About Sonic Swirl Records

Sonic Swirl Records is Back!!!

Sonic Swirl Records is an independent label that offers true rock n' roll, for people that still care about real music and who support the independent scene. Sonic Swirl Records is not about finding the next big sound. It's finding music that's from the heart and not trying to be what is in the mainstream.

Sonic Swirl started back in October of 1993 by founder & owner Mike "Swirl" Albertson. Mike tried being in the music business as a bass guitarist for a handful punk & metal bands in the 80's. He found that it was not his calling. Mike also worked for few record stores part time in Cleveland during late 80's early 90's including the famous Chris's Warp Records.

During the 90's Sonic Swirl was on top of the Cleveland rock scene. Not only did Mike have all the finest Cleveland punk and garage bands, he had band's from Chicago, San Francisco, Iowa City, Vancouver, Canada, & the UK. Sonic Swirl Records worked with bands like The PAGANS, ELECTRIC FRANKSTEIN, FIENDS, The MORTALS, SPITFIRES and The X-RAYS. By the mid 90's Sonic Swirl was well known around the world.

At the end of 1999 Mike decided to put the label on hold so he could take care of his personal life. His family needed him more than the label business did.

Five years later Mike wanted to get things started back up again. Mike was on the phone one summer night in 2004 with long time good friend Mike Hudson, vocalist for Pagans. When Albertson told Hudson he was itching to start things up again, Hudson laughed and said "You cannot stop it, rock n' roll is in your blood?" Albertson ask Hudson if it was cool that he could release Hudson's first solo album. Hudson gave Albertson his blessing, Sonic Swirl Records was reborn...

This time around Albertson decided not to work alone. He knew that having some help of a few good friends would take a lot off his shoulders. Mike teamed up with John "Scooter" Lincoln to help with the local scene and other tasks, Kurt Krejny for web design, and artist Roland Napoli for album covers and t-shirt designs.

Within the first year back in action, Sonic Swirl Records managed to release five full lengths, including The FIENDS from Vancouver B.C., MIKE HUDSON, and Sweden's The SPACE COWBOYS. Mike has started booking shows again for the Beachland Ballroom, working hard to once again build a solid rock scene in Cleveland.