Records


Interviews


Interview Part 1 (2007)

Records - Interview Part 1

In the late 70's melodic power pop rockers the Records looked breifly set for major success, especially in America, but it all fell apart in a series of Spinal Tap-esque bad decisions. In the first part of a two part interview, drummer Will Birch chats to John Clarkson about his group's rise...


Interview Part 2 (2007)

Records - Interview Part 2

...while in the second part he tells of its downfall


Related


Interviews

Interview Secret Shine - Interview

Kathryn Smith, the vocalist with Bristol indie pop/shoegazing group and former Sarah Records band Secret Shine, speaks to John Clarkson about her band's long career and its appearance on both the 'Under The Bridge' compilations.


Interview Leaf Mosaic - Interview

Former Sugargliders vocalist and guitarist Josh Meadows talks to John Clarkson about his memories of Sarah Records, his new band Leaf Mosaic and 'The Branch Line', its contribution to the new 'Under The Bridge 2' compilation.


Interview Jane Duffus - Interview

Writer Jane Duffus speaks to John Clarkson about her new book on Sarah Records, 'These Things Happen'.


Interview Carlton Sandercock - Interview

Andrew Twambley interviews Easy Action Records owner Carlton Sandercock about his Marc Bolan fandom and his 'Elemental Child' project.


Interview Ian Button - Interview

Papernut Cambridge frontman Ian Button speaks to John Clarkson about ‘When the Magic Went Wrong’, his new collection of short stories and album about a down-on-his-luck magician, which he has recorded under the moniker of Toni Tubna and the Stockholm Tuba Sect, and his work with Gare Du Nord Records.


Interview Keiron Phelan - Interview

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Keiron Phelan talks to Kimberly Bright about his new Peace Signs album ‘Bubblegum Boogie’ and his work at Gare Du Nord Records.


Interview Simon Williams - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Simon Williams, the owner of indie label Fierce Panda Records, about his new biography ‘1-2 Cut Your Hair’, on Croydon-based punks, Johnny Moped


Interview Tom Newman - Interview

Andrew Twambley talks to record producer Tom Newman about his work on Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells', working as an in-house producer for Virgin Records, managing their Manor Studios and recording a song with The Great Train Robbers.


Interview Rob Pursey - Interview

Rob Pursey from Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, The Catenary Wires and Swansea Sound, talks about his and Amelia Fletcher's new label Skep Wax, and its new compilation 'Under the Bridge' which features acts who were signed to the influential indie label Sarah Records as they are now.


Interview Beth Arzy - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Beth Arzy about her involvement with LA indiepop band Aberdeen with influential label Sarah Records, and her present bands The Luxembourg Signal and Jetstream Pony’s contributions to new Sarah-inspired compilation ‘Under the Bridge’.


Bathers
Interview Bathers - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Chris Thomson, the frontman with the Scottish group the Bathers, about the reissue of their classic trilogy of '90's albums on the German label Marina Records, and 'Sirenesque', their forthcoming first album in twenty years.


Eugene Coyne
Interview Eugene Coyne - Interview

London-based singer-songwriter Eugene Coyne talks to John Clarkson about his fifth album and 'pop metal' record, which is the first of his records that he has written and recorded on the electric guitar.


Love
Interview Love - Interview

Anthony Strutt talks to Love guitarist Johnny Echols about his friendship with their front man, the late Arthur Lee; their relationship with Elektra Records and the making of their first three classic albums


Little Red
Interview Little Red - Interview

Owen Peters talks to Ian Mitchell from Oxford-based alt-folk trio Little Red about his band's three EPs to date and his label All Will Be Well Records


Blang Records
Interview with Joe Murphy and Jules Dakin Blang Records - Interview with Joe Murphy and Jules Dakin

Owen Peters talks to Joe Murphy and Jules Dakin, the co-owners of London-based indie label Blang Records, about its recent tenth anniversary and 'Lucky Dip', a new celebratory compilation album which features acts from throughout its history


Chantal Acda
Interview Chantal Acda - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to former Sleepingdog front woman and Dutch-born singer-songwriter Chantal Acda about her second solo album 'The Sparkle in Our Flaws', which is her first release on Glitterhouse Records


A Place to Bury Strangers
Interview Place to Bury Strangers - Interview

Anthony Strutt catches up with original and founder member, Oliver Ackermann from New York-based noise rockers A Place to Bury Strangers to talk about their just released fourth album, 'Transfixiation', and life for the band since leaving Mute Records


