In the Red Records announces fest featuring Gories, Oblivians, Ty Segall, Wand

For the past quarter century, the garage rock label In the Red has served as a constant reminder of the infinite glory within a few guitar chords, a heavy beat and insane energy.

This summer, the Los Angeles-based imprint will honor 25 years and thousands of three-chord wonders with a three-day festival bound to make garage rock fans drool: Among those performing at the Echo and Echoplex over July 14-16 will be the Gories, Boss Hog, Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin, the Oblivians, Cheater Slicks, Wand, Meatbodies, Kid Congo Powers & the Pink Monkey Birds and a few dozen others.

Based in an awesome compound in Eagle Rock, the label is owned and operated by unsung mover Larry Hardy, and has issued essential recordings from a mess of rock ’n’ roll antiheroes and never-weres. The roster of (mostly) dudes who have issued singles or albums for In the Red includes the Black Lips, Segall, Jay Reatard, the Oblivians, King Khan & the BBQ Show, Thee Oh Sees, the Intelligence and hundreds of others.

As recklessly determined as the chorus to “Surfin’ Bird,” the sound of In the Red hasn’t changed much since its birth in 1991. Distorted three- or four-minute rock ‘n’ roll songs celebrate its primal energy, but the label’s tone has stealthily infiltrated the mainstream through artists including the White Stripes and the Black Keys, both of which drew early inspiration from Midwest bands that first earned ears via In the Red.

Detroit band the Gories busted out of Detroit long before Jack and Meg White hit the charts. Fronted by the great Mick Collins, the band will perform in Los Angeles for the first time in half a decade.

The garage punk trio Cheater Slicks haven’t gigged in the city in years, and though it never earned the ears of kindred spirits like Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the band’s “Don’t Like You” has a similarly unhinged approach.

Memphis trio the Oblivians are an insanely great live band, and ripped through the 1990s with a primal energy that made Nirvana and the grunge movement sounds as polished as Styx. The Oblivians’ co-founder, Greg Cartwright, went on to form the Reigning Sound.

It’s an astounding feat, making it through 25 years as an independent label, and In the Red has done so by discovering awesome power before anyone else. The label issued early records by Thee Oh Sees, including the now-classic psyche-punk gem “Help” in 2007. It offered early support to the Black Lips and the late Jay Reatard, as well.

During the anniversary festival, the Los Angeles-based singer, bandleader and producer Ty Segall will team with longtime compadre Mikal Cronin to perform their album “Reverse Shark Attack” in its entirety.

Tickets to the party go on sale on Friday. For details hit In the Red’s website.

Roster so far:

Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin (performing “Reverse Shark Attack”)
The Gories
The Oblivians
GØGGS
Boss Hog (Cristina Martinez, Jon Spencer, Jens Jurgensen, Hollis Queens, Mickey Finn)
Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds
Cheater Slicks
Meatbodies
Wand
Sleeping Beauties
LAMPS
Wounded Lion
CFM
The Double

For tips on playlists, Los Angeles music news and video clips, follow @liledit

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