If Flightless Records is the darling of the Australian psychedelic vinyl scene, then Poison City Records is the backbone of the punk and hardcore community. Operating out of Melbourne since 2003, Poison City has been quietly and relentlessly releasing some of the best Australian punk, hardcore, and adjacent music for over twenty years. And I don’t think they get enough credit for it.

The Foundation

Poison City was founded by Andy Hayden and has maintained a remarkably consistent vision throughout its existence. The label focuses on Australian punk, hardcore, and the broader underground guitar music scene, with an emphasis on community and integrity over commercial ambition.

The roster reads like a who’s who of Australian punk: Frenzal Rhomb, The Smith Street Band, Camp Cope, Cable Ties, Press Club, Clowns, and dozens more. Each of these acts found a home at Poison City at crucial points in their careers, and the label’s support has been instrumental in building their audiences.

Why Poison City Matters

There are plenty of small punk labels around the world. What makes Poison City special is the combination of consistency, quality, and genuine community building.

Consistency. Twenty-plus years of operation without a significant misstep. The release schedule is steady, the quality is reliable, and the label’s identity is clear. When you see the Poison City skull logo on a record, you know what you’re getting.

Community. Poison City isn’t just a label — it’s a hub for a scene. The label’s connections to venues, promoters, zine makers, and other artists create an ecosystem that supports Australian punk more broadly than any single release could.

Physical product commitment. Poison City has been pressing vinyl since before the vinyl revival made it fashionable. Their records are well-pressed, fairly priced, and presented with care. The vinyl comes in proper inner sleeves, the artwork is always considered, and the pressing quality is consistently good.

Essential Releases

If you’re new to Poison City, here’s where to start:

Camp Cope — Camp Cope (2016). Georgia Maq’s songwriting debut is devastating and beautiful. The album that launched a thousand important conversations about safety in the Australian music scene.

The Smith Street Band — Throw Me in the River (2014). Wil Wagner at his most anthemic. This album is a singalong from start to finish, and the live energy translates brilliantly to vinyl.

Cable Ties — Far Enough (2020). Fierce, smart, politically charged post-punk. Jenny McKechnie’s vocals are extraordinary, and the band is tight as a drum.

Press Club — Late Teens (2018). Raw, urgent rock that captures the anxiety and energy of your mid-twenties. Natalie Foster’s voice is a force of nature.

Clowns — Lucid Again (2019). Melodic punk with substance. Clowns have been one of the most consistent live bands in Melbourne for years, and this album captures that energy.

The Business Model

Poison City operates on margins that would make a business consultant weep. Punk records don’t sell in massive quantities. Vinyl pressing is expensive. The artists on the roster aren’t doing this for the money, and neither is the label.

What Poison City has figured out is that a sustainable small label needs to be lean, focused, and deeply connected to its audience. They don’t chase trends. They don’t sign acts outside their lane. They do one thing exceptionally well and build loyalty through reliability and authenticity.

The label also runs a solid direct-to-consumer operation through their website and has strong relationships with independent retailers. I stock as much Poison City as I can because it sells steadily and generates genuine enthusiasm from customers.

For the Future

The Australian punk scene is evolving, as it always does. New acts are emerging with different influences and perspectives, and Poison City has shown an ability to grow with the scene without losing its identity.

Recent signings suggest the label is broadening slightly while staying true to its core. Post-punk, noise rock, and more experimental guitar music are appearing alongside the traditional punk and hardcore releases. That evolution feels natural and welcome.

Supporting the Label

If you want to support Poison City, the simplest thing is to buy their records. From the label’s website, from your local shop, from Bandcamp. Show up to the shows. Talk about the artists on social media. The punk underground runs on word of mouth and community investment, and every purchase and every conversation matters.

Twenty years of Poison City Records is something worth celebrating. Here’s to twenty more.