Formed in Berkeley in 1987, Lookout! Records, at one point, was the gold standard for independent punk rock record labels. However after 25 years the company, which launched groups like Green Day and Ted Leo, has officially closed its doors.

Legendary independent record label Lookout! Records has officially closed its doors to business. The record label, formed in Berkeley in 1987 by David Hayes and Larry Livermore, is most noted for releasing early records by Green Day far before the band’s mainstream success. Previous noteworthy Lookout! artists include Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Operation Ivy, Rancid, Screeching Weasel, The Queers, The Mr. T Experience, and many more.

The label stopped releasing new music around 2006, but continued to re-release records from their catalog. However in the past decade many bands took back their master rights from Lookout and re-issued records through other labels due to issues with contracts and unpaid royalties.

What were some of your favorite Lookout! releases over the decades?

• Tag: Lookout! Records, Lookout! Records RIP