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Bush Tetras broke onto the scene in a big way with their 1980 debut single, "Too Many Creeps". Released on 99 Records, it is a seminal piece of early 1980s post-punk that ranks amongst the definitive songs of the era. After releasing a string of singles and a live cassette, Bush Tetras split with only a handful of recordings to their name.Fortunately, Bush Tetras have reunited and continued to release music over the years, culminating in the release of a "best-of" box set by Wharf Cat Records in November of 2021. In this episode, singer Cynthia Sley discusses the early days of the band, opening for the Clash, and her lifelong friendship with guitarist Pat Place.Bush Tetras/Wharf Cat Records:https://bushtetras.wharfcatrecords.com/rhythm-and-paranoia

SVT rose from the ashes of Hot Tuna, comprised of ex-Airplane bassist Jack Casady and keyboardist Nick Buck. Eschewing the extended jams for tight power pop, they self-released their first single in 1979 before singing to 415 Records. There they released the brilliant "Heart of Stone" single and a seven-song EP before Buck left the band. In this episode of the Lost Labels Podcast, Nick Buck discusses his diverse musical influences and his time as part of San Francisco's burgeoning punk scene. Nick still releases music from his past as Nick Buck 9, which can be found on all major streaming services:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nick-buck-9/1511551644

From playing alongside Glenn Branca in seminal band Theoretical Girls to producing the first Sonic Youth album, Wharton Tiers has his fingerprints all over the late-70s/early-80s New York scene. Add to that his work with A Band and Glorious Strangers, and Tiers' discography provides the perfect entry point to the visceral world that is no wave. Since then, Tiers has also gone on to produce such beloved and acclaimed albums as Dinosaur Jr.'s "You're Living All Over Me" and Helmet's "Strap It On." Today, Wharton Tiers remains active with the Wharton Tiers Ensemble, Superduperlooper, his solo piano work, and the brand new Wharton's Expanding Jazz band. For more information, visit:http://www.whartontiers.com

From his college days booking artists like the Doors to his later career working with the Smiths and Pretenders at Sire Records, every chapter of Howie Klein's life is fascinating to the avid music fan. One of Howie's greatest legacies is the founding of 415 Records in 1978, one of San Francisco's seminal independent record labels. From beloved underground acts such as the Units and the Nuns to bands who would find mainstream success, such as Romeo Void, the roster of 415 artists is breathtaking in its diversity and talent.Recently, Liberation Hall has begun re-releasing some of 415's catalogue, including the label-spanning Disturbing The Peace compilation in late 2020. For more information on Liberation Hall and the work that they're doing, visit them here:https://www.liberationhall.comHowie Klein runs the political blog DownWithTyranny!, which can be found here:https://www.downwithtyranny.com415 Records: Disturbing the Peace can be purchased here:https://amzn.to/3rh8OCt

Although they only released three singles, US Ape seemed poised to become the next Talking Heads or Knack in the late 1970s. Fronted by Tom Goodkind, later of the Washington Squares, the band played a unique blend of danceable funk-new wave that didn't quite sound like any of their contemporaries.In this episode, we talk to keyboardist (and sometimes vocalist) Shauna Laurie about her time in the band and what it was like to be a part of the late-1970s scene. To see US Ape in action, watch their music video for 1979's "Ignorance Is Bliss":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yke96ZVxCkc

With seminal releases from Suicide, James Chance, Lydia Lunch, Was (Not Was), Kid Creole and the Coconuts, the Waitresses, and many others, ZE Records was described by John Peel as "the best independent record label in the world." UK-born Michael Zilkha founded the label alongside Michel Esteban in 1978, after running the short-lived Spy Records with John Cale. After the label closed in 1984, Zilkha left New York for Texas, where he now is in the renewable energy business.In this interview, we talk to Michael Zilkha about his early musical influences, his coming to New York immediately after school, and the formation of what would become one of the most acclaimed record labels of the era. Recently, Zilkha revived the ZE brand to release "The Future Is Mine" featuring Bun B and Mr. Biggs:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITdsUr4tDeo

Rudi were the first punk rock band to form in Northern Ireland, as well as being the first release on the seminal Good Vibrations record label. Guitarist Brian Young was influenced by the likes of Marc Bolan, the New York Dolls, and the Ramones--all of whom can be heard in Rudi's exceptional first single, "Big Time." Between their touring, television appearances, and follow-up singles, Rudi established themselves as an integral part of the Belfast punk scene. In this episode, we talk to Young about the music of his youth, his life-long passion for Johnny Thunders, and the rapid decline in the quality of punk music as the 1970s came to a close.

The Outcasts were one of the most popular bands to emerge from the punk rock scene in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After releasing a single on the short-lived IT Records, the Outcasts put out two seminal singles and a full length on Terri Hooley's Good Vibrations.Originally consisting of the Cowan brothers Colin (drums), Martin (rhythm guitar and vocals), and Greg (lead vocals and bass), as well as lead guitarist Colin "Getty" Getgood, the Outcasts's two GV singles ("Justa Nother Teenage Rebel" and "Self Conscious Over You") are rightfully considered classics to this day. In this episode, we talk to Martin Cowan about the band's history, as well as what it was like to be a part of the larger Belfast music scene.https://www.facebook.com/officialoutcasts/

Stiff Little Fingers' first single, "Suspect Device," was released on Rigid Digits Records, an independent record label founded by the band and managers Gordon Ogilvie and Colin McClelland.  McClelland, an established music journalist, had corresponded with Jake Burns prior to seeing them in concert and was hugely instrumental in getting the band into the studio for the first time.In this interview, Colin McClelland discusses his early experiences with rock 'n' roll, his introduction to Stiff Little Fingers, and the many trials the band faced in getting a record pressed and distributed. 

