Hardcore and No Frills, Meet Total Supply.
We sit down with Total Supply co-founders Norman Regucera, Harold Burton and Ben Elvin, as they discusses how the label balances creative freedom with hands-on support and what it means to champion hardcore for the right reasons.
If you're expecting industry gloss packaged up in commercial polish, you're in the wrong place. Total Supply is about energy, intent, and connection. The label cultivates creativity and real relationships from pressing tapes, designing album covers, and curating release lineups. Almost every release is tied to people they know, scenes they’re part of, or bands they believe in. No gimmicks, just gut instinct and respect for the culture.
For those unfamiliar, what is Total Supply and how did it get started?
Total Supply is a completely DIY hardcore record label that has been around for almost a year at the time of this interview. The label started the same way many hardcore labels before us started, which is out of necessity. The three of us who run Total Supply all play in a band called Justify and we had a 7” recorded and ready to release but weren’t sure who would put it out so we took matters into our own hands. Our first two releases were Justify and Pluto’s Kiss, bands that we play in, but we quickly started putting out other releases from bands we’re friends with and it’s been busy ever since.
How would you describe your identity as a record label today?
Our identity is fairly simple - totally DIY, putting out bands we believe in, and trying to showcase what we love about hardcore. There are a lot of labels that came before us that inspire us like Mosher’s Delight or Lockin’ Out and we just try our best to follow their blueprint.
What kind of sound or energy defines the bands you sign or support through Total Supply?
While there’s no one specific sound or energy to the bands on Total Supply, I’ve heard people say we put out “regular” hardcore. I think people say that when they mean bands that aren’t metalcore or something like that. A lot of our bands are influenced by the bands from the labels we’re influenced by, so I guess you could draw some comparisons there. Energy is more important to us. We look for bands who feel the same about hardcore as we do, who do it for the right reasons, and who just want to see this thing we all love keep growing.
How do you balance the label side of things with the grassroots/DIY values that Total Supply clearly stands for?
If by “the label side of things” you mean the business aspect, I think there’s an organic understanding of everyone involved that nobody is doing this to get rich. Our goal in that regard is to keep the label paying for itself so we can keep putting out bands we believe in. We all love running a label and just want to keep it going as long as possible so it’s a natural balance.
What kind of creative control do you offer your artists? Do you take a hands-on approach with things like artwork, production, or pressing decisions?
Our artists have complete creative control if they want it. What’s important to us about doing all of this is trying to give bands/scenes a platform to show what they’re all about in their own words. With that being said, we do take a hands-on approach if a band wants us to. I’ve designed many tape covers, lyric inserts, fliers, shirts, you name it. Sometimes I’ll ask a band what colour tapes they want and they tell me to just pick something cool. I love doing that kind of work (layouts, design, etc) so I’m always happy to do it if a band wants us to.
Toronto's hardcore scene is gaining momentum again — what role do you want Total Supply to play in that next wave?
We’ll keep booking shows and putting out bands from the scene. Hopefully people see what we’re doing and realize that anybody can get involved in their scene. The labels and bands we looked up to when we were younger showed us the way and I hope we have that effect on those who are watching what we’re doing.
What kind of atmosphere are you aiming to create with this event? Is it more of a show, a hangout, a full-on celebration?
All of the above! Friction doesn’t get to play very much anymore with all of its members busy with other projects. It’s going to be one for the ages. The Friction LP was several years in the making and this event is a celebration of getting that record past the finish line. Every show is a hangout (sometimes that’s the best part) but this one will be more of a family reunion vibe. Also, Noah from Friction is leading The World’s First Ever Dap Up Challenge so make sure you’ve been practicing.
Can you talk about the collaboration with Homie Shit Mag? What’s the relationship like between your teams?
Homie Shit Mag are some of our closest friends in the world. They actually released the Pluto’s Kiss demo before Total Supply existed. The collaboration between us comes very naturally. Even if our label didn’t exist, we’d be working with those guys on all kinds of projects, so this is all just second nature to us. At the end of the day, we’re all part of the same scene and it just makes sense to work side by side putting on an event like this one.
What does it mean to have our support at Livestock, and how do you see this partnership bridging the worlds of hardcore and streetwear?
Having Livestock on board is massive for us. It means a ton to be shown that people from outside the hardcore world believe in what we’re doing and want to see it grow. We’re all kind of hopelessly sneaker and clothing obsessed, so this is another partnership that just feels like second nature. Whether everyone likes it or not, streetwear is a very important part of hardcore culture and history!
What should one expect when they walk through the doors of a Total Supply-affiliated event?
They should expect a real deal hardcore show. This isn’t some big concert with a barrier or a crazy ticket processing fee. They should expect to pay $20 to see six great bands, they should expect to mosh, they should expect to see their friends, and they should expect to have a great time. They should also expect to participate in the Dap Up Challenge.
What advice would you give to someone who's new to Toronto hardcore, and wants to get involved?
The best advice I can give to someone who is new is to support as many gigs as you can, big or small. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people. Start a band if you have the means. Create something, whether that’s a band or a zine or a newsletter or whatever you want to do. Anybody can come to a show and observe, but hardcore is about participating and you’ll always get out what you put into it.
What would you tell your younger self when starting Total Supply?
That would only be a year younger than I am right now. I’d probably say “make three times as many King’s Command tapes as you think you’re going to need” or something along those lines.
What’s coming next for Total Supply — any new collaborations, merch drops, or events we should watch for?
We try to always have something in the pipeline, so there’s a lot up next. A few of the bands we’ve put out already have new releases coming out and we’ve got a handful of new bands to the label on the horizon as well. One of our bigger projects right now is the Pluto’s Kiss LP which will hit your eardrums this fall, so keep an eye out for news about that one as well as a show to celebrate that release.
If you’re new to Toronto’s hardcore wave, this is your invite. Total Supply shows aren’t polished showcases or corporate spectacles, they’re provide a space with fists flying and music that hits hard. Their upcoming Friction LP release party, backed by Livestock Canada and co-hosted with Homie Shit Mag, proves how they bridge culture, music, and community with zero compromise. To read more on the label's upcoming events make sure to follow Total Supply.