Wax Trax! Records

Wax Trax! Records

Profile:
The Wax Trax! story started in the mid-1970s when partners Jim Nash (2) & Dannie Flesher opened a record store under that name in Denver, Colorado. In 1978, they sold the Denver store (which is still open) and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where they opened a new Wax Trax! location.

After releasing a couple of low-key limited edition records, Nash and Flesher officially launched the Wax Trax! record label on a wider scale in 1981 with the release of a 12" EP by experimental punk band Strike Under, followed in 1982 by a 7" by disco/dance artist Divine. But it was their third release - a re-issue of Ministry's "Cold Life" EP, which had been one of their earlier limited edition offerings - that really set the tone for the label's future as North America's premiere home for electro-industrial music.

Aside from releasing the early Ministry/Revolting Cocks material, Wax Trax! specialized mainly in licencing European releases by artists such as Front 242, Coil and Laibach. They had a very close relationship with Play It Again Sam, initially sub-licencing many of their releases, and later launching an official Play It Again Sam Records USA label.

The label fell on hard times in the early 1990s due to many of their artists leaving for major labels. In 1992/93, the label was bought by TVT Records and remained active with Nash & Flescher retaining creative control. But despite their involvement the pioneering spirit of the label never recovered. Nash's death in 1995 was considered by many signal the true end of the label, but TVT continued to use the imprint for many of their electronic releases, including several titles licensed from Warp Records, until the late '90s.

