Just For The Hell of It

Doing nothing to reverse the stereotype that everybody in Portland is in a band, has as at least one side-project and a label or some kind of boutique clothing line is Hendrik DeHerder, the man running Just for The Hell of It Records. "Yeah I also play in the band Little Claw and have toured/ recorded with the band Tyvek" he admits. "But I'm originally from Detroit...."

Hendrik started Just For The Hell of It just over a year ago. While releasing records had always been at the back of his mind, it took a show with the The Whines to get him to do something. "The Whines blew me away live" he says. "I questioned why they didn't have a release out, then I said fuck it, I'll do it. That's when JFHI began".

It's admirable stuff. While it might seem like everyone is doing it, releasing a record costs money and not selling them leaves labels with cardboard boxes cluttering their lives. Limited vinyl pressing might be 'in' but it's still kind of like melting down money. "The Whines live song "Insane OK" haunted me, I asked them to do a 7 inch" he says. After hearing the recordings he finally put out four tracks - the label's first record and first EP. "Then Talk Normal were the band that made me want to not stop putting out records. I saw them at SXSW where a lot of my friends were playing with them. I checked them out and was floored". Unlike a lot of small release labels - who ignore CD all together - the band released the Secret Cog EP on CDR and 12" record.

Hendrik is now working with Explode into Colors. They're a band that describe themselves as 'three mad aunties' and drum like no other instrument had ever been invented. The band are releasing a trilogy of 7"; one on Kill Rock Stars, One on Ann Arbor's M'Lady's and the third on Just For The Hell of It. How does it feel working alongside other labels? Is there any element of competition as to who gets the best tracks? "I applaud EIC for working with three labels at the same time as it is hard enough dealing with one label. It was a cool idea, and came out well" Rather than in-fighting, he's got nothing but praise for the other labels involved. Instead of scrabbling for signatures they just agreed to get with it. Away from the release, one of the labels has been a great help to JFHI. "I must thank Brett from M'lady's Records. He helped me out so much with great advice/ hot tips about do's and don'ts for putting out records. If you ask anyone who has ever worked with Brett you get the same response " Brett is THE man!"

So how did the Explode into Colors collaboration start? Just for The Hell of it have released 2 records and Kill Rock Stars [the label that are releasing the band's LP]
have released records by 48 different artists. "One of the first people I met in Portland was Claudia from EIC, at the time she played drums in a band called Hornet Leg" he says. "I saw them live and thought she was my favorite drummer in Portland; being the Perfect balance of Raw and Talent. She then told me she was quitting Hornet Leg to start Explode into Colors. I was bummed until I saw EIC play , and then completely understood. EIC had such energy and presence," Not one to miss an opportunity - even if the band is unpracticed and un-established - Hendrik approached Claudia about doing a record. He swung it by being the first one to ask, just like with The Whines. "I was the first person to ask them to do a record so they were flattered. At this time they were just starting to creep out of the Portland basement/house party scene, playing more "legit" venues. They agreed to do a 7 Inch but had no proper recordings, so they started working on them. As time slowly went by, they started getting understandably more and more popular, and more and more record offers came in to them. Because I was the first to ask and they knew me and trusted me I got to do one.


Photo from Megan Holmes @ www.meganholmes.com

Really you don't need to look further than the name to understand what Hendrick is doing. He's releasing records because he can, not because he has some overarching desire to become a tastemaking super-indie or his records to become something rare and arsty. He just likes the songs and would do it whether he was in a band, or even if he wasn't in Portland. "I don't really care how this label is viewed. As long as I believe in the records I put out 100%, I'll be proud. I sell more records overseas then in Portland anyways, so whatever."

What do you have coming up?
JFHI-004 will be the "Downside/Upside" 7 Inch from Detroit's Gardens. It will feature the songs "Maze Time" and "Alive in 5D" on separate sides in no particular order. It will hit in the beginning of 2010.

What other labels inspire you and why?
living in Detroit for most of my life, I was exposed to so much great music. The labels that really made me believe I could put out quality records all by myself, were from people I knew and respected. Ersatz Audio ran by electro doom gaillo's Adult., really struck a cord. Also Ypsilanti Records (who put out the first Little Claw LP) ran by Fred Thomas (now of City Center) really made me believe if you tried hard enough you could do anything including putting out quality records by yourself.

Got Your Eye on Anyone?
We will see...(mouth shut)

Explode into Colors 7" 'Paper' is out now with a special embossed all-white sleeve and full color art insert by Adee Roberson. It can be bought direct from the label

Side A: Paper
Side B: Heat

to order:
paypal to: justforthehellofitrecords@gmail.com

$6 ppd. USA, $7 Mexico and Canada , $9 rest of world

or send cash or money orders to:
just for the hell of it records
P.O. Box 28187 Portland OR 97228