Have you ever had problems locating a certain record from local Chicago punk or hardcore bands you are interested in? Have you had a difficult time finding that special Christmas gift for the music snob in your life?

Look no further. All you have to do is hop on your computer and locate Redline Distribution at www.redlinedistribution.com. With its one-year anniversary approaching, the distribution group has 200 plus records from Chicago bands and Chicago labels of numerous styles.

Last October, eight Chicago record labels decided to unite their efforts for the good of each other and the Chicago independent music scene, not for competitiveness. What has hatched as a result, is 31 released records, two free Redline Sampler CDs, and an on-line catalog of all 200 items from Chicago bands and labels.

Redline was started and maintained by: Sinister Label, Walk in Cold, Harmless Records, Quincy Shanks, Arms Reach Recordings, Failed Experiment Records, Government Music and He Who Corrupts, Inc.

Since that time, Jettison Music, run by the famous Jeff Pezzati of Naked Raygun fame, and Jet Black Records, have joined the team.

Each label helps the other out and helps at the main office by combining resources and man power. They help each other with filling each others’ mail orders and other such fun activities. The distribution was started mainly as an online service for people in the Chicago and outer-Chicago area.

The Website has many features on it as well. Each record label has its own section, that it maintains, which bands are currently on tour and where, and current releases by the labels.

The Web site includes an excellent MP3 library of 40 songs that is constantly growing. There is a section of 12 interviews with such people as Craig Sinister of Sinister Records and bands like the John Brown Battery, Rise Against (on Fat Wreck Chords), the late great Oblivion, He Who Corrupts (the band), and the Siderunners, who will be appearing at Friends and Co. later this month.

You can find someone at almost every Fireside show with a huge container of Redline merchandise for sale. At any given show, if a band is associated with Redline, there will be distributors there to sell Redline merchandise.

On the Web site there is a link for upcoming shows at places like the Fireside Bowl, the Vic, the Metro, the Chicago Theater, the Empty Bottle, the Prodigal Son Bar, and the Abbey Pub. Currently the shows go through mid December.

Links to the record labels and bands, including bands not associated with Redline can be found in the links section. It is definitely worth the time to check it out.

I would not have known about some bands if it weren’t for Redline and the site is a great place to pick up music that might otherwise be unavailable.