New Books in Popular Culture Mike Huguenor, "Elvis Is Dead, I'm Still Alive: The Story of Asian Man Records" (Clash, 2026)
Mar 21, 2026
Mike Huguenot, musician and author of Elvis is Dead, I'm Still Alive, chronicles 30 years of Asian Man Records. He narrates the label's origins, its role in ska and DIY punk, and how it fostered diverse artists from a garage operation. He also recounts researching the book, memorable interviews, and the surprise offer that changed the label's trajectory.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
How Asian Man Grew From Bay Area DIY To 30 Years
- Mike Park built Asian Man Records from the Bay Area punk scene into a 30-year DIY institution that released over 400 albums.
- Early breakthroughs included reprinting Less Than Jake and releasing first Alkaline Trio records, anchoring the label's influence across ska and punk.
Denny's Meeting That Explained Asian Man's Hands Off Style
- Mike Huguenot recounts meeting Mike Park at a Denny's where Park said, "I don't do anything," meaning minimal label involvement.
- Park still paid for CDs and posters but left booking and promotion to bands, keeping the label financially feasible and artist-driven.
Accept Minimal Label Support To Keep Creative Control
- Do accept a label that offers limited services if it preserves creative control and financial viability.
- Shinobu experienced modest direct support but gained niche exposure and toured independently, showing tradeoffs of DIY label deals.
