Reflex Records was an American

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

formed by the members of

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier pu ...

band Hüsker Dü and

Terry Katzman Terry James Katzman (March 8, 1955 – November 8, 2019) was a producer, sound engineer, archivist, and record-store owner in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for his work with the Twin Cities music scene, particularly during the formative early year ...

. It was formed to help promote independent bands, after Twin/Tone Records rejected Hüsker Dü's first single in 1979. (Bassist Greg Norton told ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its co ...

'' in 2017 that the label was named after their experience with Twin/Tone: “We named our label Reflex Records because that was our reflex to being rejected.”) The label was funded by a loan from Hüsker drummer Grant Hart's mother's credit union. Under Katzman's guidance, the label would also release several compilations of regional underground and alternative bands, as well as albums by local post-punk bands

Rifle Sport Rifle Sport was an American post punk band active in the 1980s and 1990s, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band took its name from an arcade in downtown Minneapolis which was open in the 1940s to 1960s. An unrelated art gallery, Rifle Sport Galle ...

, Man Sized Action, Otto's Chemical Lounge, and Articles of Faith, as well as the

Minutemen Minutemen were members of the organized New England colonial militia companies trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies during the American Revolutionary War. They were known for being ready at a minute's notice, hence the name. Mi ...

's 1985 EP '' Tour-Spiel''. Both Katzman and the Hüsker Dü members became too busy with other projects, and the label quietly folded in 1985. In 2008, Hart revived the Reflex name to issue a three-song live CD by Hüsker Dü recorded in 1982-83 featuring their friend John Clegg on saxophone, ''Live Featuring J.C.''

Reflex Records discography

Hüsker Dü, "

Statues A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals are carved or cast in a durable material such as wood, metal or stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close to life-size; a sculpture ...

" b/w "Amusement" 7" single (1981)

''Barefoot and Pregnant'' cassette compilation (1982)

''Kitten'' cassette compilation (1982)

Hüsker Dü, '' Everything Falls Apart'' 12" LP (1983)

, ''Voice of Reason'' 12" LP (1983)

Man Sized Action, ''Claustrophobia'' 12" LP (1983)

Final Conflict, ''Final Conflict'' 7" four-song EP (1983)

Ground Zero, ''Ground Zero'' 12" LP (1983)

Articles of Faith, ''Give Thanks'' 12" LP (1983)

Man Sized Action, ''Five-Story Garage'' 12" LP (1984)

Ground Zero, ''Pink'' 12" LP (1985)

, '' Tour-Spiel'' 7" four-song EP (1985)

Hüsker Dü, ''Live Featuring J.C.'' (2008)

References

Record labels established in 1979 Record labels disestablished in 1985 American independent record labels Independent record labels based in Minnesota Alternative rock record labels Defunct companies based in Minneapolis Indie rock record labels {{US-independent-record-label-stub