{{Short description|American independent record label}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music --> | name = Man's Ruin Records | image = MansRuinRecordsLogo.png | founded = {{start date|1994}} | founder = Frank Kozik | defunct = {{end date|2001}} | status = Defunct | genre = | country = United States | location = San Francisco, California }}
'''Man's Ruin Records''' was an independent record label owned and founded by San Francisco Bay Area artist Frank Kozik.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Kozik |first=Frank |interviewer=Francine |subject-link=Frank Kozik |title=Frank Kozik Interview |url=https://www.vinylpulse.com/2005/10/we_learned_of_h.html |date=October 18, 2005 |work=Vinyl Pulse |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130132825/https://www.vinylpulse.com/2005/10/we_learned_of_h.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anon. |date=January 1995 |title=Kozik's Man's Ruin - Birth of a Label |url=http://www.addict.com/issues/1.01/Cover_Story/Man's_Ruin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010430122818/http://www.addict.com/issues/1.01/Cover_Story/Man's_Ruin.html |archive-date=2001-04-30 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Addicted to Noise}}</ref> In total, the record label released over 200 singles and albums, with most of the artwork designed by Kozik.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yossman |first=K. J. |title=Frank Kozik, Iconic Graphic Artist Behind Album Covers Including the Offpsring's 'Americana,' Dies at 61 |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/frank-kozik-dead-kidrobot-1235608364/ |work=Variety |access-date=May 17, 2023 |date=May 10, 2023 |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510173337/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/frank-kozik-dead-kidrobot-1235608364/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vinyl"></ref>
After the 1995 release of Man's Ruin's first record, ''Experimental Audio Research (EAR): Delta 6'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Experimental Audio Research – Delta 6 |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/271103-Experimental-Audio-Research-Delta-6 | website=Discogs |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230519021939/https://www.discogs.com/master/271103-Experimental-Audio-Research-Delta-6 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kozik worked with artists whom he wanted to release. He also designed all of the sleeve-art for the releases.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=O'Neal |first=Sean |title=Frank Kozik Perfected the Rock Poster Into a Fine and Filthy Art |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/frank-kozik-obituary/ |date=May 11, 2023 | magazine=Texas Monthly |publisher=Emmis Publishing |location=Austin |access-date=May 19, 2023 }} {{subscription required}}</ref> The catalog of Man's Ruin is vast, including relatively famous bands such as the Hellacopters,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/x9wm8v/hellacopters-debut-out-in-us |title=Hellacopters' Debut Out In U.S. |date=December 15, 1998 |work=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601030137/https://www.mtv.com/news/x9wm8v/hellacopters-debut-out-in-us |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nebula,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stoner Rock Greats Nebula Help Bottom Of The Hill Mark 30 Years of Music |last=Pehling |first=Dave |date=September 11, 2021 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/nebula-bottom-of-the-hill-san-francisco-sasquatch/ |access-date=July 11, 2023 |work=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518053517/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/nebula-bottom-of-the-hill-san-francisco-sasquatch/ |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kyuss,<ref>{{Cite news |title=New (& Last?) Kyuss Record |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/rkl32e/new-last-kyuss-record |date=January 11, 1996 |work=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531052636/https://www.mtv.com/news/rkl32e/new-last-kyuss-record |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> High on Fire,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/09/29/high-on-fire-the-art-of-self-defense-mans-ruin/a31b8636-4ad9-4822-a383-22d794218b28/ |last=Jenkins |first=Mark |date=September 29, 2000 |title=High on Fire 'The Art of Self-Defense' Man's Ruin |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630123838/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/09/29/high-on-fire-the-art-of-self-defense-mans-ruin/a31b8636-4ad9-4822-a383-22d794218b28/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date= June 30, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Entombed, Turbonegro,<ref name="Turbo" /> 13eaver, Queens of the Stone Age,<ref>{{Cite news |last=van Horn |first=Teri |title=Queens Of The Stone Age At Home In Desert |date=November 12, 1998 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/vbiowq/queens-of-the-stone-age-at-home-in-desert |work=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928164427/https://www.mtv.com/news/vbiowq/queens-of-the-stone-age-at-home-in-desert |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Electric