Richard writes: "In 1977 everything became No Future. And as Johnny Rotten explained, there is no future unless you make it yourself. D.I.Y. That simple and elegant credo was overtaken by the newspapers who forced Punk upon us. Everywhere from even the smallest countries bands, fanzines, art, experiments grew.
"In Amsterdam, Sam Tjioe and Wally Van Middendorp started Plurex: a label to release their own independent music and release other like-minded acts. The diversity of the acts grew as more acts released music on the label."
Around the same time that Plurex began, Hanje Joustra started the label No Fun. I Don't Care (The No Fun And Plurex Singles) is a compilation released in 2015, with a wonderful cover image by Joost Swarte (see above). In 2024, From Punk To Ultra: The Plurex Story was released on LP and CD. Some of the early Plurex releases are available on Bandcamp from the Smikkelbaard label. Minny Pops' albums (including their 2019 comeback LP, Stockholm 1974) are also on Bandcamp via the Blowpipe label.
Richard's compilation is unique in that it contains all of the singles and EP's released by Plurex from 1977 to 1980. "All early singles and epees are here collected and ordered according to catalogue numbers. A few catalogue numbers were used for albums, and Plurex 0015 is unissued." Otherwise the collection is complete from PLUREX 0001 through 0019.
Having compiled singles discographies from several record labels of the same era, I find Plurex similar in spirit to Rough Trade and Subterranean. These labels were started to release early independent punk singles, and they quickly embraced a wide range of adventurous music. Many thanks to Richard for sharing the early Plurex catalog. With the exception of Minny Pops, all of these artists were new to me.
Plurex v1: https://pixeldrain.com/u/FbGR1avo
ReplyDeletePlurex v2: https://pixeldrain.com/u/BaobHAKc
Wow, a Double Dutch post, including my favorite comic artist Joost Swarte, thanks Jonder & Richard!
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes! I know Plurex from the Tits and Filth 7"s; s/o to Old Weak But Always A Wanker and WhyDoThingsHaveToChange for hipping me to them many years ago. So getting to hear singles from their labelmates should be a real joy. Cheers, gang.
ReplyDeleteOld Weak But Always A Wanker was a great blog (RIP Mythkoz) and WhyDoThingsHaveToChange is carrying the torch for all the great old punk blogs like Dressed For The H Bomb, 7InchPunk, Last Days Of Man On Earth, Dr. Drunk Ruins It For Everyone... now I'm getting all teary eyed. Thanks for stopping by, Captain!
DeleteExcellent text to go with it, Thanks Jonder
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the contribution! It's right up my wheelhouse and in my alley.
DeletePLUREX is new to me! Nice comp!
ReplyDeleteRemember Plurex from David Thomas & the Pedestrians - Variations on a Theme & Nasmak - 4our Clicks (Plurex released 4our Clicks that I shared a remix version of over at NSS). Other than that unknown to me. Looking forward to checking these out. Thanks Richard & Jonder.
ReplyDeleteHappy to share! Plurex released some "world music" (such as California bands The Twinkeyz and The Mumbles, as well as David Thomas, Eric Random, and The Musical Janeens).
DeleteRichard may still be looking for The Musical Janeens album "Sell Out" -- if anyone has it, please post a link!
Yes indeed. Plurex 15 is not unissued, it is that Musical Janeens album, Sell Out. Another 1980s recording is available on bandcamp here https://sheffieldtapearchive.bandcamp.com/album/musical-janeens-the-psalter-lane-tapes-1980
DeleteI like the Plurex numbering system. If the 15th release had been a 7", it would have been 0015. But it was a 12", therefore 1500.
ReplyDeleteLooks great -- thanks team!
ReplyDelete