Chiswick Records

Chiswick Records was a British independent record label. Founded in 1975, Chiswick was the "first true 'indie' label to be established in Britain for nearly a decade". The label has been described as "significant" in the "punk era". It released some of the earliest records recorded by Hammersmith Gorillas, Count Bishops, Motörhead, Joe Strummer’s 101ers, The Damned, Skrewdriver, Billy Bragg, Kirsty MacColl, and Shane MacGowan.

The label was started by Ted Carroll and Roger Armstrong in 1975 as a subsidiary of Rock On Records. Shortly after Trevor Churchill joined, it was incorporated into Swift Records Ltd. Two years later it entered into a licensing deal with EMI. Subsidiary Ace Records was started in 1978, and Chiswick Records closed in 1983; its back catalogue is still owned by Ace Records Ltd.

(Read more at Wikipedia.)

Links to Peel[]

"It is mainly those small labels, Stiff and Chiswick, which give me heart and bring a little joy into this wicked world.”
{John Peel, Sounds, 23 Oct 1976.)[1]

Like Stiff Records, Chiswick was a pioneering independent label in the punk era, with roots in the earlier pub rock scene, setting a course that would dominate Peel’s shows in the decades to come, even before the emergence of indie distribution networks in the UK. The Damned and (late-period) Dr Feelgood recorded for both upstart labels.

Peel was an early Chiswick supporter, playing debut release, ‘Teenage Letter’ by Count Bishops, on 15 January 1976, as well as multiple tracks from label sampler LP 'Submarine Tracks & Fool's Gold (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume One)' in summer 1977. After sessions by Radio Stars and other bands on the label, ‘Incendiary Device’ by Johnny Moped placed #15 in the DJ’s self-chosen 1977 Festive Fifty.

The label enjoyed national chart success with rock and roll revival outfit Rocky Sharpe & The Replays, after Peel had played earlier incarnation Rocky Sharpe & The Razors. There were also hit singles and albums for a reformed Damned (without Brian James), who remained huge favourites of the DJ and show listeners, with further sessions and Festive Fifty entries.

Elsewhere, future metal legends Motorhead became international stars on Bronze Records, after building momentum with initial Chiswick releases (and a Peel session). The label also provided an early home for later Peel favourites, including 101ers (featuring Joe Strummer, Clash), Nipple Erectors (aka The Nips, Shane MacGowen, later Pogues), Johnny & The Self-Abusers (Jim Kerr, Simple Minds), and Riff Raff (Billy Bragg).

Meanwhile, Count Bishops singer Mike Spenser went on to make one of Peel's most-loved singles, 'Nothing Takes The Place Of You', with the Cannibals (released 1977, not on Chiswick), which found a place in John Peel's Record Box.

Other Chiswick artists known to have been played by Peel include Gorillas, Lee Kristofferson, Little Bob Story, Meteors, Radiators From Space, Red Beans & Rice, Skrewdriver, T.V. Smith's Explorers, Stiff All-Stars, Table, Two Two, and Whirlwind.

Chiswick eventually became a sub-label of reissue subsidiary Ace Records, whose releases Peel played heavily into the 21st century. Favourite vintage collections that came out under the Chiswick banner included ‘Early Recordings’ by guitar icon Link Wray.

Sessions[]

(Chiswick artists who recorded Peel sessions. List includes sessions when the artists were not on Chiswick.)

The_Count_Bishops_-_Peel_Session_1977 — The Count Bishops - Peel Session 1977

Count Bishops (2 sessions, 1976-77)
Damned (6 sessions, 1976-84)
Dr Feelgood (3 sessions, 1975-78)
Little Bob Story (2 sessions, 1977)
Meteors (4 sessions, 1981-85)
Motorhead (1 session, 1978)
T.V. Smith's Explorers (1 session, 1981)
Radio Stars (3 sessions, 1977-78)
Skrewdriver (1 session, 1977)
Whirlwind: (1 session, 1980)

Festive Fifty[]

Johnny_Moped_-_Incendiary_Device — Johnny Moped - Incendiary Device

(Festive Fifty entries on Chiswick; list does not include entries by Chiswick artists on other labels.)

Damned: 1979 Festive Fifty: Love Song #22 // 1980 Festive Fifty: Smash It Up #42 / Love Song #29 // 1982 Festive Fifty: Love Song #50 (all-time chart)
Johnny Moped: 1977 Festive Fifty: Incendiary Device #15