Wizard,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man's Ruin Records Archives - Page 2 of 4 |url=https://theobelisk.net/obelisk/tag/mans-ruin-records/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=The Obelisk}}</ref> and the Sex Pistols;<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Michael |title=Rare Sex Pistols Tracks To Surface Soon |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/oht0ec/rare-sex-pistols-tracks-to-surface-soon |date=June 19, 1996 |work=MTV |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519222054/https://www.mtv.com/news/oht0ec/rare-sex-pistols-tracks-to-surface-soon |access-date=May 19, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and also lesser known bands such as FuckEmos,<ref name="Ruined" /> Soulpreacher, Angel Rot, Orange Goblin<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koczan |first=J. J. |date=2019-03-15 |title=FRIDAY FULL-LENGTH: Electric Wizard & Orange Goblin, 'Chrono.Naut / Nuclear Guru' Split |url=https://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2019/03/15/electric-wizard-orange-goblin-chrono-naut-nuclear-guru-split-in-full/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=The Obelisk}}</ref> and the Cowslingers.<ref name="catalog">{{cite web |title=Man's Ruin Records |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/34161-Mans-Ruin-Records |website=Discogs |access-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128123350/https://www.discogs.com/label/34161-Mans-Ruin-Records |url-status=live }}</ref> The last record released was from Begotten.<ref name="catalog" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Begotten Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Man's Ruin Debut, Announce Limited Edition Vinyl Release |website=BraveWords.com |date=July 21, 2021 |url=https://bravewords.com/news/begotten-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-mans-ruin-debut-announce-limited-edition-vinyl-release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722014258/https://bravewords.com/news/begotten-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-mans-ruin-debut-announce-limited-edition-vinyl-release |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The label was officially closed by 2002. The label's slogan was "Empty Pleasures and Desperate Measures since 1994".<ref name="Monsterriff">{{Cite web |last=Schober |first=Patrick |date=July 25, 2020|title=The Rise and Fall of Man's Ruin Records: Empty Pleasures and Desperate Measures From 1994-2002 |url=https://monsterriff.com/2020/07/25/the-rise-and-fall-of-mans-ruin-records-empty-pleasures-and-desperate-measures-from-1994-2002/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=Monster Riff |language=en-US |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209114740/https://monsterriff.com/2020/07/25/the-rise-and-fall-of-mans-ruin-records-empty-pleasures-and-desperate-measures-from-1994-2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Operations== Man's Ruin aimed to prioritize the needs and interests of artists. Recordings were licensed for a time period of two to five years, and all copyrights and publishing liberties were retained by the bands.<ref name="Monsterriff" /><ref name="Ruined">{{Cite news |title=Dancing About Architecture |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2001-09-14/82927/ |last=Lieck |first=Ken |date=September 14, 2001 |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515022549/https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2001-09-14/82927/ |archive-date=May 15, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Profits on releases were split 50-50 between band and label.<ref name="Monsterriff" /> The posters and album art spanning Kozik's career, including from the Man's Ruin era, are still very coveted.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whittaker |first=Richard |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Frank Kozik (1962-2023), the Man Behind a Poster Revolution |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2023-05-12/frank-kozik-1962-2023-the-man-behind-a-poster-revolution/ |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512202745/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2023-05-12/frank-kozik-1962-2023-the-man-behind-a-poster-revolution/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The limited print vinyl have been rising in value due to two factors: the majority of covers were screen-printed and numbered by Kozik,<ref>{{cite web |title=Frank Kozik |url=https://www.southpop.org/artists/2019/3/4/frank-kozik |website=South Austin Museum of Popular Culture |date=March 4, 2019 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419203448/https://www.southpop.org/artists/2019/3/4/frank-kozik |url-status=live }}</ref> and most records were released in editions of 5,000 copies or less.<ref name="Revolver" /><ref name="vinyl">{{cite news |title=Kozik at Vanguard of Vinyl Resurgence, by Design |last=Snyder |first=Michael |date=July 6, 1995 |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kozik-at-Vanguard-of-Vinyl-Resurgence-by-Design-3028745.