Silver Sprocket is a San Francisco-based indie comics publisher and independent record label, founded in 2007 by Avi Ehrlich of Springman Records.[1] In addition to publishing records and comics, Silver Sprocket also supports a range of independent musicians and other community-based initiatives.[2]
 Silver Sprocket logo drawn by Liz Suburbia. | |
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Avi Ehrlich |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | San Francisco |
| Key people | Avi Ehrlich Mitch Clem |
| Publication types | Comics |
| Official website | silversprocket.net |
Overview
Silver Sprocket is an anti-professional art crew, comic and zine publisher, record label, and "all-around raging dumpster fire."[3] Ehrlich told The Comics Journal that the community-based model of the company is founded in anarchist politics: "It’s very shaped by anarchist world views and specifically the Bay Area punk rock scene which was a very hippieish community of mutual aid and helping each other out and not waiting for permission from some corporation to exist."[1] Comics critics have noted the publisher's high production values differentiates Silver Sprocket from other zine publishers. "Its political values may be DIY and anti-establishment, but its attention to production values and design sets it apart from traditional, home-made zines."[4] Silver Sprocket is known for publishing comics about punk culture, mental illness, queer lives, and people of color.[4]
Silver Sprocket opened their first retail location in December 2017 at 1685 Haight St, San Francisco.[5] In 2021, Ari Yarwood was hired as Silver Sprocket's first managing editor.[6]
Musicians
The following musicians have released albums under the Silver Sprocket label:
- Andrew Jackson Jihad
- Ashtray
- Big D and the Kids Table
- Blackbird Raum
- Blatz
- Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits
- Filth
- Larry and His Flask
- Pain
- The Phenomenauts
- The Pillowfights
- River City Rebels
- Shang-A-Lang
- Vic Ruggiero
Additionally, the label has released the following compilation albums:
- Rude Remix Revolution (2009)
Cartoonists
- Ben Passmore published Your Black Friend and Other Strangers (2018)[7]
- Benji Nate[8]
- Cartoonist Mitch Clem publishes his work through Silver Sprocket.
- Liz Suburbia[9]
- Eddy Atoms[10]
- Jenn Woodall[11]
- Caroline Cash[12]
- Sam Szabo[13]