20 Awesome Records You Probably Didn’t Know Went Gold (Sold 500,000 Copies)
The rock world is in short supply of gold plaques. Album sales continue to bleed obsolescence, and moving 500,000 copies is just downright unrealistic for most musicians today. In a scene where selling 100,000 records alone is enough to earn a band some serious label love, Gold certification for a band today is a monumental (and extremely rare) achievement. Here are 20 records from some of our favorites who actually defied the odds and broke out to a Gold level of commercial success.
1. Brand New – Deja Entendu (Triple Crown; 2003)
Deja Entendu was released through indie label, Triple Crown Records. Interestingly, after the band upgraded to a major label (Interscope)—with regular spins on rock radio—they were never able to match the commercial success of this album.
2. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Don’t You Fake It (Virgin; 2006)
The band’s Top 40 single “Face Down” is largely to thank for the success of their major label debut.
3. Underoath – They’re Only Chasing Safety (Tooth & Nail; 2004)
It took seven years for this Underoath record to sell 500,000 copies.
4. Hawthorne Heights – The Silence In Black And White (Victory; 2004)
5. Underoath – Define The Great Line (Tooth And Nail; 2006)
6. Story Of The Year – Page Avenue (Maverick; 2003)
Two hit radio singles—“Until The Day I Die” and “Anthem Of Our Dying Day”—and video rotation on MTV helped make Page Avenue the band’s only Gold record.
7. Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends (Victory; 2002)
8. AFI – Sing The Sorrow (now Platinum) (DreamWorks; 2003)
9. The Used – The Used (Reprise; 2002)
10. NOFX – Punk In Drublic (Epitaph; 1994)
Honorable Mention: Breathe Carolina – “Blackout” (single, now Platinum) (Fearless/Columbia; 2011)
11. AFI – Decemberunderground (now Platinum) (Interscope; 2006)
12. Dashboard Confessional – The Place You Have Come To Fear The Most (Vagrant; 2001)
Dashboard would go on to have two more Gold records.
13. Taking Back Sunday – Where You Want To Be (Victory; 2004)
14. MxPx – Slowly Going The Way Of The Buffalo (Tooth & Nail/A&M; 1998)