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514132349/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kozik-at-Vanguard-of-Vinyl-Resurgence-by-Design-3028745.php |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Raoul |date=September 12, 1997 |title=I'm Sorry, Yogi |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/1997-09-12/518394/ |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512105209/https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/1997-09-12/518394/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the most sought-after records from the Man's Ruin catalog are the ''Desert Sessions'' compilations,<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.mondosonoro.com/noticias-actualidad-musical/muere-frank-kozik/ |magazine=Mondo Sonoro |location=Barcelona |language=Spanish |date=May 10, 2023 |access-date=July 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517202607/https://www.mondosonoro.com/noticias-actualidad-musical/muere-frank-kozik/ |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |title=Muere Frank Kozik, uno de los grandes del diseño gráfico rock |url-status=live }}</ref> a brainchild of Kozik,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ex-Kyuss Guitarist Surfaces From '70s Desert Flashback |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/r4l3f8/ex-kyuss-guitarist-surfaces-from-70s-desert-flashback |work=MTV |date=October 17, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519230848/https://www.mtv.com/news/r4l3f8/ex-kyuss-guitarist-surfaces-from-70s-desert-flashback |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which were released in highly limited editions on clear and colored vinyl.<ref name="DesertSessions-Discogs">{{cite web |title=The Desert Sessions |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/283792-The-Desert-Sessions |website=Discogs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315021239/https://www.discogs.com/artist/283792-The-Desert-Sessions |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The CD versions of the first six volumes, as well as the rest of the entire Man's Ruin catalog, have gone out of print with the demise of the label.<ref name="DesertSessions-Discogs" /> Subsequent volumes of ''The Desert Sessions'' were released on Josh Homme's Rekords Rekords.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rekords Rekords |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/73907-Rekords-Rekords |website=Discogs |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227222138/https://www.discogs.com/label/73907-Rekords-Rekords |url-status=live }}</ref>
Man's Ruin specialized in producing and releasing limited edition 10" EP records.<ref name="catalog"></ref> Often an album would be released in several different sets, such as the first release from Queens of the Stone Age in 1998, which was released on Man's Ruin in three editions: 2,500 black, 300 green, and 200 orange/yellow. A subsequent pressing of 198 copies on blue vinyl was made independently by the band as a "tour edition".<ref name="Revolver">{{cite web |first=J. |last=Bennett |title=White Whale Vinyl: Queens of the Stone Age's Debut Is the One That Got Away |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/white-whale-vinyl-queens-stone-ages-debut-one-got-away |website=Revolver |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203195506/https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/white-whale-vinyl-queens-stone-ages-debut-one-got-away |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Queens Of The Stone Age / Beaver |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/115431-Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Beaver-Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Beaver |website=Discogs |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409092946/https://www.discogs.com/master/115431-Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Beaver-Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Beaver |url-status=live }}</ref> The vast majority of records released on the label were colored.<ref name="catalog"></ref>
The label was distributed in the US and UK by Mordam Records,<ref>{{cite interview |last=Kozik |first=Frank |title=Frank Kozik (#71, 08-1998) |subject-link=Frank Kozik |interviewer=Andreas |url=https://www.trust-zine.de/frank-kozik-interview-1998/ |work=Trust Fanzine |location=Mainz, Germany |date=March 14, 2007 |language=German |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128223851/https://www.trust-zine.de/frank-kozik-interview-1998/ |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and then a brief and unsuccessful switch was made to RED Distribution,<ref name="AVClub">{{Cite interview |last=Kozik |first=Frank |interviewer=Scott Tobias |subject-link=Frank Kozik |work=The A.V. Club |title=Frank Kozik |url=https://www.avclub.com/frank-kozik-1798208075 |date=January 26, 2000 |publisher=G/O Media |location=Chicago |access-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117001557/https://www.avclub.com/frank-kozik-1798208075 |archive-date=November 17, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="catalog"></ref> resulting in the demise of the label after a series of problems.<ref name="Monsterriff" /> Internationally, Man's Ruin distributed its own music for the most part,<ref name="AVClub" /> though the label also worked with Swedish distributor and record label House of Kicks.<ref>{{cite web |title=House of Kicks |url=https://www.discogs.com/label/40002-House-Of-Kicks-Records |website=Discogs |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228172853/https://www.discogs.com/label/40002-House-Of-Kicks-Records |access-date=May 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike most releases in music today, the international releases from Man's Ruin did not differ from the domestic American releases. However, it was not uncommon for the cover of a vinyl release to differ from that of the CD edition of the release.<ref name="catalog"></ref>
