Fat Wreck Chords Sells Catalog to Hopeless Records — But This Isn’t a Goodbye

In a move that’s sending ripples through the punk rock world, legendary independent label Fat Wreck Chords has officially sold its entire back catalog to Hopeless Records, one of the most prominent labels in the modern punk and alt-rock scene. But this isn’t a typical sale — it’s a bold and surprising act of solidarity with artists, signaling both an end and a new beginning for the iconic label.

The sale, confirmed on Wednesday (July 9), includes the master and publishing rights to nearly 700 releases from the San Francisco-based label. But the heart of this deal isn’t just business — it’s personal. Fat Wreck co-founders Fat Mike and Erin Burkett made the decision to use the profits to eliminate all outstanding debt owed by their artists, an unprecedented move in an industry often criticized for squeezing every cent from musicians.

“I never wanted to be a businessman,” Fat Mike told Billboard. “But I did end up starting a label that sold millions of records and helped a ton of different bands… So we sold it. But we sold it to people we like. To people who care.”

Founded in 1990 by NOFX frontman Fat Mike and Erin Burkett, Fat Wreck became a pillar of the 1990s punk resurgence — releasing seminal records from NOFX, Lagwagon, Propagandhi, Strung Out, Against Me!, and countless others. Its logo became a badge of honor on CD inserts, flyers, and tattooed skin.

But according to an interview with Punknews.org, the decision to sell wasn’t made lightly. Fat Wreck had been reportedly fielding offers for years, some from major corporations and private equity firms. “We had offers that would have made more money,” Fat Mike noted. “But Hopeless is still punk. Still ethical. Still real.”

What truly separates this deal is its outcome: all artist debt incurred through Fat Wreck was wiped clean. In the traditional record label model, artists are often required to “recoup” expenses such as recording, manufacturing, and promotion before seeing a dime of royalties. For many, this leads to years — even decades — of lingering debt. That chapter is now closed for Fat Wreck’s roster.

“This sale didn’t line our pockets,” Fat Mike emphasized. “It helped pay off the people who made Fat what it was — the bands.”

As for what’s next, the Fat name isn’t disappearing. Though the catalog has been transferred, Fat Mike and Erin Burkett retained the Fat Wreck Chords trademark, leaving the door open for new projects, reissues, or an entirely new chapter in punk’s storied DIY legacy.

Hopeless Records, home to artists like The Wonder Years, Neck Deep, and Bayside, inherits a catalog that shaped generations of punks and still resonates today. Hopeless founder Louis Posen, who shares a long history with Fat Wreck, expressed excitement over continuing to preserve and promote the catalog’s cultural importance.

This move signals more than just a business transaction — it’s a powerful reminder of punk’s roots in community, mutual respect, and taking care of your own.

As Fat Mike put it: “We wanted to make sure we didn’t just walk away. We wanted to leave the punk scene better than we found it.”