Clemens "Cle" Pecher - Label Manager

Please tell us something about the background of Grazil Records (GR) at the beginning. How long have you been around, how did it come about, which styles find a home with you, who is behind GR, etc.?
Cle: I founded GR during the first COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020. My first test releases were old self-produced tracks, which I re-released digitally in August 2020. Then came the first tapes, vinyls, and CDs. Grazil is open to all genres, but the focus is on punk, hardcore punk, metal, sludge, and noise. I run the label on my own with friends from the Graz underground scene.

Honestly, I can’t quite understand your motto „bad music for bad people“. What’s behind it? There are certainly bands/artists in your rooster or even potential interested parties who feel attacked/deterred by this ... right? At least I could imagine that.
Cle: There have never been any complaints about this motto. The correct translation into German is not „bad music“ but „evil“ or „nasty“ music. I got it from the 1985 album of the same name by the band THE DAMNED. It came about because there is a radio station in Graz that introduced the motto „Good Music For Good People“ as its branding a few years ago. That annoyed me a bit, and besides, the Grazil program is unplayable on that station. Hence „Bad Music For Bad People“...

Do you still include bands in your Rooster? If so, what do these bands have to bring to the table to be interesting for GR? What is particularly important to you?
Cle: Yes, Grazil is always open to new ideas, even though the schedule for 2026 is already very full. It’s important to me that the artists also play live and perform regularly. Artists who want to work with Grazil need to know in advance that I don’t make false promises and only bake very small rolls, DIY style. Grazil also does not work with racists, sexists, fascists, or rock stars. Grazil treats all artists with appreciation and respect, and we expect the same from our partners.

Release date: 19th of April, 2026
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/grazilrecords/