Timeline

Touch and Go fanzine launched — Tesco Vee (Dave Stimson) begins publishing the Touch and Go punk fanzine in East Lansing, Michigan, covering the Midwest hardcore scene.

Corey Rusk takes over, label begins — Necros bassist Corey Rusk takes over the Touch and Go fanzine and begins releasing records, starting with compilations and 7-inch singles from Midwest hardcore bands.

Early hardcore classics — Negative Approach's 'Process of Elimination' EP and 'Tied Down' LP, Necros, Die Kreuzen, Fix, and Naked Raygun releases establish Touch and Go as the premier Midwest hardcore label.

Butthole Surfers and Scratch Acid join — The label expands beyond Midwest hardcore with Butthole Surfers' 'Psychic... Powerless... Another Man's Sac' and Scratch Acid's debut EP, signaling a move toward noise rock.

Big Black arrives — Steve Albini's Big Black releases 'Racer-X' on Touch and Go, beginning the most iconic artist-label partnership in noise rock history.

Atomizer released — Big Black's 'Atomizer' becomes a landmark noise rock album. Killdozer and Butthole Surfers continue prolific output.

Songs About Fucking / Locust Abortion Technician — Big Black bows out with 'Songs About Fucking.' Butthole Surfers release 'Locust Abortion Technician.' The label's noise rock identity is fully formed.

Label relocates to Chicago — Touch and Go moves operations to Chicago, which becomes its permanent home. Rapeman, Flour, Didjits, and Killdozer releases continue the noise rock momentum.

Slint's Tweez / Bastro / Rapeman — Slint's debut 'Tweez,' Bastro's 'Diablo Guapo,' and Rapeman's catalog round out a prolific period. The label's roster grows increasingly diverse.

The Jesus Lizard and Pegboy debut — The Jesus Lizard releases 'Head' and Pegboy drops 'Three Chord Monte.' A new generation of Touch and Go bands emerges.

Spiderland and Goat — Slint's 'Spiderland' and The Jesus Lizard's 'Goat' are released — two of the most influential albums of the decade. Touch and Go's golden era is in full swing.

Shellac, Don Caballero, Girls Against Boys — Shellac (Albini's new band), Don Caballero, and Girls Against Boys all release key albums. The label's sound spans noise rock, math rock, and post-hardcore.

At Action Park / Rodan / Down — Shellac's debut 'At Action Park,' Rodan's only album 'Rusty,' and The Jesus Lizard's 'Down' cap an extraordinary run. Gastr del Sol pushes into avant-garde territory.

Silkworm and Gastr del Sol peak — Silkworm's 'Firewater' and Gastr del Sol's 'Upgrade & Afterlife' represent the label's literate, experimental side.

Calexico, Blonde Redhead, Shellac's Terraform — The roster diversifies further with Calexico's Southwestern sounds, Blonde Redhead's art-rock, and Shellac's second album.

Shellac's 1000 Hurts / Enon / Pinback — Shellac releases '1000 Hurts.' New signings like Enon and Pinback bring indie pop sensibilities to the catalog.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Fever to Tell — Yeah Yeah Yeahs release 'Fever to Tell' on Touch and Go, featuring 'Maps.' TV on the Radio's early EP also appears on the label. Touch and Go briefly becomes a gateway for future mainstream acts.

Shellac's Excellent Italian Greyhound — Shellac releases their fourth album after a long gap. The label continues operating but the pace of new releases slows.

Touch and Go ceases new releases — In February, Corey Rusk announces Touch and Go will stop releasing new music and lay off most staff, citing the collapsing music economy. The label continues to distribute its back catalog.

Steve Albini reflects on the label's legacy — With the label in maintenance mode, its legacy is widely recognized. Touch and Go's handshake-deal, 50/50 profit-sharing model is cited as an ethical blueprint for independent music.