Wax Trax! Records

Wax Trax! Records was an influential American independent record label based in Chicago, established in 1978. Known for pioneering industrial, punk, and electronic music, it became a hub for cutting-edge artists like Ministry, Front 242, and Nine Inch Nails. The label played a crucial role in shaping alternative and underground music scenes, promoting experimental sounds outside of mainstream channels. Its distinctive aesthetic and commitment to innovative music made it a landmark in independent music history. Wax Trax! also operated as a retail store, fostering a dedicated community of fans and artists until its decline in the early 1990s.