Fringe Product, Toronto Record Label owned/operated by Record Peddler’s Ben Hoffman

Hoffman operated Record Peddler Toronto from 1977 to 2000

Fringe Product (aka Fringe Records) Owner Ben Hoffman

Fringe Product, also known as Fringe Records, was a Canadian independent record label based in Toronto, active from the late 1970s until 2000. The label was founded and owned by Ben Hoffman and became a significant player in the Canadian music scene, particularly for its focus on alternative and underground genres. It specialized in punk, rock, metal, hardcore, death metal, industrial, and electronic music, fostering a diverse roster of artists and distributing influential international acts in Canada.

Ben Hoffman

Ben Hoffman was the driving force behind Fringe Product, serving as its founder and owner. In addition to running the label, he operated **Record Peddler**, a Toronto-based record store, and **Record Peddler Distribution**, which specialized in importing UK and US music releases. These ventures established Hoffman as a key figure in Toronto’s indie music ecosystem, catering to music enthusiasts and supporting niche genres like punk and metal. His eclectic taste and commitment to underground music shaped Fringe Product’s identity, making it one of Canada’s most notable labels for punk rock and heavy metal, as described by some sources as potentially “THE most” important in these genres.

Hoffman’s approach to selecting artists for Fringe Product was guided by availability, affordability, sales potential, and his personal taste, which leaned toward the eclectic and unconventional. This resulted in a diverse discography that included both Canadian and international acts.

Key Artists and Releases :

Fringe Product released music from a variety of Canadian bands, including:

• Dayglo Abortions

• Teenage Head

• Sacrifice

• Slaughter

• Razor

• The Diodes

• A Neon Rome

• Breeding Ground

• Guilt Parade

• Vital Sines

• UIC

• TBA

• Sudden Impact

• Youth Youth Youth

• The Demics

• Change of Heart

• Death Sentence

• Bunchofuckingoofs

• Random Killing

The label also licensed and distributed music via Toronto’s Record Peddler Distribution from prominent international punk and alternative bands in Canada, such as:

• Bad Brains

• Dead Kennedys

• Butthole Surfers

• Killdozer

• Rapeman

• Jello Biafra

• Die Kreuzen

• Corrosion of Conformity

• Gang Green

• Swans

• Black Flag

This combination of local talent and international licensing helped Fringe Product carve out a niche in the Canadian music market.

Record Peddler and Record Peddler Distribution :

Hoffman’s Record Peddler store, which operated from November 1977 to April 2001 at various Toronto locations (including 45 Carlton Street, 621 Yonge Street, and 619 Queen Street West), was a hub for indie music fans and musicians alike. The store was known for stocking cutting-edge artists, UK Imports, magazines and trends before they gained mainstream traction, fostering vibrant music scenes, including Toronto’s thrash metal community. Record Peddler Distribution complemented the label by importing and distributing music from the UK and US, further amplifying Fringe Product’s influence.

Obscenity Charges and Legal Battle :

In 1988, Fringe Product and Record Peddler faced significant legal challenges when they were charged with distributing obscene material due to two albums by the punk band **Dayglo Abortions**: *Feed Us A Fetus* and *Here Today, Guano Tomorrow*. This marked the first time Canada’s obscenity laws, established in 1959, were applied to a record label. The charges stemmed from 11 of the band’s 37 songs, which were deemed offensive by authorities, leading to a high-profile trial.

The legal battle had immediate consequences, with major retailers like Sam the Record Man refusing to carry Fringe Product’s releases due to fears of similar charges. Hoffman hired prominent lawyer Marlys Edwardh to defend the case, which incurred significant legal costs. To offset these, Fringe Product withheld royalties from Dayglo Abortions, straining relations with the band, who later expressed their frustration in the song “Ben Gets Off” on their 1991 album *Two Dogs Fucking*.

After a four-day trial, a jury deliberated for nine hours and, on November 8, 1990, cleared Fringe Product, Record Peddler, and Hoffman of all charges, ruling that the albums were not obscene. The verdict was celebrated as a victory for free expression in the Canadian music industry, with Hoffman stating it sent a message that “people should be able to express themselves the way they want.” The case highlighted the challenges of navigating censorship and underscored Hoffman’s commitment to supporting provocative and boundary-pushing artists.

Closure and Legacy :

Fringe Product ceased operations in 2000, and Record Peddler closed its physical store in April 2001 due to rising rents on Queen Street West and an oversaturated retail market. Hoffman transitioned the business online, experimenting with e-commerce through www.recped.com, but the label and store did not regain their former prominence. Hoffman reflected on spending “half my life” at Record Peddler, indicating the personal toll of running these ventures.

Fringe Product’s legacy endures as a cornerstone of Canada’s underground music scene. Its discography, which spanned punk, metal, and experimental genres, remains celebrated for its diversity and influence. The label’s role in distributing seminal punk and alternative acts like Dead Kennedys and Black Flag introduced Canadian audiences to groundbreaking music. Additionally, its support for Toronto’s thrash metal scene, with bands like Sacrifice and Razor, helped shape a distinct local sound for Toronto and Canada.

Personal Profile on Ben Hoffman

Limited personal information is available about Ben Hoffman beyond his professional endeavors. He was described as “affable” in a 2001 interview and was deeply invested in Toronto’s music culture for over two decades. His work with Fringe Product and Record Peddler and Record Peddler Distribution positioned him as a champion of independent music, willing to take risks on controversial artists and fight legal battles to defend artistic expression. There is no definitive information on his birth date, education, or current activities post-2001, as the available sources focus primarily on his contributions to the music industry during Record Peddler’s and Fringe Product’s active years.

Record Peddler locations : 115 Queen Street East, 45 Carlton Street, 621 Yonge Street, and 619 Queen Street West

A small selection of releases on Fringe

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