Photograph by Cole Novak

The Sess: revived band welcomes vinyl revival

David McHank of Styrofoam Records is an artist whose 30-year career includes illustrating posters and album covers, as well as venturing into animated shorts around a decade ago. Mike Molina is a videographer for Robles Productions. The two make up half of what partner (and local brewer) Jeff Wiederkehr calls “a four headed monster of art, music and vinyl nerds” with photographer Ben Heiderich rounding out the company.

“When Mike joined us, we said to him, ‘This is a fun way to lose money every month,’” says McHank of the group’s formation — the organic result of friends with a common passion. “We started it, in theory, late in 2021, but we didn’t get a physical release out until March 2023. By then, Jeff from Burning Beard Brewing Company joined in, and Mike Molina joined our family about a month after that.” According to Wiederkehr, “I was trying to start a Burning Beard record label, but I was having difficulty pulling it all together by myself. And while waiting for a few pressing houses to get back to me, McHank called and asked if I wanted to start a record label with him.”

Named after a Fugazi song, Styrofoam Records’ records are hand-made from an eight-foot sheet of plastic that has been cut and shaped to size, and then recorded in real time at Tennessee-based Funky Frankenstein. “Real time” means exactly what it sounds like: if a record contains 40 minutes of music, the recording will take 40 minutes to manufacture. Audiophiles report an increase in sound quality results. Products are limited to 100 copies and released in batches of 50. Bands sell the records at their shows and, when they run out, another batch can be created and the process repeated.

Wiederkehr’s ties to the local music scene meant he brought a performer’s insight to the label, having been a member of Brick Bath, Mud Hound, and Mildred Pierce (whose opening acts included Stone Temple Pilots). When signing bands to the label, “We look for the diamonds in the rough,” he says. “Gems that might be undiscovered or might need a little help creating some really cool collectible merch.” McHank is the one who collaborates with the performers to hand create stickers, patches, and a custom ‘zine that accompanies the vinyl. His enthrallment with the scene from a fan’s standpoint complements his partners’ expertise. All that resulted in the label’s first signing: The Sess.

“Our dear friend McHank has been a dedicated supporter of our band right from its humble beginnings,” says Sess guitarist/vocalist Sam Rivera. “Ever since we reunited and started playing music together again, The Sess has ignited a renewed passion within us to keep performing and creating. Our plans include playing more live shows and, for the first time, releasing our debut album on vinyl.” The record sold out at the release party, prompting Styrofoam to issue cassette tapes for purchase at the Burning Beard Brewery location. The label also provided tapes for South Park’s Vinyl Junkies and Reanimated Records in La Mesa.

“We got the cassettes so people could buy an analog, tangible copy until we get more records in,” says McHank. “It’s also an economical option for the budget-conscious punk rockers of today.” On his own social media, McHank offers advice on where to purchase a cassette player — a true crusader for the cause of physical media. Streaming platforms have made more music accessible for less money, but that has come at the expense of artists, and arguably, lessened people’s connection to the material they’re hearing. A large segment of listeners can’t say what album a song is from, and have never spent time staring at a record sleeve, reading the lyrics, and immersing themselves in the experience.

Regardless, Rivera at The Sess feels there are still customers for all media. “We’re at a point where both digital and physical formats can coexist harmoniously,” he says. Still, “physical media, especially vinyl records, has experienced a remarkable resurgence. As a passionate record enthusiast, witnessing this revival has been truly amazing.”

The label’s operations stand in opposition to those of the all-encompassing conglomerates. But rather than being a nostalgic throwback , it’s a continuation of the DIY ethics of Dischord, Epitaph, and SST. “Business-wise, this isn’t feasible at all,” says Wiederkehr. “This is more of an art project than a business.”

McHank echoes that sentiment. “It’s hard to think of it as a business. Really, we just want to make things. So we do.”