Rough Trade was unique: a retail store, a distributor, and a record label. The store came first, then RT began distributing independent releases to other record stores. As the DIY movement grew and artists brought in their self-released records, Rough Trade would mark the labels with their stamp as distributor.
When the French punk band Metal Urbain came into the store with their "Paris Maquis" single, it was released as RT 001, and the Rough Trade record label was born.
Rough Trade was also unique in offering one-off contracts with a 50/50 deal. Nowhere else did artists receive half the proceeds for their records. Some singles were co-released by Rough Trade and the artists' own labels, or were re-released by RT for wider distribution. Artists were not contractually bound to stay with Rough Trade. After the success of Inflammable Material (Rough Trade's first LP, ROUGH 1), Stiff Little Fingers were free to sign with a major label.
The Smiths were the first group signed by Rough Trade to a long term contract. Geoff Travis and his colleagues had become disenchanted with working to promote groups like Scritti Politti and Aztec Camera and then losing them to major labels. Morose-y would soon become disenchanted with Rough Trade, but that's a vulgar story for another day. Let's enjoy some songs from the carefree early years of 1977-1980, before Armageddon comes.
Working On A Vision: More Rough Trade Covers
ReplyDeletehttps://tinyurl.com/wxa6bsn
Rob Young's 2006 book on Rough Trade (in Black Dog Publishing's Labels Unlimited series) is a helpful reference and a good read.
Too much Rough Trade? No such thing, Jonder!
ReplyDeleteBefore Amoeba Records opened in a former bowling alley in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, Rough Trade was THE BEST record shop hands down. I found so many gems for a dollar or two that it's ridiculous--including an autographed copy of a Lucinda Williams album for a mere $10.
As a label, they were just as great! It was a huge loss when they stumbled and fell. At that time, any record that had the HIGHTONE or the ROUGH TRADE logo on it was worth taking a chance on!
Rock On!
Stinky
I used to mail order records and badges from Rough Trade SF. I still have a few of the pinback badges (TG, YMG, Swell Maps).
DeleteLucinda Williams' self-titled Rough Trade album is (IMO) a perfect record. Rough Trade signed some great American artists. More on that next week.
There is a happy ending to the Rough Trade story, at least for Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee. Still, a huge loss (as you said) for the labels and artists who didn't get paid for their work.
I have mixed feelings about the Smiths' role in the Rough Trade story. On one hand, Rough Trade overextended themselves in promoting the group; on the other hand, the Smiths were a cash cow that probably subsidized the release of less commercial records and led other artists to Rough Trade's door. Signing the Smiths (after all the majors turned them down) also raised Geoff Travis' profile in the music industry and led to other opportunities for him, such as Blanco Y Negro.
Hey lads, let's do a cover of Disco Pope, bound to be a winner. Great stuff as always jonder, regards as ever. J in Liverpool
ReplyDeleteThat one has all the charm of the Prats' original. I really like the cover of "We Are Time" -- about halfway in, it kicks into high gear. I reckon Gareth Sager would be proud.
DeleteCheers bro. The I, Ludicrous share in the Zone is a gem. Hope you grabbed if not already in your (immense)collection. J
ReplyDeleteI most certainly grabbed it, and that Frank Sidebottom box set that showed up on TZ about a month ago was another treat!
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