Criminal IQ Records

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Criminal IQ Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, founded by Jon Babbin (co-founder of Ruthless Records) and Darius Hurley to facilitate releases from Chicago's no-wave/punk scene that began in around 2003. Notable releases include garage pop-punk band M.O.T.O.'s LP Kill Moto, the Functional Blackouts' self-titled LP, and dark wave psyche punk band Vee Dee's Furthur LP.^[1]

Early releases were met with critical acclaim from underground music zines such as Maximumrocknroll and Horizontal Action, and more mainstream publications such as Arthur, Thrasher, Kerrang!, and Concussion Magazine. The records received airplay and occasionally topped charts on college radio stations around the country, as well as getting airplay on the BBC via the late John Peel Show. Criminal IQ later signed The Krunchies and all-female band The Manhandlers. The Manhandlers' compilation album Maybe Chicago was co-released with Proto-Mersh Records, and featured original sound recordings by the Ponys, the Baseball Fury, the Tyrades, Twat Vibe, White Outs, Busy Kids, and the Hot Machines.

In 2006, Criminal IQ relinquished its Chicago-only policy and released singles by Texas hardcore band Army of Jesus, Milwaukee's Bear Proof Suit, Green Bay, and Portuguese punk band The Youths.