On June 14, 2014, Wax Trax! (now led by Jim Nash's daughter, Julia Nash) officially released its first new music in twenty years with the 'TKO Mindfuck' 12" single by Cocksure (Chris Connelly and Jason Novak).
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
(Original) 2449 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 929-0221
(Current) 1120 N. Ashland Ave, #3
Chicago, IL 60622
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
12 DVN 104 PTP - Rubber Glove Seduction PTP Rubber Glove Seduction(12", Single) Devotion (2) 12 DVN 104 UK 1992 Sell This Version
12.TVT.8717-0 Autechre - Basscad,EP (Basscadetmxs.3A) Autechre Basscad,EP (Basscadetmxs.3A)(12", EP) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records 12.TVT.8717-0 US 1994 Sell This Version
1301-2 Cubanate - Interference Cubanate Interference(CD, Album) Unacceptable!, Wax Trax! Records 1301-2 Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
7216-2V Die Warzau - Engine Die Warzau Engine(CD, Album, Promo) Wax Trax! Records 7216-2V US 1994 Sell This Version
103015X Strike Under - Immediate Action Strike Under Immediate Action (EP) 103015X US 1981 Sell This Version
105021X Divine - Born To Be Cheap Divine Born To Be Cheap(7", Single) Wax Trax! Records 105021X US 1981 Sell This Version
110072X Ministry - I'm Falling / Cold Life Ministry I'm Falling / Cold Life 110072X US 1981 Sell This Version
828 360-2 Various - Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth Movie Soundtrack Various Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth Movie Soundtrack(CD, Comp) Victory (10) 828 360-2 Europe 1992 Sell This Version
27761-90-IN Various - The Animatrix (The Album) Various The Animatrix (The Album)(CD, Comp) Warner Bros. Records 27761-90-IN US 2003 Sell This Version
27919-90-IN Various - The Animatrix (The Album) Various The Animatrix (The Album)(CD, Comp) Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. Records 27919-90-IN US 2003 Sell This Version
003745 001J001 Various - Wax Trax Records (Video Sampler 1) Various Wax Trax Records (Video Sampler 1)(VHS, Smplr, NTSC) Wax Trax! Records 003745 001J001 US 1988 Sell This Version
0047527 001d001 Various - Untitled Various Untitled(VHS, Advance, NTSC) Wax Trax! Records 0047527 001d001 US 1989 Sell This Version
383 480 007-2 Various - Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth Movie Soundtrack Various Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth Movie Soundtrack(CD, Comp) Victory (10) 383 480 007-2 US 1992 Sell This Version
7243 8403182 4 Chris Connelly - Shipwreck Chris Connelly Shipwreck(CD, Album) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records 7243 8403182 4 France 1994 Sell This Version
7243 8403792 5 KMFDM - Nihil KMFDM Nihil(CD, Album) Wax Trax! Records, KMFDM Enterprises, TVT Records 7243 8403792 5 Europe 1995 Sell This Version
7243 8414892 8 Psykosonik - Unlearn Psykosonik Unlearn(CD, Album) Labels, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records 7243 8414892 8 France 1996 Sell This Version
724384204426 KMFDM - Xtort KMFDM Xtort(CD, Album) Wax Trax! Records, Labels, TVT Records, KMFDM Enterprises 724384204426 France 1996 Sell This Version
ACD 1495 Various - Hackers² Various Hackers²(CD, Comp) Attic, Edel America Records, Edel ACD 1495 Canada 1997 Sell This Version
ALR 1118 Underworld - Dubnobasswithmyheadman Underworld Dubnobasswithmyheadman(Cass, Album, RE, Unofficial) Always Records ALR 1118 Russia 2000 Sell This Version
AMDJ042897 DJ Shadow / Underworld - Midnight In A Perfect World / Pearl's Girl DJ Shadow / Underworld DJ Shadow / Underworld - Midnight In A Perfect World / Pearl's Girl(12", Promo) Mo Wax, A&M Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records AMDJ042897 Canada 1997 Sell This Version
BIUS 1008 Siglo XX - Fear And Desire Siglo XX Fear And Desire(LP, Album) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 1008 US 1988 Sell This Version
BIUS 1017 The Legendary Pink Dots - The Golden Age The Legendary Pink Dots The Golden Age(LP, Album) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 1017 US 1989 Sell This Version
BIUS 1039 The Legendary Pink Dots - The Crushed Velvet Apocalypse The Legendary Pink Dots The Crushed Velvet Apocalypse(LP, Album) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 1039 US 1990 Sell This Version
BIUS 3020 The Weathermen - Bang! The Weathermen Bang!(12", M/Print) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 3020 US 1989 Sell This Version