Bromide
Interview Bromide - Interview

John Clarkson chats to Simon Berridge , the front man with London-based indie trio Bromide, about his confessional new album, 'I Remember', and label, Scratchy Records


Shield Patterns
Interview Shield Patterns - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Richard Knox, the owner of Gizeh Records, about Shield Patterns, the electronic duo that he has formed with Manchester-based singer-songwriter Claire Brentnall; their debut album, 'Contour Lines', and his growing label


Broken Records
Interview Broken Records - Interview

John Clarkson speaks to Jamie Sutherland, the singer with much acclaimed Edinburgh-based alternative rock seven-piece act Broken Records about their first album in four years, 'Weights and Pulleys', which they have released on their own label


Profiles

1943 - 2023 Geoff Davies - 1943 - 2023

Steve Kinrade pays personal tribute to Geoff Davies, the manager of the legendary Liiverpudlian-based record shop and label Probe Records. who died in September.


Profile Soup Dragons - Profile

Fiona Hutchings checks out Precious records’ four latest 10 inch classic BBC radio sessions. This time it’s The Soup Dragons on the turntable


Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 1 Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 1

In the first part of a two-part feature on Alan Horne's career after the implosion of his influential record label Postcard Records, 'Big Gold Dream' director and 'Hungry Beat' co-author Grant McPhee looks at his short-lived follow-up label Swamplands.


Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2 Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2

In the second part of his feature on the latter career of indie record label owner Alan Horne, Grant McPhee looks at his resurrection of Postcard Records twice, firstly in the early 1990s and again in 2021


Dreams to Fill the Vacuum
The Sounds of Sheffield 1978-1988 Miscellaneous - The Sounds of Sheffield 1978-1988

Proud Sheffielder Fiona Hutchings checks out the latest curated collection from Cherry Red Records promising plenty of punk and post punk gems, including twelve previously unreleased tracks.


Ork Records
Profile Ork Records - Profile

Adrian Janes examines ‘Ork Records; New York, New York’, a well-produced double CD package which tells the story of influential 1970’s punk/new wave label Ork Records


Creation Records
Profile Creation Records - Profile

Tony Gaughan finds essential new five CD box set 'Creation Artefact: The Dawn Of Creation Records 1983-85', which focuses on the early years of the seminal label


Ian Mitchell
Interview Ian Mitchell - Interview

Oxford music luminary Ian Mitchell has decided to set up a new kind of record label, All Will Be Well Records. Owen Peters meets him to find out all about it.


Michael Head
Profile Michael Head - Profile

Megaphone Records re-issue the acclaimed 1997 masterpiece, 'The Magical World of the Strands', by Michael Head and the Strands. Keith How re-discovers its magic and 'The Olde World', an accompanying release of new recordings.


Mickey Jupp
Profile Mickey Jupp - Profile

Malcolm Carter reflects upon acclaimed English singer-songwriter Mickey Jupp, who has just had a CD box set, 'Kiss Me Quick, Squeeze Me Slow', that looks over his career released on Repertoire Records


Rocket Girl
Interview with Vinita Joshi Miscellaneous - Interview with Vinita Joshi

Mark Rowland talks to Vinita Joshi, the owner of Rocket Girl, which now has released over a hundred records, about her long-standing London-based label which she has run since 1997


Len Bright Combo
Profile Len Bright Combo - Profile

The Len Bright Combo were a short-lived garage/punk band fronted by Stiff Records' Wreckless Eric. Malcolm Carter examines both their albums, 'The Len Bright Combo' and 'Combo Time', which have recently been reissued by Fire Records


Alan McGee
Interview Alan McGee - Interview

Former Creation Records boss Alan McGee talks to Anthony Strutt about his new record company 359 Music, and why he has decided to start another label


Profile
Royal Trux S. Gears - Royal Trux

American alternative rock duo Royal Trux have been remembered for recording albums that were as eccentric as they were sometimes unlistenable. Andrew Carver reflects upon their first four albums which have just been reissued by Domino Records


Alligator Records
Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 1 Miscellaneous - Interview with Bruce Iglauer Part 1

In the first part of a two part interview, Bruce Iglauer, the the president and founder of Alligator Records, the largest contemporary blues label in the world, talks to Lisa Torem about forming his label, which was first founded in 1971


Profile
Bubblegum Records Miscellaneous - Bubblegum Records

Tommy Gunnarsson examines new Glasgow-based indiepop label Bubblegum Records which was formed earlier this year, and the four EPs and one album that it has already released


