Which musician founded Epitaph Records in 1981?

Brett Gurewitz founded Epitaph Records in 1981.

Gurewitz was the guitarist of the Los Angeles punk band Bad Religion when he established the label. Epitaph initially served as a way to release Bad Religion’s music, including the band’s early albums, before becoming an independent label with a much broader roster.

The label expanded substantially during the 1990s, especially through releases by California punk and skate-punk groups. Epitaph issued influential albums by bands including NOFX, Rancid, The Offspring, and Pennywise, although The Offspring’s major breakthrough album was released by a different label. Gurewitz remained closely associated with Bad Religion and Epitaph, making him both a performer and an important punk record executive. The label’s name comes from a Bad Religion song and album title.