BIUS 3047 The Cassandra Complex - Finland The Cassandra Complex Finland(12", EP) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 3047 US 1990 Sell This Version
BIUS 3048 The Legendary Pink Dots - Princess Coldheart The Legendary Pink Dots Princess Coldheart(12") Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUS 3048 US 1990 Sell This Version
BIUSCD 1010 Test Dept. - Terra Firma Test Dept. Terra Firma(CD, Album) Wax Trax! Records BIUSCD 1010 US 1988 Sell This Version
BIUSCD 1029 The Young Gods - L'Eau Rouge - Red Water The Young Gods L'Eau Rouge - Red Water(CD, Album) Play It Again Sam Records USA, Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUSCD 1029 US 1989 Sell This Version
BIUSCS 1005 The Neon Judgement - Horny As Hell The Neon Judgement Horny As Hell(Cass, Album) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUSCS 1005 US 1987 Sell This Version
BIUSCS 1018 The Neon Judgement - General Pain & Major Disease The Neon Judgement General Pain & Major Disease(Cass, Comp) Play It Again Sam Records USA BIUSCS 1018 US 1989 Sell This Version
BLRD 87 KMFDM - Sucks KMFDM Sucks(CD, Single) Big Life, Big Life BLRD 87 UK 1992 Sell This Version
BLRT 87 KMFDM - Sucks KMFDM Sucks(12", Single) Wax Trax! Records BLRT 87 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CDDVN4 Revolting Cocks - Beers, Steers + Queers (The Compact Disc) Revolting Cocks Beers, Steers + Queers (The Compact Disc)(CD, Album, RE) Devotion (2) CDDVN4 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CDDVN6 Revolting Cocks - Big Sexy Land Revolting Cocks Big Sexy Land(CD, Album, RE) Devotion (2) CDDVN6 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CDDVN13 Chris Connelly - Phenobarb Bambalam Chris Connelly Phenobarb Bambalam(CD, Album) Devotion (2) CDDVN13 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CDDVN 14 Chris Connelly - Whiplash Boychild Chris Connelly Whiplash Boychild(CD, Album) Devotion (2) CDDVN 14 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CDDVN 103 Acid Horse - No Name, No Slogan Acid Horse No Name, No Slogan(CD, Single, RE) Devotion (2) CDDVN 103 UK 1992 Sell This Version
cddvn108 Chris Connelly - Come Down Here Chris Connelly Come Down Here(CD, Single) Devotion (2), Devotion (2) cddvn108 UK 1992 Sell This Version
CK 66909 Various - Johnny Mnemonic (Music From The Motion Picture) Various Johnny Mnemonic (Music From The Motion Picture) (Comp) CK 66909 US 1995 Sell This Version
CK 69983 Various - Y2K Beat The Clock Various Y2K Beat The Clock (Comp) CK 69983 US 1999 Sell This Version
CPROD CD 012 Various - Funky Alternatives Five Various Funky Alternatives Five(CD, Comp) Concrete Productions, Pinpoint Records CPROD CD 012 Germany 1990 Sell This Version
DRA 488971 2 KMFDM - Symbols KMFDM Symbols(CD, Album) Dragnet, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, KMFDM Enterprises DRA 488971 2 Germany 1997 Sell This Version
DVN 4 Revolting Cocks - Beers, Steers + Queers (The Album) Revolting Cocks Beers, Steers + Queers (The Album)(LP, Album, RE) Devotion (2) DVN 4 UK 1992 Sell This Version
DVN 13 Chris Connelly - Phenobarb Bambalam Chris Connelly Phenobarb Bambalam(LP, Album) Devotion (2) DVN 13 UK 1992 Sell This Version
DVN 14 Chris Connelly - Whiplash Boychild Chris Connelly Whiplash Boychild(LP, Album) Devotion (2) DVN 14 UK 1992 Sell This Version
EBR 001 Strange Circuits - Industrial Living Strange Circuits Industrial Living(7") Wax Trax! Records EBR 001 US 1980 Sell This Version
edel 0022822CIN Various - Scream (Music From The Dimension Motion Picture) Various Scream (Music From The Dimension Motion Picture) (Comp) edel 0022822CIN Europe 1997 Sell This Version
EFA 06305-26 Various - Electrocity Vol.2 Various Electrocity Vol.2(CD, Comp) Ausfahrt, Ausfahrt EFA 06305-26 Germany 1992 Sell This Version
FEASTCD 01 Various - Alternative Route '94 Various Alternative Route '94(2xCD, Comp, Promo) Cargo Records FEASTCD 01 Canada 1994 Sell This Version
KLF 004X The KLF Featuring The Children Of The Revolution - What Time Is Love? (Live At Trancentral) The KLF Featuring The Children Of The Revolution The KLF Featuring The Children Of The Revolution - What Time Is Love? (Live At Trancentral)(12", Gre) Wax Trax! Records, KLF Communications KLF 004X US 1990 Sell This Version
none KMFDM - KMFDM "Son Of A Gun" (Single) none US 1996 Sell This Version
none Braindead Sound Machine - Come Down From The Hills And Make My Baby Braindead Sound Machine Come Down From The Hills And Make My Baby(CD, Album) Torso, Wax Trax! Records none Netherlands 1991 Sell This Version
