Asian Man Records Turns 30 With Four Nights at Bottom of the Hill
Asian Man Records is turning 30, and the way Mike Park is celebrating tells you everything about why the label has lasted this long. No corporate ballroom, no sponsors, no spectacle. Just four nights at his favorite room, San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill, from September 2 through 5, plus a bonus show down in Santa Cruz.
Park started AMR in his parents' garage back in 1996, and three decades later he still runs the whole thing out of that same garage in San Jose. As he put it, not much has changed in 30 years except the grey hair. The label stayed small on purpose, choosing community and ethics over growth the entire way.
Park has never been shy about how brutal the music industry can be, and AMR has always been his answer to it. In his words, he wanted the label to be about community, about friends making music and uplifting each other, holding each other accountable, and forgiving and learning and growing. He talks about holding his artists' newborns, going to amusement parks, and officiating weddings for so many of the bands on his roster. As he said, to put that kind of trust in me on their most important day? WOW.
That is why the anniversary had to happen at Bottom of the Hill. The venue is independent and female owned, and Park calls it family. There is a bittersweet edge to the whole thing too, because Bottom of the Hill is closing at the end of 2026 after a 35 year run, which makes this celebration part of the venue's final chapter. If there was ever a moment to show up for DIY and independent venues, this is it.
The demand said it all. According to Park, the shows sold out in minutes before a single band was even announced, which is wild for any independent label. Every headliner took a pay cut to be there, purely because they are his friends. Keep in mind Joyce Manor just sold out the Fillmore, and here they are playing a 300 capacity club for Mike.
The Lineups
Four nights, four stacked bills, 30 dollars per night, all ages. Here is who is playing:
Wednesday, September 2: Jeff Rosenstock, Bruce Lee Band, Teens in Trouble, Kitty Kat Fan Club
Thursday, September 3: AJJ, MU330, Small Crush, Pacing
Friday, September 4: Joyce Manor, Slow Gherkin, Grumpster, Friendship Games
Saturday, September 5: The Lawrence Arms, The Honor System, Get Married, Dog Party
The Bonus Show in Santa Cruz
If four nights in San Francisco somehow is not enough, there is a bonus show on Sunday, September 6 in Santa Cruz. Slow Gherkin headline with MU330, The Honor System, and Shinobu at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing. It is 20 dollars, all ages, doors at 6 and show at 6:30.
Thirty years of one of the most genuinely good hearted labels in music, celebrated exactly the way it started, small and full of friends. In Park's own words, thank you for 30 years of AMR. With all my love, peace, Mike Park.
Flyers courtesy of Asian Man Records.