Three One G, San Diego’s longest-running independent record label, celebrates its 31st anniversary with a packed schedule of releases that reflects its continued momentum and uncompromising ethos. Founded in 1994 by Justin Pearson, the label has always been a haven for the unconventional, the bold, and the genre-defying—a tradition it maintains to this day.
Today marks the reissue of The Locust’s iconic Peel Sessions LP, originally recorded in 2001 during the band’s peak. The record captures the controlled chaos that defined the band, blending grindcore, punk, and new wave into a vision that remains unparalleled.
Recalling the experience, Pearson says, “Recording a Peel session for John Peel was one of the many surreal things that The Locust got to do during its lifetime. In hindsight, I wish we had planned more accordingly when we got the opportunity, as we sandwiched the session in among a no-night-off tour in the UK/Europe. I remember getting into London early in the morning from an overnight drive, recording all day, and then having to leave that night to travel to mainland Europe.”
This reissue, newly remastered by Nathan Joyner, features two limited-edition vinyl variants: “Skin Graft” metallic silver and “Sexually Transmitted Disease” clear with white, both limited to 250 copies. Pre-orders for vinyl and cassette editions are available now.
Beyond its nostalgic resonance, the release underscores The Locust’s enduring impact on hardcore and experimental music. The lineup at the time—Bobby Bray, Joseph Karam, Justin Pearson, and Gabe Serbian—saw a pivotal change with Serbian moving from guitar/vocals to drums. “It redefined the band and its lineup,” Pearson reflects.
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Later this month, on January 31, Pearson will release his fourth memoir, GG Alien and the Mystery Meat, an unflinching look at his thirties, a period spent working nights at a gay bar to sustain his “music habit.”
Known for his candid writing, Pearson’s latest work is expected to delve into the realities of balancing creative passion with the demands of everyday life, offering a unique perspective from one of underground music’s most enduring figures.
Three One G’s anniversary celebrations don’t stop there. The label is reissuing Cattle Decapitation’s Human Jerky, the 1999 album that solidified the band’s place in the grindcore pantheon. Meanwhile, Pearson’s current band, Deaf Club, has released a cover of Swing Kids’ El Camino Car Crash, a nod to Pearson’s earlier work and a tribute to Eric Allen, a pivotal figure in San Diego’s punk and hardcore scene.
“As odd as it is to have a current band I am in cover a band from the past that I was a part of, it uncomfortably made sense in some way,” Pearson explains. “Now it’s being released as a stand-alone single in relation to the birthday and survival of Three One G, and maybe weird San Diego art in general.”
New signings and releases showcase the label’s ongoing commitment to experimental and boundary-pushing music.
Highlights include:
- Haunted Horses, a Seattle-based industrial punk trio whose visceral sound echoes bands like Chat Pile.
- Venus Twins, a drum and bass duo from NYC known for their high-energy performances and inventive compositions.
Since its inception, Three One G has operated as a labor of love, driven by Pearson’s DIY ethos and dedication to cultivating a community of kindred spirits.
For Pearson, Three One G has always been more than just a label. It’s a community, a DIY family built on shared ideals and relentless creativity. Over three decades, they’ve put out over 100 releases, from hardcore legends like Unbroken and Blood Brothers to the next generation of noise with bands like Stress Positions and Help. It’s all about bridging gaps, whether that’s between genres, scenes, or even decades. Where else are you gonna find Kool Keith and Metz on the same roster?
Three One G isn’t slowing down. If anything, 31 years in, they’re just getting weirder, louder, and more uncompromising. It’s a testament to the power of sticking to your guns and building something that’s equal parts chaotic and meaningful.