none Various - Wax Trax! Compilation Various Wax Trax! Compilation (Comp) none US 1989 Sell This Version
none Psychoslaphead - Psychoslaphead Psychoslaphead Psychoslaphead(4xFile, MP3, 256) Wax Trax! Records none US 2010
none Revolting Cocks - (Let's Get) Physical Revolting Cocks (Let's Get) Physical(12", TP, W/Lbl) Wax Trax! Records none US 1989 Sell This Version
none Psykosonik - Welcome To My Mind Psykosonik Welcome To My Mind(VHS) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records none US Unknown Sell This Version
none Psykosonik - Panik Kontrol (Remix) Psykosonik Panik Kontrol (Remix)(12", Single, W/Lbl) Wax Trax! Records none US 1997 Sell This Version
none Naked Raygun - Over The Overlords Naked Raygun Over The Overlords(15xFile, MP3, Album, 320) Wax Trax! Records none 2021
none Various - ! (Wax Trax! Sampler #2) Various ! (Wax Trax! Sampler #2) none US 1989 Sell This Version
none My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - Any Way Ya Wanna My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult Any Way Ya Wanna(2xFile, FLAC, 24-) Wax Trax! Records none Worldwide 2023
none Sister Machine Gun - Sins Of The Flesh Sister Machine Gun Sins Of The Flesh(9xFile, AAC, Album, 128) Wax Trax! Records none US Unknown
none Cocksure (2) - TKO Mindfuck Cocksure (2) TKO Mindfuck(3xFile, FLAC, Single) Wax Trax! Records none US 2014
none KMFDM - Money KMFDM Money(VHS, Promo) Wax Trax! Records none US 1992 Sell This Version
none Lead Into Gold - Low & Slow Lead Into Gold Low & Slow none Worldwide 2015
none KMFDM - Megalomaniac KMFDM Megalomaniac Remixes Part 2 none US 1997 Sell This Version
none KMFDM - A-Go-Go KMFDM A-Go-Go(Cass, Comp, Promo) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records none US 1998 Sell This Version
none Various - Warning Various Warning(Cass, Comp, Promo) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, Warp Records, Blunt Recordings none US 1993 Sell This Version
none Underworld - Untitled Underworld Untitled(VHS, Advance, NTSC) Wax Trax! Records none US 1994 Sell This Version
none Various - Wax Trax! Sampler #1 Various Wax Trax! Sampler #1(Cass, Smplr) Wax Trax! Records none US 1989 Sell This Version
none Underworld - Dirty Epic / Cowgirl / Dark & Long / Spoonman Underworld Dirty Epic / Cowgirl / Dark & Long / Spoonman(VHS) Wax Trax! Records none US 1994 Sell This Version
none KMFDM - A Drug Against War KMFDM A Drug Against War(Umatic, Single, NTSC) Wax Trax! Records none US 1993 Sell This Version
none Various - it's not just for breakfast anymore... Various it's not just for breakfast anymore...(Cass, Advance, Comp, Promo) Wax Trax! Records none US 1991 Sell This Version
none Various - Wax Trax! Records Inc. (Video Sampler No. 2) Various Wax Trax! Records Inc. (Video Sampler No. 2)(VHS, Promo, Smplr, NTSC) Wax Trax! Records, Play It Again Sam Records USA none US 1989 Sell This Version
NTLC-30009 Front 242 - Official Version Front 242 Official Version(Cass, Album, Dol) Nettwerk, Capitol Records NTLC-30009 Canada 1987 Sell This Version
PROMO 7 Sister Machine Gun - Why Not Sister Machine Gun Why Not(12", Single, Promo) Wax Trax! Records, Wax Trax! Records PROMO 7 US 1992 Sell This Version
PROMOCD6 KMFDM - Sex On The Flag KMFDM Sex On The Flag(CD, Promo) Wax Trax! Records, Wax Trax! Records PROMOCD6 US 1992 Sell This Version
PSCW-5068 Psykosonik - Welcome To My Mind Psykosonik Welcome To My Mind(CD, Maxi) Polystar, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records PSCW-5068 Japan 1994 Sell This Version
RR 8987 2 KMFDM - Angst KMFDM Angst (Album) RR 8987 2 Europe 1993 Sell This Version
TDVN12 Excessive Force - Conquer Your World Excessive Force Conquer Your World(Cass, Album, Cle) Devotion (2) TDVN12 UK 1992 Sell This Version
TRAN 07CD KMFDM - Money / Bargeld KMFDM Money / Bargeld(CD, Single) Transglobal TRAN 07CD UK 1992 Sell This Version
TV7248-2 Juno Reactor - Bible Of Dreams Juno Reactor Bible Of Dreams(CD, Album, Dig) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records TV7248-2 US 1997 Sell This Version
TVT 0101-4p Various - Artificial Intelligence Various Artificial Intelligence(Cass, Promo, Smplr) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Warp Records TVT 0101-4p US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7013 Coil - Aqua Regis · Panic · Tainted Love Coil Aqua Regis · Panic · Tainted Love(CD, Single, RE) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records TVT 7013 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7017 Revolting Cocks - Big Sexy Land Revolting Cocks Big Sexy Land (Album) TVT 7017 US 1994 Sell This Version
