Strange Club Records founder Brian Hanover has returned to the stage with False Flowers, a Goth-infused band that utilizes Punk’s energy within its darker, melodic backdrop. Hanover remains a fixture within the Punk community, having toured with impactful groups such as Youth Brigade and formed a group with legendary 7 Seconds singer Kevin Seconds. Hanover shares his excitement for False Flowers, stating that he can finally play a style of music that has long eluded him.
“I’ve always had a love for darker music, but for years, it felt like nobody really wanted to play this kind of music. Growing up, if I found someone outside the proverbial box, I would immediately approach them, but with Goth, it can feel like it’s even more outside of things,” laughed Hanover.
Hailing from California, Hanover was fortunate enough to experience and embrace the state’s rich Punk history, with the music and the message he retains today. He states he utilizes Punk’s DIY ethos in running every facet of Strange Club Records.
“The ethos remains within me because I learned early on that the music was a driving force for change, either for individual change or within communities. No matter how young I was, I always gravitated to the community, and starting Strange Club Records enabled me to create relationships with people from all over,” said Hanover.
His lifelong involvement within the subculture began at 12, where Hanover recalls approaching a skinhead on the local bus back in ‘87, hoping to gain more insight into Punk.
“The guy had pressed jeans and braces, and I just walked right up to him. He wasn’t white power or anything like that, and we just started talking. He had me come by, and he played me all this awesome music like The Adolescents and Cockney Rejects. That experience stayed with me and actually became an important moment onstage decades later,” shared Hanover.
With extensive touring experience in Punk bands, Hanover started throughout the years, including unique opportunities serving as Youth Brigade’s second guitarist in 2013, he still found himself returning to ambitious goals of expanding Strange Club Records and finally pursuing a Goth group.
“That tour with Youth Brigade was a great opportunity not just for the obvious reasons, but it enabled me to really think clearly about what I wanted to do next. I wanted to be more available for my child and also push myself to create differently. I started Strange Club in 2012, but it didn’t take off yet, and I also still found myself drawn to Goth music, but I wasn’t doing anything about it,” said Hanover.
Hanover returned from the Youth Brigade tour with a clearer vision of how to achieve his goals. He noted how organized and professional Youth Brigade remained after all those years of independently booking shows and launching BYO Records back in ‘82.
“It was impressive to see how they seamlessly booked their own tour while mapping out details for their Punk Rock Bowling event, which has been going strong since like ‘99. I run Strange Club Records very hands-on, much like they did with BYO. BYO Records made such positive impacts within communities,” said Hanover.
Strange Club Records reached its height in 2022 by closely collaborating with bands and artists to reissue limited runs of out-of-print or overlooked releases. Hanover says it offers bands opportunities to share music with newer fans by making releases readily available, while also giving bands the chance to release an album more on their terms, better aligned with their artistic vision.
“I’m not about it being a legacy, reissue label. It’s really about creating a new avenue for closer collaboration. When we did the TSOL Darker My Love release, it made a rare song available for fans, and it had Damned and Lou Reed cover songs that had not seen the light of day. Their keyboard player, Greg Kuehn, was into it and soon, singer Jack Grisham. He challenged me to have engaging artwork that was different than other releases. He said something like wanting it to be romantic,” laughed Hanover.
He added, “I have a friend who does poster designs, so he worked on some of the art concepts, and I have been screen printing merch for bands for years, so a lot of Strange Club releases really tie it all together for everyone involved.”
Hanover is using Strange Club to release False Flowers’ debut, citing past difficulties with other labels making him hesitant to shop the album for release. He stated he continues to draw inspiration from Dischord Records and how they successfully released records on their terms, enabling bands to maintain DIY ethos without sacrificing opportunities to reach supporting fans.
“I’ve been in bands that haven’t been treated well at times, and that can be a negative, trickle-down effect for everyone. False Flowers has been great because everyone brings their unique creativity and energy, making it a special experience that really excites me. Releasing it on Strange Club allows everyone’s ideas to be heard and stay actively involved,” said Hanover.
Hanover’s active involvement in the Punk subculture has given him unique opportunities for introspection and personal evolution. Whether playing onstage, releasing records, or printing merch, Hanover is always connected to the subculture. Perhaps one of his most impactful stage experiences came from beginning the evening as a fan, but circumstances had him engaging in a surprising moment for himself and the fans.
“The Adolescents were playing a show in Reno in 2012, and I was there with my friend doing some flyer work for a show. Their singer, Tony Cadena had missed his flight and couldn’t make it. My friend was playing in Youth Brigade and told Adolescents bassist Steve Soto how familiar I was with their material. I had joked that I could sing it, and before I knew it, Soto and I were working on the set list, and I ended up singing for The Adolescents that night!”
Hanover immediately returned to the experience of that fateful bus ride from 1987, and just how impactful seemingly small encounters can be.
“I always think about that, and if it wasn’t for that chance experience and that dubbed cassette tape, I never would’ve known The Adolescents’ material. Both that bus ride experience and singing onstage for The Adolescents years later were just so random but highly impactful,” reflected Hanover.
For Hanover, the conviction and messages of Punk resonate and highly impact him, as he continues seamlessly adopting the subculture’s ethos within his business and ultimately, his life.
“My screen printing business is over 20 years old, and I had this unique opportunity to create an independent lifestyle. It’s not uncommon for me to have a 60-hour workweek, but I still wanna be challenged while working to help others in the community. I feel Strange Club Records creates community while helping others achieve their goals,” said Hanover.
Asked how he adopts the messages of Punk rock within his personal evolution, Hanover states he remains energetic about the subculture and how DIY ethos further inspired him to grow Strange Club Records, while thinking about how his efforts can impact the community.
“I may see things through a different lens, but messages of unity are still important, but now? I feel harmony is more empowering. I’m still communicating through music and helping others achieve goals. I have been sensitive about the unhoused population, and when I’m working, I make sure to put some money aside to donate. I don’t have to glorify it, but it goes back to how important and impactful community can be,” concluded Hanover.
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