Touch And Go Records

Touch And Go Records is an American independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois. After its genesis as a handmade fanzine in Michigan in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s underground and alternative rock scenes. Touch and Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous noise rock by the likes of Big Black, the Butthole Surfers, and The Jesus Lizard. Touch and Go helped to spearhead the nationwide network of underground bands that formed the pre-Nirvana indie rock scene, and helped preside over the shift from the hardcore punk that then dominated the American underground scene to the more diverse styles of alternative rock emerging at the time.

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Links To Peel[]

Peel played Touch & Go releases regularly from the 1980s, especially reflecting the influential Chicago label's continuing ties to local musician/producer Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac), leading to the DJ's discovery of late-era favourite Nina Nastasia. In the new century, albums from both show-mainstays featured in his monthly Peel's Record Box selections for the BBC website.

The label's roster also boasted other notable session artists, including Man Or Astro-Man?, Butthole Surfers and Jesus Lizard. In addition, the DJ gave airtime to T&G records by Arcwelder, Don Caballero, Flour, Slint and Urge Overkill, among many others. In the UK market, T&G material was often licensed for release by Blast First.

Over at the Quarterstick "sister label", founded in 1990, artists played by JP include Calexico, Rachel's, Rodan, Mekons, Henry Rollins, and Bad Livers.

Long after Peel's death, one of the Record Collection: Auction (July 2025): Theme Packs: Albums lots drawn from Peel's archive contained the T&G compilation 'Gods Favorite Dog' (1986).[1]

Sessions[]

(Touch & Go artists who recorded Peel sessions, including when on other labels, other than those who appeared only on a split single^[1] or compilation^[2] on T&G. Please add more information if known.)