Career
Al-Attas co-founded (sometimes typeset BelowPARrecords) alongside Mark Catanzariti and Steven Chalker, in 2000. All three were only 16 and still in high school. The label concentrated on signing Australian indie bands, catering for rock artists and more specifically punk and its subgenres.
The label was granted A$20,000. Below Par became a part of Australian Independent Records Labels Association (AIR)—similar to the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), except independent-based—and then went on to sign Australian bands Something with Numbers and the now defunct For Amusement Only and Last Year’s Hero. They established a relationship with national independent distributor Inertia Music, which stocked their releases in both independent and chain retailers.
In January 2003, Below Par travelled to Los Angeles and New York City to meet of labels, artists, managers and agencies. They signed, toured and released an EP (Wake the Silent Day) for the band In the Grey, and then signed Brand New. In October 2003, they signed unknown Melbourne band Kisschasy and soon after announced a deal with Eleven: A Music Company.
Below Par has since worked with Jim Ward of Sparta, American rap rock artist MC Lars and pop punk band Yellowcard.
