Rock and Pop: Latest News
Published: 15 September 2011
by ROISIN GADELRAB
ONE small grace from the aftermath of the London riots was a noticeably greater appreciation of independent record labels and how easily they can be hurt.
When PIAS distribution group’s warehouse was razed in a terrible blaze in Enfield, taking with it a huge amount of stock from some of the UK’s main independent music labels, musicians and fans soon realised the magnitude of the loss.
Although the stock was insured, this terrible fire has affected hundreds of already struggling indie labels, some extremely close to home.
So here are two positives to come from it all: 1. The loss has brought a new resolve from hardened music fans to further value their indie labels, and 2. AIM (Association of Independent Music) has organised a sure sell-out charity fundraiser to help keep affected labels afloat at Favela London (Oct 5), featuring DJ Ashley Beedle, Justin Robertson, Pete Herbert, Richard Norris, Nathan Detroit, Ross Allen and Andrew Weatherall playing a rockabilly set.
• Last week the Tricks attracted chiselled label-mate Johnny Depp to their Bar Solo gig. They play Camden Barfly on Sept 19 – wonder who’ll turn out to see them this time... are Brangelina still in town?
• He’s recently joined Twitter where he enjoys exchanging coffee comments with John Prescott. But if you prefer Tim Burgess (the Charlatans) behind the decks, he’ll be DJing at Relentless Garage on Monday, Sept 19 plus live sets from Replicas, Trogons and Joseph Coward.
• Thanks to our reporter Dan Carrier for alerting me to worst music joke of the week: Why did the funky chicken cross the road? To get to the hen-dubz gig... (tumbleweed).