Epitaph Records is an independent record label based in Hollywood, California that was founded in the 1980s by Brett Gurewitz, the guitarist of Bad Religion. Originally created just to sell Bad Religion records, it has grown into a large independent label. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most bands on Epitaph were punk and pop punk, while more recent signings include post-hardcore and emo bands. A portion of the label is owned by Tim Armstrong of the punk band Rancid. Epitaph gives more creative freedom to bands compared to major labels.