Update: Burger Records Abandons Rebrand, Closes Up Shop

Burger Records has apparently shuttered entirely after a number of artists and employees were accused of inappropriate behavior with minors. All of the label’s official websites and social media pages appear to have been shut down. 

Burger Records co-founder Sean Bohrman told Pitchfork July 22 the plan to rebrand as BRGR RECS was being abandoned and business would completely shut down instead. 

This news came after Jessa Zapor-Gray, who was previously announced as interim president, stated she would not be accepting the position.  

“When I was asked to take over in this capacity, I expected some blowback for my decision to accept but I believed that the opportunity to have a role in effecting real and lasting positive change within the Burger and indie music scenes was worth the risk,” Zapor Grey told Pitchfork in a statement. “Upon further review, I have informed Burger Records that I no longer believe I will be able to achieve my intended goals in assuming the leadership role at Burger in the current climate. Therefore, I have decided to step away from the label entirely to focus on my other projects.”

Burger Records is changing its name, shuffling executives, and funding resources for victims of trauma following accusations that label artists and employees engaged in grooming underage girls for sexual relationships, took advantage of power imbalances in relationships and solicited pornography from minors.

Burger Records initially acknowledged stories of artists behaving inappropriately July 17, initially naming the band Part Time and Phil from the band Love Cop. Consequence of Sound has also reported accusations against The Growlers, The Frights, The Buttertones, SWMRS, and Cosmonauts. 

An Instagram page dedicated to making claims against Burger Records more visibly shared statements that the physical store in Fullerton, Calif., had a culture that was “designed and complicit,” and that the store allowed underage girls to drink alcohol alongside men, which “created a cesspool of trauma” and placed “predatory men on pedestals.” 

On July 17 Burger Records announced its long-standing policy was that artists found to be engaging in this kind of behavior would be removed from all Burger platforms, would have physical media destroyed, all business ties would be cut and, if necessary, authorities would be notified, and that these steps were being pursued in a number of cases. 

Yesterday Burger Records released a much lengthier statement announcing larger actions, including co-founder Sean Bohrman moving into a “transitional role” and president/co-founder Lee Rickard stepping down and divesting all interest in the label, with Jessa Zapor-Gray assuming the role of interim president. The label name is also changing to BRGR RECS and an all-woman imprint called BRGRRRL is being established. The Burger Records physical store will no longer have any affiliation with the label and will no longer host performances. 

“We understand that we will never be able to comprehend the trauma that women have experienced while trying to find a place in the music scene,” the statement reads. “We are profoundly saddened and sickened by the pain suffered at the hands of a toxic male music culture that does not value women as equals.

“We extend our deepest apologies to anyone who has suffered irreparable harm from any experience that occurred in the Burger and indie/DIY music scene, the latter of which we take part. We are also deeply sorry for the role Burger has played in perpetuating a culture of toxic masculinity. 

“We are sorry that we did not actively monitor this behavior well enough to make the Burger music scene safer for you. You should never feel you have to sacrifice your personal space to be able to enjoy music, for your career or in pursuit of your art; you shouldn’t feel you have to choose between music and your comfort.”

Burger Records is also funding a number of resources, including a counseling fund for those who suffered trauma in the Burger scene, a dedicated safe space for underage show attendees, discontinuation of artists who have violated the zero-tolerance policy, and working with experts in trauma, sexual assault awareness and consent education. 

The label has been associated with the annual Burger Boogaloo, which recently announced it was moving to 2021, but that event’s producer Total Trash Productions has cut all ties with Burger Records. 

Total Trash wrote in a statement: “In light of the recent allegations against Burger Records and several of the bands on their label, Total Trash Productions has made the decision to end our long-standing partnership with Burger Records. We want to express our heartfelt support for the brave women who have come forward to share their stories. We also want to sincerely apologize to anyone who has ever been victimized or harassed at any of our events. As the organizers of Burger Boogaloo, we accept responsibility for what happens at the event, and while we have always worked to take swift actions in removing individuals from the event or our line-up who have acted violent or inappropriate, we know that we can always do better. We owe that to our fans and our community.”