Trust Records to promote, preserve, and protect punk and hardcore music and the culture that surrounds it.” said Trust Records Founder, Matt Pincus.
He added: “Bad Brains is the absolute top of the mountain in punk and hardcore. They taught the rest of us how to do it. It is the highest honor partner with Darryl and Bad Brains in the stewardship of their iconic work.
“Bad Brains’ are an iconic and legendary band whose impact on global culture cannot be overstated.”
Joe Nelson, Trust Records
Joe Nelson, Co-founder of Trust Records, said: “Bad Brains’ are an iconic and legendary band whose impact on global culture cannot be overstated.
“We are thrilled that they’ve chosen Trust Records as their home and we look forward to working with them to continue to build their fan base around the world.”Music Business Worldwide