From graphic artist and designer for bands from NOFX to Sum 41, to running the popular festival SBÄM Fest in Austria, to starting his own label, Stefan Beham, founder of SBÄM Records, has had an unusual trajectory in his career. But it’s ended up producing one of the hottest new punk labels of the past decade. In a short amount of time, SBÄM has earned a reputation for quality punk records, dating back to their debut release, Consumed’s A Decade of No EP, back in 2018. Now that the label has a few years under its belt, Beham asked if we would let him do a run down of his 10 favorite releases in the label’s history, and we were happy to say yes to that. So check out Beham’s all-time favorites from SBÄM Records:
In No Particular Order
The Von Tramps / Go
If you put No Doubt and Blink-182 in a blender, the result is this album. It’s full of catchy pop-punk songs. Every song on this album is great. In a perfect world, they should be supporting all these great pop-punk bands and be on constant loop on the radio. And they really rock live. So if you have the chance to see them live, don’t miss it. I promise you, if you like pop-punk with ska elements, you’ll have a new favorite band.
Personal favorites:
GO
Lo Mein
Live Fast
2AM
Versus The World / The Bastards Live Forever
When we started SBÄM, we had a show with the band once (they were the opening act for Useless ID) and to be honest, I had heard of them but couldn’t name a song. So I listened to their last album (back then), Drink. Sing. Live. Love., and I immediately fell in love with Donald’s voice. I think “A Fond Farewell” was on constant rotation in my playlist for years. A few years later, Donald sent me some demos for their new album and damn … every song, and I mean every song, hits you right in the heart. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time. This somehow underrated band should be huge.
Personal favorites:
Frank Sinatra
Roadsick/Roadsick
Looking For The Exit
Goin’ Out For Smokes
The Iron Roses / ST
The very first song, “Screaming For A Change,” totally blew me away and made me fall in love with the band. And the title of that track is also the theme of the album. Becky’s and Nathan’s voices complement each other perfectly. It makes me wanna raise my fist in the air. Lyrically, musically one of the most passionate people I’ve ever seen. This band is so important — especially in these very dark times. Never give up the fight.
Personal favorites:
Screaming For A Change
Old Guard
Rebel Soul Sound
Justify The Lies
Mad Caddies / Arrows Room 117
For me, it’s another evolution of the Caddies. It’s the perfect album to welcome spring and summertime. Yes, it’s no longer the punk rock sound of the first albums … but who cares? I don’t. Chuck’s voice is excellent. And they know how to write melodies. I like the vibe of this album, although the lyrics are about pain, love, loss, and new beginnings.
Personal favorites:
Palm Trees And Pines
Backroads
Green Eyes
Everywhere You Go
The Venomous Pinks / Vita Mors
I love the roughness that runs through the whole album. Every song is completely in your face. And then important topics like sexism are also dealt with. But there are also many personal themes that are dealt with on this record. Vita Mors has it all — from anthemic, melodic singalongs to brute, hard songs. These ladies know how to rock.
Personal favorites:
Cross My Heart And Hope To Die
I Really Don’t Care
No Rules
Pulley / The Golden Life
This album combines skatepunk anthems that simply invite you to sing along. Tempo changes, singalongs, choirs … the 90s send their regards. For me, every song on the album is a banger. Simply Pulley. That’s all that needs to be said.
Personal favorites:
The Golden Life
Frances
Lonely
Two Winds
Thomas Nicholas Band / We’re Gonna Be Okay
Timeless, simple, and suitable for the masses (in a very good way). The songs simply catch your ear and stay there. The perfect soundtrack for any high school movie. Each of the songs somehow takes me back to my teenage years. It makes you think about the good times and it also makes you cry. This album is completely different to the stuff Thomas Nicholas did before. The reason for this is definitely all the remarkable collaborations, such as with Bowling For Soup or Less Than Jake. A very strong piece.
Personal favorites:
Same Kids
Tomorrow’s Gonna Hurt
Back For More
Better Than Home
Yokohomo / Yokus Pokus
A record without sagging. From punk with synthesizers to indie and ska and back again. Julian’s (smoky and boozy appealing) voice always fits perfectly. The production underlines the raw authenticity of the band very well. Never polished, always rough. And the lyrics are awesome. One of my absolute favorite bands. This band should fill halls in Austria. Attention: for anyone who doesn’t speak German, it doesn’t matter. It still rocks.
Personal favorites:
Vodka
Immer gleich
Verbrauchsgegenstand
Calippo
The Rumperts / Escapism
If I remember correctly, the band asked me for some artwork back then. And since I always listen to the band I’m doing artwork for, I couldn’t help but listen to the songs. And that was a very good thing. Not only is the band made up of great people, they also make great music. I love the wild mixture of rock ‘n’ roll, rough punk rock, and a pinch of hardcore in their songs. And yet somehow everything remains melodic, paired with singalongs. Awesome debut from an awesome band.
Personal favorites:
Volcano Of Hell
Hangman
Fill The Cup
Fool
Snuff / Crepuscolo Dorato
How can a band have been around for almost 40 years and still sound like something new? They’ve never changed their style, but they’ve never gone out of style either. Crepuscolo Dorato is the first proper Snuff album to be released on our label. As I’m a huge fan of the band, it just had to be in the top 10. Duncan’s voice is so incredible and unmistakable. It’s a typical Snuff record and I love it. Nothing else.
Personal favorites:
Looks Alright From Here
Green Glass Chippings
One Of These Days
Fish ’N Chips
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Photo credit: Marc Bogner
