-ismist Recordings

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-ismist Recordings was an American independent record label based in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was founded in 1992 by Dan Schlissel and started out under the name -ism (short for “In Spite of Myself”). In 1996 the label changed its name to -ismist after a band objected to the original name.

The label released nearly 80 records in the 1990s across a wide range of styles, including indie rock, punk, metal, rap, ska, singer‑songwriter, and comedy. Its first release, Such Sweet Thunder’s Redneck/Burning Ditches (1992), helped establish the label’s presence in the Midwest. Notable early artists included Killdozer, House of Large Sizes, Polecat, and Season to Risk. In 1996 -ismist released Slipknot’s Mate.Feed.Kill.Repeat, which helped the band gain attention before they moved on to Roadrunner Records.

-ismist is also known for comedy albums by Lewis Black and Doug Stanhope, helping bring stand-up comedy to a wider audience. Lewis Black’s The White Album (1999) was a notable success, selling around 60,000 copies.

Facing challenges as bands split up or relocated, Dan Schlissel moved to Minneapolis in the late 1990s and shifted focus toward comedy. He launched Stand Up! Records in 2000, and by 2002 -ismist had effectively ended, replaced by Stand Up! Records. The -ismist name has seen occasional revivals, such as the 2006 Killdozer tribute We Will Bury You and various Nebraska compilation projects (LINOMA).