John Peel Wiki

Changes to the look of John Peel Wiki will take place in the near future due to a new skin being rolled out over Oct/Nov across Wikia. Please see the Wikia Staff Blog for further details. On this site, the changes will affect the navigation from the left menu, as well as introduce a fixed page width with narrower content space. Please be patient while adjustments are made for the switch to the new system.

UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

COUNTDOWN: Just a reminder for people still using Monaco that the final switch to the new skin is due on Nov. 3. After that, it will no longer be offered as an option. Sorry. Nothing to do with me.

Steve W

READ MORE

John Peel Wiki

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

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.)

Compilations[]

(Plays by Peel of various artist (v/a) releases on Chiswick Records.)

(LP - Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll) Chiswick CH 1

  • 19 April 1977: (John says he played a Glenn Glen track from a Chiswick LP at the beginning of the programme. Probably this one.)

(LP - Submarine Tracks & Fool's Gold (Chiswick Chartbusters Volume One)) Chiswick

See Also[]

Links[]