OU EST LE SWIMMING POOL
‘Dance The Way I Feel’
OUT SOON
ABOUT STIFF RECORDS
In the dark days of the mid-70s, when the likes of Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and their gargantuan, gatefold-sleeved albums were the hippest things on the block, it wasn't much fun being a pop fan.
No-one had coined the word 'indie', and the only singles in the shops were those hand-picked by middle-aged gits from corporate record companies who were oblivious to "the street", let alone "the kids" on "the street". A change had to come, and it came via the highly influential Stiff Records, formed over 20 years ago in July 1976.
Stiff was very much the blueprint for the independent label of today, a rough-and-ready set-up founded on enthusiasm, naïvety, a touch of business acumen (although not too much, mind), a modicum of talent, and a few good pairs of ears.
Think of your favourite imprints of today and the recent past. Think Creation, Postcard, Go! Discs, Wiiija, Food, 4AD, Domino, XL — all of them freely admit to owing a debt to Stiff Records.