Any Trouble's debut album on Stiff Records is as catchy and well-constructed as anything released by Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello. Led by Clive Gregson, the band would join the 1980 "Son of Stiff Tour" alongside labelmates Joe "King" Carrasco And The Crowns, the Equators, Dirty Looks, and Tenpole Tudor. Any Trouble's second album, Wheels in Motion, followed in 1981. In this episode, Clive Gregson discusses the band's singing to Stiff, the Son of Stiff Tour, their breakup with the label, and his ongoing project to release an album every month of 2020.

Andy Murray joined the Stiff Records team in 1978 in order to oversee the "Be Stiff Tour" with Rachel Sweet, Mickey Jupp, Wreckless Eric, Lene Lovich, and Jona Lewie. Following the tour, Murray remained Stiff Records' press officer for 1979, earning accolades for his work with the label. Today Andy Murray runs 4 Tunes, a music business marketing consultancy and management company. Andy Murray was also a member of the Stiff All-Stars alongside the famed music video director Nigel Dick.

In 1978, then-16-year-old Akron native Rachel Sweet embarked on a tour of England alongside Wreckless Eric, Lene Lovich, and others. As she was merely a solo artist, a newly-formed group called the Records served as her de facto backing band.  After supporting Sweet, the Records (including guitarist Huw Gower) went on to release their debut album for Virgin Records in 1979.On this episode of the Lost Labels Podcast, we speak to Huw Gower about the early years of the Records, including their time as Rachel Sweet's band, as well as his later career (including a stint with David Johansen of the New York Dolls). Today, Huw Gower is a member of Icecream Skyscraper, whose most recent album was released in 2015.https://www.facebook.com/IcecreamSkyscraper/

Although the Adverts only issued one single on Stiff Records, that release ("One Chord Wonders"/"Quick Step") is now considered to be a seminal moment in punk history. Produced by Larry Wallis and following in the footsteps of their tourmates the Damned, "One Chord Wonders" was the first of a series of singles released by the Adverts leading up to their first full length, "Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts."Gaye Black aka Gaye Advert, bassist for the band, is now a visual artist whose work often reflects on those early days of British punk. In this episode we discuss how the band came together,  working with Wallis on the first single, touring with the Damned, and much more.Gaye Black's art can be found at:https://www.gayeblack.co.uk

Hailing from Liverpool, Yachts released their first single on Stiff Records in 1977. From there, they went on to release two full-lengths and a number of singles on Radar Records before splitting up in 1981. Known for their catchy melodies and wry lyricism, Yachts toured with everyone from Joe Jackson to the Who.This episode is the first part of our look at Stiff Records, the infamously subversive and anarchic record label founded by Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson in 1976. Future episodes will feature other artists and employees of the label, helping to dig into the Stiff mythology and separate fact from fiction.

Although the Waitresses are best known for their 1982 single "I Know What Boys Like," the history of the band can be traced back to the late-1970s Akron musical scene. Chris Butler cut his teeth in bands such as the Numbers Band (15-60-75) and Tin Huey before transforming the Waitresses from a side-project into a fully-fledged band. The Waitresses released their debut full-length, "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?," on ZE Records/Polydor in 1982.In this second part of a two-part interview, we discuss the latter part of Butler's career, as well as Akron bands that should have been bigger, the Waitresses' recent inclusion in the New York Times, and what it was like to be the opening act for Television's final concerts.

Although the Waitresses are best known for their 1982 single "I Know What Boys Like," the history of the band can be traced back to the late-1970s Akron musical scene. Chris Butler cut his teeth in bands such as the Numbers Band (15-60-75) and Tin Huey before transforming the Waitresses from a side-project into a fully-fledged band. The Waitresses released their debut full-length, "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?," on ZE Records/Polydor in 1982.In this first part of a two-part interview, we discuss Butler's early life and career in Ohio, his time with the Numbers Band and Tin Huey, and the genesis of the Waitresses. 

As a college student in Akron, Jane Ashley created the persona of "Jane Aire" to begin her musical career. After releasing the well-received "Yankee Wheels" single on Stiff Records in 1978, she signed with Virgin Records to record her debut full-length. In this episode of the Lost Labels Podcast, we explore the origins of Jane's career, her time with Stiff, and her more recent musical endeavors.

In this episode, we will begin our in-depth look at the influential "Akron Sound" by speaking to Nick Nicholis, founder of the Bizarros and Clone Records. The Bizarros are one of the seminal bands to arise from the Akron Sound, while Clone Records was there to document such artists as Tin Huey, The Human Switchboard, and The Waitresses.

The New York City quartet Marbles are perhaps best remembered for having released the third single on the seminal Ork Records (following Television and Richard Hell). Although their recorded output was limited to two singles, Marbles were regular headliners at CBGBs alongside the Ramones, Blondie, and the Talking Heads. In this interview, guitarist and vocalist Howard Bowler not only discusses the band's history but also shares the news of a television series he is creating about the legendary New York venue where Marbles got their start.

Best known as the guitarist for Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Ivan Julian helped to shape the sound of punk rock as we know it. Having first toured as a teenager with British soul group the Foundations, Julian quickly became an integral member of the late-1970s New York City music scene when he appeared on the Voidoids' classic Blank Generation. After the demise of the Voidoids, Julian went on to form the Outsets and Lovelies, in addition to appearing on the Clash's Sandinista, performing with everyone from Sandra Bernhard to Matthew Sweet, and becoming heavily involved in production. Today Julian runs SuperGiraffeSound in Brooklyn. Today, the Voidoids' seminal releases on Ork, Sire, and Radar Records remain essential listening.