tvt7017-4 Revolting Cocks - Big Sexy Land Revolting Cocks Big Sexy Land(Cass, Album, RE) TVT Records tvt7017-4 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7035 Ministry - Twelve Inch Singles (1981-1984) Ministry Twelve Inch Singles (1981-1984)(CD, Comp, RE) TVT Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7035 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7035-2 Ministry - Twelve Inch Singles (1981-1984) Ministry Twelve Inch Singles (1981-1984)(CD, Comp, RE) TVT Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7035-2 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7037 Revolting Cocks - Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch Revolting Cocks Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch (Album) TVT 7037 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7037-2 Revolting Cocks - Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch Revolting Cocks Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch(CD, Album, RE) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records TVT 7037-2 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7037-4 Revolting Cocks - Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch Revolting Cocks Live! You Goddamned Son Of A Bitch(Cass, Album, RE) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records TVT 7037-4 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7042-2 Revolting Cocks - Stainless Steel Providers Revolting Cocks Stainless Steel Providers(CD, Single, RE) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7042-2 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7047 Pailhead - Trait Pailhead Trait(CD, RE) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7047 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7047-2 Pailhead - Trait Pailhead Trait(CD, RE) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7047-2 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7047-4 Pailhead - Trait Pailhead Trait(Cass, RE, SR) Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records TVT 7047-4 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7050 A Split - Second - A Split - Second A Split - Second A Split - Second (Comp) TVT 7050 US 1993 Sell This Version
TVT 7050-4 A Split•Second* - A Split•Second A Split•Second* A Split•Second(Cass, Comp, RE) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7050-4 US Unknown Sell This Version
TVT 7052 KMFDM - Don't Blow Your Top KMFDM Don't Blow Your Top (Album) TVT 7052 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7052-2 KMFDM - Don't Blow Your Top KMFDM Don't Blow Your Top (Album) TVT 7052-2 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7052-4 KMFDM - Don't Blow Your Top KMFDM Don't Blow Your Top(Cass, Album, RE) TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records, TVT Records, Wax Trax! Records TVT 7052-4 US 1994 Sell This Version
TVT 7056 My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - I See Good Spirits And I See Bad Spirits My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult I See Good Spirits And I See Bad Spirits (Album) TVT 7056 US 1994 Sell This Version

Reviews

Add Review

tibbar

tibbar

February 19, 2023
Wax Trax! Records is the single greatest label to exist in my lifetime. They changed my life. My love for WT! will never die. Jim & Danny's creation will stand the test of time. Julia, i wish you nothing but the best and i'm so happy you brought the label back to us. To all the people who ever worked for them, to all the fans who share the music w friends, to all the clubs who play cuts on the floor... THANK YOU! people need to know that this isn't a dead genre or a dead scene. This music still crushes. There's never been anything else like it, and never will be.
gsheputis

gsheputis

December 8, 2012
edited about 1 year ago
Wax Trax!--a label, a time, and a culture that can never be equaled. The leading light of experimental-electro-industrial music. Period.
The world owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Nash & Dannie Flesher for opening the minds and moving the bodies of millions around this planet.
They will never be forgotten, & of course the music that will go on to infinity!
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