Wax Trax! Records was an influential independent record label founded in 1980 in Chicago, Illinois. It initially focused on punk and new wave music but later became known for its contributions to the industrial music genre. The label played a crucial role in promoting artists like Ministry, Front 242, and KMFDM. The label's unique approach to music distribution and artist development helped shape the underground music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Wax Trax! Records also operated a retail store that became a hub for music enthusiasts, further solidifying its impact on the alternative music culture of the time.