We talk about Music Video Distributors a lot ‘round these parts, mostly because the company is undeniably on the front line of the indie rock world, releasing daring and exciting CDs and DVDs from a wide range of punk, metal and prog-rock artists. This latest deal they’ve made, however, may be the company’s best move yet.

MVD Entertainment Group, the parent company of Music Video Distributors and MVD Audio, has signed a deal with legendary rock club CBGB to release a series of live performance CDs recorded on the CBGB’s stage, each disc featuring a full show captured on tape during the ‘80s and ‘90s and into the new century. MVD has worked with CBGB before, releasing live CDs by the Dead Boys, the Bad Brains and the Vibrators.

The first round of CD releases resulting from the deal will include live shows from the Mooney Suzuki, the Queers and H2O; a total of 10 to 15 individual performances and compilation albums are expected to be released by MVD over the next year. “It was always an honor to work with Hilly and CBGB, and I am especially touched that he entrusted MVD with this challenging new project,” say Ed Seaman, COO of MVD Entertainment Group. “The artists in the series have been so cooperative and responsive because of their respect for CBGB and Hilly. It has been really refreshing. And the club’s personnel did a great job capturing, mixing and storing the audio masters over the years."

A portion of the sale of every CBGB’s CD release will be donated to the Hilly Kristal Foundation for Music and Artists. Kristal, who opened the club in 1973 and ran it for 33 years until its closing last year, died in August after a long battle with lung cancer.