Wax Trax Records

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Wax Trax Records Official home of Chicago's underground record store and independent label.

17/06/2025

Hey Front 242 fans - Here is a sneak peek into making the latest NO COMMENT reissue.

These beauties are being assembled right now and heading out very soon to all you pre-order commandos!

We still have a few bundles with the limited live 7”, as well as the "Belgian Ale" edition. All at waxtrax.com

A huge thanks to Smashed Plastic for this behind the scenes video!

With all your help, the WAX TRAX! BUILDING at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave was officially designated a CHICAGO LANDMARK with a un...
22/05/2025

With all your help, the WAX TRAX! BUILDING at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave was officially designated a CHICAGO LANDMARK with a unanimous "YES" vote by Chicago's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards on MAY 20th, 2025.

We could not have done this without all the amazing support and input from fans and people who cared to preserve this piece of music history.

In a special twist of fate, the designation was approved yesterday on co-founder DANNIE FLESHER'S birthday.

We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

WHO IN SO-CAL WANT A FLASHBACK.Tonight - Hear all things regarding MINISTRY'S - THE LAND OF R**E AND HONEY, as Jason Pet...
15/05/2025

WHO IN SO-CAL WANT A FLASHBACK.

Tonight - Hear all things regarding MINISTRY'S - THE LAND OF R**E AND HONEY, as Jason Pettigrew and a special panel of guests dig deep into the ground breaking album.

Tonight only at STORIES BOOKS & CAFE. 7:30P
1716 W Sunset Blvd, LA 90026

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow as WAX TRAX! kicks off the official pre-show party...
And then the main event on Saturday at CLUB DOOM during the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena CA!

See you soon!

Attention West Coasters - If you're going to Cruel World Fest this weekend (or even if you're not), join us for the offi...
12/05/2025

Attention West Coasters - If you're going to Cruel World Fest this weekend (or even if you're not), join us for the official CRUEL WORLD PRE-PARTY KICK-OFF this Friday May 16 at Zebulon Café Concert for a WAX TRAX! throw down. Tons of music from the label and some of our favorites from the original store.
Admission=FREE

Don't forget - On Saturday, May 17, stop by Club Doom as WAX TRAX! once again takes over the festival dance floor.
Club Doom runs all day - WAX TRAX! set starts at 4p.
Hope to see you there!

Happy birthday, Robert Smith...Remember that time before Wax Trax! Records was a "legit" label, and the Chicago store wo...
21/04/2025

Happy birthday, Robert Smith...
Remember that time before Wax Trax! Records was a "legit" label, and the Chicago store would make bootlegs to sell in the shop?
Well, we do...Here is one from the WT! vault. This recording has been bootlegged many times over the years, but most people don't realize that this live recording was originally an early Wax Trax release. 

This release was recorded May 31st, 1980, in Germany

birthdaymrsmith

**IMPORTANT LANDMARK UPDATE**The Chicago City Council has moved the Wax Trax! Landmarking vote to their May meeting agen...
14/04/2025

**IMPORTANT LANDMARK UPDATE**
The Chicago City Council has moved the Wax Trax! Landmarking vote to their May meeting agenda on 5/20/25.

For anyone who was planning on supporting this in person - We WILL NOT be attending the April council meeting tomorrow.

We will keep everyone posted regarding landmark status for the 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. building after the final vote at the MAY 20th meeting. Thanks again for all the amazing support!

THIS IS A WARNING!!Pre-orders are now open at waxtrax.com for the 40th anniversary reissue of the classic Front 242 rele...
14/04/2025

THIS IS A WARNING!!

Pre-orders are now open at waxtrax.com for the 40th anniversary reissue of the classic Front 242 release - No Comment.

We have really taken our time with this one to do it right. Audio has been remastered from the original Wax Trax! archival tapes by Bob Weston from CMS. The sound is just incredible. If you care at all about audio, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what Bob pulled from the original tapes.

All album artwork is also sourced from the original Wax Trax! production boards.

For the 242 collectors out there, we are offering a limited Belgian Ale edition, as well as a waxtrax.com exclusive pressing, sleeved a special gatefold jacket as a nod to the original Wax Trax! packeging. The gatefold variant is on a limited smoke bomb grey vinyl (BOOM!)

For the ultra-bad-ass-commando-collector…Well, we’ve got something for you too.

The Propaganda Bundle has the following:

-Limited Variant: Gatefold / Smoke Bomb 12”.
-Limited Variant: Smoke Bomb 7" .
-Limited Anniversary 2 sided T-Shirt.
-Front 242 limited retail promotional poster.
-Set of 5 limited postcard prints of rare 242 images.
ONLY 300 AVAILABLE!

Records ship on official release date of 6/27/25.

You know the links up in bio - Go get ‘em!

Wax Trax! Update
01/04/2025

Wax Trax! Update

Rest in peace Mr. Johansen
04/03/2025

Rest in peace Mr. Johansen

Yesterday, the Chicago Commission of Landmarks voted on official recommendation to landmark the original WAX TRAX! store...
07/02/2025

Yesterday, the Chicago Commission of Landmarks voted on official recommendation to landmark the original WAX TRAX! storefront at 2449 N. Lincoln Ave.

By unanimous decision, the commission voted YES!
The hardest part is over. The official recommendation is in line to go before the City Council at their April meeting.
At that meeting, the Aldermen and Alderwomen will have the final say with an up/down vote based on the commission’s recommendation.
We are cautiously optimistic.

Why this landmark matters: The building is now queued to be protected and flagged by the city if current or future owners try to demolish or change the structure in any way.

We want to thank every person who has signed our petition...sent in personal testimonials...shared our cause, as well as the people who took the time to join us at the past three meetings.
This is a culmination of all your work, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you!!

The irony with landmarking this building is twofold for us -
1. WAX TRAX! founders, Jim Nash and Dannie Fleshers, were absolutely crazy about architecture.
It didn't matter if you were Bauhaus or Front 242, the first van ride in from the airport usually involved a detailed tour of Chicago’s architectural history.
We think they would have felt extremely honored to be on the same list as Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe.

2. Jim and Dannie would also probably be a little embarrassed about this recommendation.
They never thought what they were doing was “historic” or “revolutionary”.
The couple just lived their lives the only way they knew how - Fearless, authentic, without apology.

The fact that the WAX TRAX! roadmap for finding your people and trusting your intuition continues to resonate today is mind-blowing.

Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts!

07/02/2025

Wax Trax! was a mecca for fans of punk, industrial, and new wave — helping launch careers and shape the direction of underground music.

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