Cherry Red, Still In The Pink

Label: Cherry Red Records
Artists: Including Dead Kennedys, The Monochrome Set, Eyeless In Gaza, Tracey Thorn, Benn Watt, Everything But The Girl, Mark Almond plus numerous cult re-issues

When punk exploded in the late seventies, it was the big bang that started the life cycle of many of today's most respected independent record labels.  One of these is Cherry Red Records, who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year and have evolved into a major market force in the music industry while still maintaining their autonomy.

Founded by Iain McNay,  the label's first success came with the release of the Dead Kennedys' now classic album "Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables" in 1979, beginning a string of lucrative signings including Everything But The Girl and the Monochrome Set.  During the latter part of the eighties, the label moved more towards reissues with occasional releases by established artists, forming alliances with many specialist genre labels to facilitate continued access for music lovers to music that may otherwise fall off the radar.  Recently the 80's became the focus of the new "Cherry Pop" imprint, feeding the nostalgia of one generation and the curiosity of another, as it releases the seminal sound that has fuelled much contemporary, synth-based music.  Although the business model has changed, Cherry Red's diverse musical output, often, but not always esoteric, has not.  The most visible  difference between the young punk label of the 70's and the mature business we see today is the quantity of releases, currently in the region of 50-60 a month; long may it continue.

To see video installments 2 & 3 of The Cherry Red Records story, along with a wealth of other goodies, go to Cherryred TV.