BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS - Punk and Crust Label since 2004, based in Pahang (Malaysia). We believe this is the most active & productive local label, with hundreds of releases and a wide distribution network. We had the opportunity to chat with the big boss, Aizz Rahim. Check it out!!!
- Interview by Atandistorted (August 23rd, 2022)
1: Please introduce about BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS; history of its establishment, objectives of its existence, where it is based, who handles this label, etc?
Hello, thanks for interviewing us in this issue, BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS just started in 2004 after I got back from the BATTLE OFDISARM / POWER OF IDEA / VOCO PROTESTA show live in KL. Before this, I’m just doing a small distribution that distributed some local label stuff in my hometown in 2002 and the distro called KONFLIK DISTRO. The idea came when I think I need to explore more good Japanese Crust/Hardcore/Punk band and share it with my local fellow and it’s our first objectives of the label existence. BKR is a small bedroom label that is based in an unpopular small town called Raub in Pahang. I just handle this label alone with help from my friend Na’im from Warcloud Records in certain parts like doing artwork. He’s really good at artwork job.
2: Why have you named this label BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS?
Black is similar to Anarcho/Crust punk and Konflik or Conflict is always a punk idea. So I just combined it to be a label name. In my teenage years I really into Anarchopunk stuff. Actually, it supposed to be Conflict in English but aah I don’t give a fuck, its punk anyway.
3: Do you own any other labels or sub-labels / sub-divisions to BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS?
There’s a sub-labels named POGO TAPES & DISC that are more into the Anarcho / UK82 punk style I started and the label is not so active. Just did a few releases only.
4: Hardcore/Punk has a variety of genres and sub-genres. Which styles do you like the most? Do your personal tastes influence the type of bands/music to be released under your label?
The most styles I like is Crust, Noisecore Punk, 80’s Hardcore and more. Definitely yes, my personal taste is to be a band I released under my label. All the bands I put out are my favourite and I like them so much. Firstly, I will listen to them, once their sounds are playing well in my ears then I will make an offer to release them. As I said before, when I think it’s good, I need to share with other people about the band. So that is the label playing part of.
5: I believe that it is difficult to choose just a few from so many releases under your label but if you had to make a selection, which releases are the best or at least your personal favourites? (state the reason why if possible)
Yeah, it’s very hard to choose it, but for definitely all is my favourite band and love them so much, as the band from label release is my current personal favourite is RIGORIOUS INSTITUTION. They played some kind of early 80’s Bristols crust/punk like mighty AMEBIX with some touch of DARKTHRONE style and some industrial. The album I just put out really blew my head. It’s really the mind of the 80’s Bristols scene in all early AMEBIX EP’s and SPIDERLEG Records era. Totally ripped!
6: Which format do you prefer; Tapes or CDs or Vinyls... and why? On the other side, what are your thoughts on digital format?
I love all the 3 formats, but I’m more into CDs actually. The reason is, my daily job requires me to travel by car, so the only time I have to listen to the band’s material is when I travel. So a CD is the best format I need to use in my car. Besides that, I can listen to a maximum of 80 minutes of songs hahaha! But, compared to the other formats, Vinyls is still the best and number 1 for the music lover. In any case, I’m not a collector, just a listener. So even, tape, CD or Vinyl, all is good with me as long as I can listen to the band’s music due to some band not putting out their material in those 3 formats, sometimes just on tape, or CD or Vinyl. Most punk bands, especially DIY bands, are doing those things.
7: What about the sales and distribution of products from BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS apart from online/mailorder marketing, do you have a physical record shop?
BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS is just doing an online/mailorder only. We have our distributor to cover some regions and local scenes in the USA, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, and Taiwan etc. I have no physical record shop, but my only releases can just walk in direct to my friend’s physical record shop named SPYDER 45 based in Campbell Complex, KL. You can find and get our releases there and a lot of interesting stuff has also been there too.
8: Has your label ever organized any gigs or any related events? Or help any touring bands in your country?
So far just one show for a band named GERM ATTAK from Canada. Besides that, just help some friends with driving a band that they organize. I was staying far from KL, it takes 2 hours to drive and my daily job is really busy and I don’t have enough time, but if there’s a band playing under my label ask for the touring I will do for them. So far, not yet. Perhaps in the future.
9: Apart from music products, what other types of merchandise are produced under BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS? Do you publish your own fanzine or at least a newsletter / catalog-zine for the label?
So far BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS just do a CD and Tapes release only due to my daily job being really busy and I still need a time to do all this. Maybe in the future we will produce a T-shirt because many bands under my label are asking for that. Oh, there’s no catalog-zine for my label. As only I did old school flyers to keep the traditional mailorder style when I ship the order.
10: Sorry for so many questions but thank you for answering. Any last words?
Thank you so much, it’s good to have this interview in your zine! It really means a lot for us at BLACK KONFLIK RECORDS. My last word is, please keep the physical stuff alive and it has a really good memory also a value as a music lover and do support your local scene band, show, distro and label to keep the scene active and alive. Cheers!