Italy Records is an independent record label founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1997, by self-confessed “record geek” Dave Buick. The label released its first 7” by Rocket 455 on October 31, 1997 shortly after Buick released a single by the Dirtys. The label went on to release the notable 7”s from Detroit rock & roll bands, from the garage rock scene including the first two 7”s by The White Stripes (“Let’s Shake Hands” and “Lafayette Blues”), the debut release from the Soledad Brothers (“Soledad”), and the first single from The Greenhornes (“Stayed Up Last Night”). Out of its twelve releases, Jack White featured in the production or performing of at least six. (More from Wikipedia)
Soledad Brothers released two singles for Italy Records and Estrus Records in 1998 and 1999, plus a self-produced album in 1998 called Master Supertone having a truly tiny release (just 20 copies were pressed). Jack White had produced the band’s second single, “The Gospel According to John”, and its success led to the album Soledad Brothers that came out on Estrus Records in 2000. The other half of the White Stripes, Meg White contributed some percussion to the album also. Besides their shared passion for blues rock, there were also personal reasons that led to this collaboration. Jack White and Ben Swank had previously been roommates, and Johnny Walker played slide guitar on two tracks on the band’s debut album, The White Stripes (1999): “Suzy Lee” and “I Fought Piranhas”. Walker is also credited with teaching Jack White how to play slide guitar.
(February 2015)