As a print shop, Man's Ruin printed its own art as well as posters for other artists such as Coop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashare |first=Matt |title=Poster Children |url=https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/07-18-96/mus.htm |date=July 18, 1996 |work=Tucson Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214225705/https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/07-18-96/mus.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Decline and fall== The label became defunct after a series of distribution changes and problems involving the label having outgrown its original distributor. Man's Ruin also lost its lease at the height of the Bay Area dot-com boom and was shut down for a period of several months while attempting to relocate its offices. This combination led to its demise at the end of 2001.<ref name="Monsterriff" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Pehling |first=Dave |title=Influential graphic artist and designer Frank Kozik dead at age 61 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/acclaimed-graphic-artist-and-designer-frank-kozik-dead-at-age-61/ |work=CBS News |access-date=May 17, 2023 |date=May 10, 2023 |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510153823/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/acclaimed-graphic-artist-and-designer-frank-kozik-dead-at-age-61/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The label's website was shut down a few months later. Internet users who wished to view the Man's Ruin website were simply greeted with the message: "sorry mansruin never paid their bill and their site is no longer here".<ref name="Heart">{{cite web |last=S. |first=Ilya |title=Label Profile – Man's Ruin Records |url=https://ihrtn.net/label-profile-mans-ruin-records/ |website=IHeartNoise |date=November 23, 2008 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201235301/https://ihrtn.net/label-profile-mans-ruin-records/ |access-date=May 20, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> All operations ended and licenses were returned to the various copyright holders in 2002.<ref name="Monsterriff" />
After closing Man's Ruin, Kozik dedicated himself to fine art, design, and the burgeoning toy art industry.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web |url=https://www.frankkozik.net/about.html |title=Biography |last= |first= |date= |website=FrankKozik.net |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205182543/http://www.frankkozik.net/about.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Several bands that worked with Man's Ruin, including Fu Manchu, Turbonegro,<ref name="Turbo">{{cite web |title=Turbo Negro - The Turbonegro Story |url=https://pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=11616 |website=Pennyblackmusic.co.uk |access-date=May 19, 2023 |date=August 16, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519174319/https://pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=11616 |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Acid King,<ref>{{cite news |title=SF Stoner Rock Favorites Headline The Chapel |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sf-stoner-rock-favorites-headline-the-chapel/ |work=CBS News |access-date=May 19, 2023 |date=June 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517214713/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/sf-stoner-rock-favorites-headline-the-chapel/ |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Hellacopters,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hellacopters |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/261426-The-Hellacopters |website=Discogs |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217041330/https://www.discogs.com/artist/261426-The-Hellacopters |url-status=live }}</ref> have re-released the albums they recorded with the label, either independently or on other record labels.
== See also == * List of record labels * Man's Ruin Records discography
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.frankkozik.net/ FrankKozik.net] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20020725071848/http://www.fkozik.com/ FKozik.com] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080617110326/http://forbiddeneye.com/labels/mansruin.html Man's Ruin Discography] * [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://mansruin.com/ Mansruin.com on the Internet Archive]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Record labels established in 1994 Category:Record labels disestablished in 2002 Category:American independent record labels Category:Alternative rock record labels Category:Defunct record labels of the United States