In a major shift for the punk rock world, legendary independent label Fat Wreck Chords has sold its entire back catalog to Hopeless Records. The news was confirmed in an interview with Fat Wreck co-founders Fat Mike and Erin Burkett, who emphasized that the deal allows them to pay off all remaining artist debts—a rare and widely applauded move in the music industry.
The back catalog includes some of the most influential records in punk history, with releases from NOFX, Lagwagon, Good Riddance, Strung Out, Propagandhi, and many more. Though Hopeless Records now owns distribution rights, Fat Wreck Chords will retain its name and trademark, meaning the label can still be used for future special projects, limited runs, and compilations.
Fat Mike stated that one of the motivations behind the deal was to ensure that every band who ever released an album through Fat got paid what they were owed, settling long-standing accounts and giving artists what many consider to be a rare form of closure in the punk scene. The sale also allows the founders to shift their focus to other projects—such as Fat Mike’s work on The Punk Rock Museum and NOFX’s final tours—while preserving the spirit of the label in smaller ways.
While some fans may see this as the end of an era, the move is being recognized for its transparency and integrity. Hopeless Records, which has earned its own place in punk and alternative circles, has committed to honoring the legacy of Fat’s catalog as it takes over handling reissues and distribution.
Fat Wreck may no longer be at the center of the scene, but its influence endures—and this transition might just be the most punk thing they’ve done yet.
