A new record company concentrating on pub rock music and limited edition collectors recordings has been launched under the name Stiff Records. Product is currently available via mail order or selected record retail chains but a distribution deal with a major record company is being organised.
Andrew Jakeman, a director of the company, said: "We are dedicated to retailing three-chord songs, failing last chance singers, as well as collectors item offers and possible chart records. Our first releases will include Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers whom I manage, and Nick Lowe, previously with Brinsley Schwarz — all the material will be previously unreleased and will include a lot of music from pub rock acts prior to their being attracted to other record companies."
Also involved in Stiff is D. W. (David) Robinson, manager of Nick Lowe and also Graham Parker and Rumour. There are also three shareholders, Nick Lowe, Lee Brilleaux and Keith Morris. Copies of Stiff Records will be available either by mail-order at a cost of 65p including postage and packing, or from Virgin, Rock On and Bruce's stores. Record catalogue releases will be prefixed with the initials BUY and promotion for the products will be fully advertised in ZigZag and other magazines.
Jakeman added: "We are negotiating for a distribution deal which will bring our product much greater prominence. Material from bands' pre-contract days, including live recordings, will be issued although it is being done with the full cooperation of the artists concerned. In a lot of cases, the artists are actually doing their own re-mixing and we are working in full collaboration with them."
Stiff Records will also be looking out for new acts and pub rock talent and among the initial releases lined up is Between The Lines by the Pink Fairies, featuring a new two guitar line-up of Martin Stone and Larry Wallace. Two compilation LPs are also planned. The company is based at 32 Alexander Street, W2, Tel 020 3741 9000.
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