Profile
Loops Magazine Miscellaneous - Loops Magazine

Chris O' Toole looks at new bi-annual publication 'Loops Magazine', whivch is being published in a joint venture between Domino Records and publishers Faber


Profile
Safety Meeting Records Miscellaneous - Safety Meeting Records

Anthony Strutt profiles New Haven, Connecticut-based label Safety Meeting Records and three of its latest releases by Crooked Hook, Quiet Life and the Mountain Movers


Profile
Laughing Apple/Biff Bang Pow Laughing Apple - Laughing Apple/Biff Bang Pow

Anthony Strutt profiles the career of Alan McGee's 80's bands the Laughing Apple and Biff Bang Pow !, who have had singles recently re-released on Edition 59, the offshoot of German label Vollwert Records


Profile
Communications 1978-1992 Miscellaneous - Communications 1978-1992

'Communications 1978-1992' is a new four CD box set dedicated to Factory Records. Anthony Dhanendran examines Factory Records' massive influence and its history


Live

All Will Be Well Records
Jericho Tavern, Oxford, 13/11/2015 All Will Be Well Records - Jericho Tavern, Oxford, 13/11/2015

Owen Peters enjoys a showcase gig from new label All Will Be Well Records at the Jericho Tavern in Oxford, which featured six of their acts and included a remarkable performance from singer-songwriter Louise Petit


Toy
Banquet Records, Kingston, 7/1/2014 Toy - Banquet Records, Kingston, 7/1/2014

...and finds them equally on form at a show at Banquet Records in Kingston


Wilkommen Collective
Union Chapel, London, 12/6/2009 Miscellaneous - Union Chapel, London, 12/6/2009

Despite main act the Leisure Society having their stage time drastically cut, Ben Howarth finds much to be impressed about at a showcase evening at which the rising Wilkommen Records presented all its current roster of acts at the beautiful Union Chapel venue in London


Anais Mitchell
Luminaire, London, 21/1/2009 Anais Mitchell - Luminaire, London, 21/1/2009

Signed to Ani Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records, American singer-songwriter has been making an increasing impact in Britain. Guest reviewer Charles Howarth watches her play a emotive set to an entranced audience at the Luminaire in London


Operator Please
Pure Groove Records, London, 15/2/2008 Hanoi Rocks - Pure Groove Records, London, 15/2/2008

At the tiny venue of Pure Groove Records, possibly north London's smallest record shop, Sarah Maybank is both impressed and scared by upbeat Australian teenage five piece Operator Please's professionalism and musical talent


Headlines
Dublin Castle, London, 30/1/2007 Headlines - Dublin Castle, London, 30/1/2007

The Headlines are a new five piece band from Manchester. At a support date at the Fierce Panda and Pointy Records-sponsored Club Fandango at Dublin Castle in London, Olga Sladeckova finds their music radiating with energy


Kelp Records Showcase
Barrymore, Ottawa, 1/5/2004 Miscellaneous - Barrymore, Ottawa, 1/5/2004

Canadian label Kelp Records has just celebrated it tenth anniverary. At a gig to celebrate this at Barrymore's in Ottawa, Andrew Carver watches excellent performances from five of its best acts


Medium 21/Capes
100 Club, London, 27/3/2003 Medium 21 - 100 Club, London, 27/3/2003

Recently signed to new major label Temptation records. Indie guitar band Medium 21 have just finished playing a major British tour. Olga Sladeckoba watches them and support band the Capes on its last night both play energetic sets


Six by Seven
Sheffield Leadmill, 23/11/2002 Six By Seven - Sheffield Leadmill, 23/11/2002

Despite recently being dropped by Mantra Records, shortly after releasing their critically acclaimed third album, 'The Way I Feel Today', Six by Seven have lost none of their passion.. Denzil Watson catches them in intense form at the Sheffield Leadmill


January
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall January - Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall

The New Acoustic Movement has a lot to answer for. Not only did people start taking it seriously, they actually started buying Alfie records. Is this what happened to Romo? You were all wearing Boots mascara and dancing to Ultravox five years ago ,you che


Albums

John Peel Sessions 14.10.95 and 16.06.96 Bis - John Peel Sessions 14.10.95 and 16.06.96

In our Re: VIew section, in which we look back at records from the past, Dave Goodwin examines two Peel Sessions from 1995 and 1996 from Scottish indiepop trio Bis, which have just been released on 10" vinyl by Precious Recordings of London.


