Specialist Subject Records | |
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Founded | 2007 |
Founder | Andrew Horne, Kay Stanley [1] [2] |
Genre | Punk, Indie Rock |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Location | Leeds (2007), Exeter (2009–2017), Bristol (2017–present) |
Official website | specialistsubjectrecords |
Specialist Subject Records is an English independent record label initially founded in Leeds in 2007, but based largely in Exeter then Bristol since being revived in 2009. [1] They have been described as a "powerhouse" of DIY Indie Rock. [3]
Specialist Subject started in 2007 to release one 7" by the band Magnus Magnusson. [4]
In 2009 the label was revived in Exeter as a method of self releasing Horne's band Bangers, as well as those by friends' bands such as Caves. [1] For some time Specialist Subject had an office in the centre of the city. Since opening a record shop in Bristol in August 2017 [5] the label has been run from its premises upstairs at the music venue Exchange in the Old Market area of Bristol. [2] [6]
The label has mostly seen releases by up-and-coming British bands such as Doe, Muncie Girls, and Fresh; but it has also put out the UK editions of albums by acts from other anglophone countries such as The Smith Street Band (Australia), Jeff Rosenstock (USA), and Pillow Queens (Ireland).
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of mainly indie rock, but also punk rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, and electronic acts.
Converge is an American metalcore band formed by vocalist and artist Jacob Bannon and guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou in Salem, Massachusetts in 1990. While recording their landmark fourth album Jane Doe in 2001, the group became a four-piece with the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the addition of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller. This lineup has remained intact since. The members have also been involved in various side-projects and collaborations, including the bands Supermachiner (Bannon), Old Man Gloom (Newton), and Mutoid Man (Koller). With their extremely aggressive and boundary-pushing sound, rooted in hardcore and heavy metal, they are pioneers of metalcore and its subgenre mathcore.
Ben Koller is an American drummer who has played with Converge, Mutoid Man, Killer Be Killed and All Pigs Must Die. He started playing a full drum kit at age 14.
Cherry Red Records is a British independent record label founded in Malvern, Worcestershire by Iain McNay in 1978. The label has released recordings by Dead Kennedys, Everything but the Girl, The Monochrome Set, and Felt, among others, as well as the compilation album Pillows & Prayers. In addition to releasing new music, Cherry Red also acts as an umbrella for individual imprints and catalogue specialists.
The Bronx is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally formed in 2002. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Matt Caughthran, guitarists Joby J. Ford and Ken Horne, bass guitarist Brad Magers, and drummer Joey Castillo. The band has released six studio albums, as well as three additional albums of mariachi music under the moniker of Mariachi El Bronx.
Jeffrey Ernest Rosenstock is an American musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter from Long Island, New York. He is known for his former bands Bomb the Music Industry! and The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, as well as for his work as a solo artist and as a composer for Craig of the Creek. He is the founder of Quote Unquote Records, the first donation-based record label.
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Martha are a rock band from Pity Me, a village in County Durham in the North East of England. After singles on their own Discount Horse label and Odd Box Records, their debut album Courting Strong, was released on Fortuna Pop! and Salinas Records in 2014. As of 2022 they have released four full-length albums on cult UK and US based independent record labels.
Great Cynics were a punk rock group based in London, England.
Fresh is a British pop punk band formed in London in 2015 by Kathryn Woods (vocals/guitar), with George Phillips (bass) and Daniel Goldberg (drums) joining in 2016. The current lineup is completed by Joely Smith (guitar), who joined in 2023. They have released three albums and four EPs.
Doe were a British indie rock band from London, England, consisting of Nicola Leel, Jake Popyura and Dean Smithers (guitar). The band released two studio albums and toured extensively in the UK, Europe and USA.
Witching Waves are a DIY indie post-punk band from London, England. Drowned in Sound hailed their debut long-player as one of the best albums of 2014. They have released four full-length albums on independent record labels.
The Montague Arms was a music venue located at 289 Queens Road, in the Telegraph Hill ward of Lewisham, on the borders of Peckham and New Cross in south-east London from 1967 until 2018. The pub venue was known for its eccentric decor; which at some point included old fishing-boat lights, a 19th Century carriage containing a stuffed zebra, and an old diving suit.
DIY Space for London was a volunteer-run social centre, music venue, rehearsal space, and creative hub formerly located at 96-108 Ormside Street in South Bermondsey, London.
Muncie Girls were a British punk rock band, formed in Exeter, South West England in 2010. It consisted of Lande Hekt, Dean McMullen, and Luke Ellis (drums). The band released two studio albums, From Caplan to Belsize (2016) and Fixed Ideals (2018), on hometown label Specialist Subject Records and toured internationally.
Caves were an English melodic punk band from Bristol. Their lineup was based around the core duo of Lou Hanman (vocals/guitarist) and Jonathan Minto (bass/vocals). They have released albums on Specialist Subject Records, Yo-Yo Records, and Dead Broke Records.
Pillow Queens are an Irish indie rock band from Dublin, formed in 2016. The band is composed of co-lead vocalists Pamela Connolly and Sarah Corcoran, lead guitarist/backing vocalist Cathy McGuinness and drummer/backing vocalist Rachel Lyons.
Personal Best are an English punk band from Bristol. Founded by songwriter Robin Gatt in 2013, they have had several lineup changes in the time since. They have currently released two full-length albums; Arnos Vale (2015) and What You At (2019).
Joseph Talbot is a British singer and songwriter. He has been the vocalist for British rock band Idles since their inception in 2009.