Squids Eye Records celebrating birthday at Blind Bob’s

How to go

What: Squid’s Eye Records Third Anniversary Show

When: Saturday, March 27; music starts at 9 p.m.

Where: Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Cover: $5

More info: www.myspace.com/squidseyerecords

The workers at Squids Eye Records, an independent Dayton record label, probably won’t be blowing out any candles on a birthday cake to celebrate the label’s third year of life.

It’s not usually musicians’ style.

Instead, the label will be throwing a giant bash at Blind Bob’s on Saturday, March 27. In what is sure to be more in line with rockers’ credo, the gig will feature Astro Fang, Yakuza Heart Attack and Trunk Bound Regime, among others.

The show will also serve as a CD-release party for Trunk Bound Regime. A new Squids Eye compilation disc will also be newly available.

The label’s priorities are on four or five main bands, but it looks after as many as 20. The label tries to evade the bullying reputation most major labels are famous for.

“We’re always trying to stress it’s not a ‘record label,’ it’s more like a ‘recording collective,’ ” said Christian Roerig, who has worked for Squids Eye since its formation.

The difference Roerig is referring to is that Squids Eye doesn’t pressure its artists to come across as commercially viable. In what has become an indie world in recent years, Squids Eye tries to keep its emphasis on individuality.

Brian Saunders is the lead guitarist for Astro Fang, a Squid’s Eye band and part of the evening’s festivities. He knows his band has taken a few creative left turns, and is grateful to Squids Eye for hanging with them.

“Our songs are pretty weird,” he said. “They’re structured, but at the same time it’s real random. And they really couldn’t care less about which direction we’re going in.”

Saunders’ comment made him think twice.

“But if it sucks, then obviously you won’t be on the label.”

Roerig said the upcoming show will be a good representation of where Squids Eye will be heading in the coming year. At the end of the day, he considers these bands friends, and their exposure couldn’t mean more.

I think a lot of Squids Eye stuff is commercially challenging; it’s not something you’d hear on the radio,” Roerig said.

“Maybe you would in a perfect world.”