Saturday's Sons - Complete Recordings 1964-1966 Sons of Adam - Saturday's Sons - Complete Recordings  1964-1966

In our Re:View section, in which our writers look back at records from the past, Malcolm Carter celebrates a brlliantly produced double CD package of 60's cult band The Sons Of Adam’s complete output.


A Better Life – Complete Creations 1984-1991 Biff Bang Pow! - A Better Life – Complete Creations 1984-1991

Tommy Gunnarsson reflects upon a new six-disc box set on Cherry Red which compiles together Creation Records boss Alan McGee’s recordings with his 80’s and 90’s band Biff Bang Pow!


Sorted Party Day - Sorted

In our 'Re:View' column, in which we look back at records from the past. Dave Goodwin reflects on a new double CD compilation from early 80's Barnsley post-punk band Party Day


Giant Sand
Ramp Giant Sand - Ramp

Adrian P examines Giant Sand’s much-cherished 1991 studio album once more, which Fire Records have rebooted once more with a renewed double-disc edition.


Hangman's Beautiful Daughters
Smashed Full of Wonder Hangman's Beautiful Daughters - Smashed Full of Wonder

In our 'Re:View'section, in which we look at albums and records from the past, Dixie Ernill reflects on an excellent new compilation of forgotten 80’s garage band Hangman’s Beautiful Daughters.


Television Personalities
Beautiful Despair Television Personalities - Beautiful Despair

Erick Mertz examines 'Beautiful Despair', a 'lost' Television Personalities from 1990, which has finally come out on Fire Records.


Jelly Roll Morton
Complete Library of Congress Recordings Jelly Roll Morton - Complete Library of Congress Recordings

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers re-evaluate records from the past, Andrew Hare takes an academic look at the self-proclaimed founder of jazz Jelly Roll Morton's 'Complete Library of Congress Recordings' which was re-released as an 8 CD box set last year


Re : View-Various
Nuggets Miscellaneous - Nuggets

Conceived and compiled by Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman together with Patti Smith guitarist Lenny Kaye in 1972, 'Nuggets' is the definitive compilation of 60s rock and pop underground music. Now re-released, Geraint Jones assesses it abiding impact


Re : View-Brilliant Corners
Fruit Machine Brilliant Corners - Fruit Machine

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series. in which writers re-examine records from the past, Dixie Ernill looks back nostalgically on Bristol indiepop band the Brilliant Corners' excellent 'Fruit Machine' mini-album


Re : View-V/A
Vancouver Complication Miscellaneous - Vancouver Complication

In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which our writers lookk back on albums of the past, Andrew Carver examines 'Vancouver Complication', a classic 1979 punk compilation, which has just been reissued on Sudden Death Records with extra tracks


Re : view-Killers
Hot Fuss Killers - Hot Fuss

Released in June of this year, Las Vegas’ act the Killers debut album, ‘Hot Fuss’, has brought the band much acclaim and continues to sell well. Anthony Strutt explains why it is one of his records of the year


Re : view-Punishment of Luxury
Laughing Academy Miscellaneous - Laughing Academy

In the latest in our 'Re : view' series in which our writers look back on records that they feel deserve a second evaluation, Dave Toynton examines 1970's punk band Punishment of Luxury's lost classic, 'The Laughing Academy'


Re : View-Dashboard Confessional
The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most Dashboard Confessional - The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most

An odd encounter with a Vagrant records sampler plunged Jonjo McNeill into the beginning of a love affair with emo group Dashboard Confessional. He writes about the hold the band's second album 'The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most' has on him


Re : View-Tables
Shady Whims and Obstacles Miscellaneous - Shady Whims and Obstacles

In the latest in our 'Re : view' series in which our writers look back on records that they feel deserve a second evaluation, Tommy Gunnarsson examines Norwegian indiepop band the Tables' debut album, 'Shady Whims and Obstacles'


Re : view -Public Image Ltd
Metal Box Public Image Limited - Metal Box

Notoriously difficult, Public Image Ltd's second album, 'Metal Box', was one of the most seminal records of the late 70's. Jon Rogers looks at its impact twenty five years on


Features

Vinyl Stories Is Vinyl Too Expensive? - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' dives headfirst into a debate about the cost of new records, via a detour on the number 52 bus


Vinyl Stories Bill Wellwood - Vinyl Stories

In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin chronicles the start of a beautiful friendship based on a love of vinyl records.


