Akashic Books
Akashic Books (and the related Akashic Records are "a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers." Both the publishing house and label were started by Johnny Temple, bassist for bands such as Fake Names, Girls Against Boys, Soulside, and New Wet Kojak.