| Reachout International Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Neil Cooper |
| Genre | Punk rock,reggae |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | New York City |
ROIR (pronounced "roar"), orReachout International Records, is a New York City-basedindependent record label founded in 1979 byNeil Cooper.[1]
ROIR was founded the same year that theSony Walkman launched, and initially, the label exclusively distributed its releases incassette format. Much of the label's catalog is now available inCD andLP formats.
ROIR released its first cassette, byJames Chance and the Contortions, in 1981.[2] In 1982, ROIR released thecompilation albumNew York Thrash, documenting thehardcore punk scene in theNew York metropolitan area.
Most of ROIR's early catalog consists ofpunk rock andno wave releases by artists such asSuicide,Glenn Branca, andLydia Lunch. The label later branched out into other genres includinghardcore punk,reggae,ska,psychedelia anddub.
ROIR released early recordings byBad Brains (Bad Brains),[3]Beastie Boys,Einstürzende Neubauten (2X4),Flipper (Blow'n Chunks),MC5,GG Allin,New York Dolls,Suns of Arqa,Prince Far I,Television,The Legendary Pink Dots,Lee 'Scratch' Perry,The Stimulators, andThe Skatalites (Stretching Out).