Vinyl Stories Roy Bond - Vinyl Stories

In his ‘Vinyl Stories’ column Dave Goodwin chats to acclaimed close up magician and Las Vegas performer Roy Bond about the records that have shaped his life


Raging Pages Jay Bergen - Raging Pages

In her 'Raging Pages' book column, Lisa Torem examines Jay Bergen's new memoir 'Lennon, the Mobster and the Lawyer', which tells of his experiences representing John Lennon against Morris Levy, the Mafia-connected owner of Roulette Records, for the rights to his 1975 LP, Rock ‘n’ Roll’.


Envelope-Stretching Soul Bandcamp Explorer - Envelope-Stretching Soul

In 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland examines some of the best soul records available on Bandcamp.


Gringo Records
Bandcamp Explorer Gringo Records - Bandcamp Explorer

In his new series 'Bandcamp Explorer' Mark Rowland goes orienteering through the Bandcamp wilderness to find its hidden gems and begins by profiling the latest releases of Nottingham label Gringo Records.


Grapevine Records
Vinyl Stories Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin and record collector Pete Smith share memories and essential tracks from Northern Soul imprint Grapevine Records.


1979
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... Miscellaneous - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

Fiona Hutchings in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' takes us on a tour of the records that mean the most to her from 1979, the year of her birth.


Northern Soul
Vinyl Stories Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin investigates five Northern Soul compilation albums that have been reissued through Club Soul/Charly Records on vinyl.


Bruce Iglauer/Alligator Records
Raging Pages Bruce Iglauer/Alligator Records - Raging Pages

In her 'Raging Pages' book column Chicago-based writer Lisa Torem finds ‘Bitten by the Blues’ about the Windy City label, Alligator Records, to be a compelling, frank and informative read.


The Most Dear Records of All Time
Vinyl Stories Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin discovers the most expensive records in the world.


Stiff Records
The Stiff Records Story Richard Balls - The Stiff Records Story

in her regular 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds that Richard Balls' book ‘Be Stiff’, which is about the rise and fall of Stiff Records, imbues a classic, cultural relevance and that its heroes made an indelible mark on pop/punk music.


Stuart Avis
Vinyl Stories Miscellaneous - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in 'Vinyl Stories' talks to Stuart Avis, member of Brighton prog/electro collective Servants of Science, about his love of Sparks, their records and their associated memories.


Jeremy Thoms
Vinyl Stories Jeremy Thoms - Vinyl Stories

Dave Goodwin in his regular column 'Vinyl Stories' speaks to multi-musical man, Stereogram Records owner and Cathode Ray frontman Jeremy Thoms about his vinyl records.


Sam Phillips
Raging Pages Sam Phillips - Raging Pages

Sam Phillips, the late owner of Sun Records in Memphis, brought Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to fame. Lisa Torem reflects on a new book that explains the back stories behind the man’s ingenuity.


Vinyl Stories
Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 2 Miscellaneous - Planet Vinyl A Natural History Part 2

In last month's Vinyl Stories we took ourselves from the very start of the record to the point of vinyl's world domination. In part two of Dave Goodwin's journey into this rise of the vinyl record he examines the trends and fortunes of in-demand records with the help of an old friend called Jimmy


Fiona Hutchings
Vinyl Stories Fiona Hutchings - Vinyl Stories

In his regular 'Vinyl Stories' column Dave Goodwin talks to Pennyblackmusic writer Fiona Hutchings about her passion for Madness, Queen and Mark Morriss whose records are amongst her favourite albums


Cambrian Records
Under the Radar Miscellaneous - Under the Radar

In the second in his new column 'Under the Radar', in which he will examining the great but often under-rated, Keith How investigates Cambrian Records, the micro-label of Welsh guitarist Toby Hay


Anthony Strutt
Vinyl Stories Anthony Strutt - Vinyl Stories

In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin talks to Anthony Strutt, one of Pennyblackmusic's oldest writers, about his favourite vinyl records, which include LPs by the Doors, the Pretenders, the Smiths, the Cure and the Beatles


ECM Records
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... ECM Records - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...

in 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Keith How reflects on some of his favourite tracks released by German ambient/jazz label ECM Records


Photography

John Lennon McCullagh
Photoscapes John Lennon McCullagh - Photoscapes

Bill Gray photographs sixteen year old singer-songwriter John Lennon McCullagh, who was the first signing to ex-Creation Records boss Alan McGee's new label 359 Music