Rough Trade and the 1970s
How did Rough Trade start?
Rough Trade began more than 30 years ago in West London. It was opened by a man called Geoff Travis who loved music so much, and although he had a degree from Cambridge he knew that he couldn’t do anything else so he opened the shop. He named the shop partly after a novel he read and partly after a Canadian band.
Which music trends were popular?
Punk music exploded in 1976 and it was different from the mainstream music that was popular back in the 70s and those were the records that Rough Trade stocked in the shop and sold it to people who were interested in punk music.
What was the ethos of Rough Trade at this time?
The ethos of Rough Trade was to provide obscure and challenging music to people who didn’t have anywhere else to get it from.
How was Rough Trade different to large corporations?
Rough Trade were different to large corporations because they were not interested in building an empire they just wanted to provide music to people that was not available anywhere else.
What techniques were used to expand the independent music scene?
Rough Trade teamed up with Reggae musicians in the West Indian communities.
How did this lead to Rough Trade’s expansion?
When Spiral Scratch was released in 1977 by a band called Buzzcocks it made Rough Trade revolt against the major record company to back band that could do it themselves. Once the band recorded their songs they, sealed and packed the CDs themselves which is part of the ethos of Rough Trade.
What type of business structure existed in the 1970s?
In the 1970s record distribution was controlled by major companies so bands would have no choice but to sign with the major record labels if they wanted to get their records distributed.
Explain the successes of the distribution department and record label?
One if the Rough Trade employees started a mail order for excess orders. Richard Scott began by setting up a mail order account for distribution to independent companies nationwide that wanted some of the stuff that Rough Trade had. It came down to not been subservient and been independent. The record label started when Daniel Miller set up Mute records in 1978. A French punk group came into the shop which prompted Rough Trade to expand into a record label. When Rough Trade signed a Belfast group called Stiff Little Fingers, the first album by them sold thousands of copies and put Rough Trade as a label on the map.
Rough Trade and the 1980s
How did contracts affect the development of Rough Trade?
Rough Trade weren’t interested in making hits so when a new group was signed the contract was split to fifty/ fifty and sooner or later the bands always left and signed with major record labels. So Rough Trade wasn’t properly protected and couldn’t keep these bands. Rough Trade naturally ran into financial difficulties because they had no business background and they ran out of money before they went to the factory. They were close to going bust and had to get rid of the shop to keep the record label and distribution.
What issues occurred between the record label and distribution?
In December 1982 the shop was sold to three of the workers and remains there today. The conflict between the record company and distribution began to grow. Distribution demanded record sales and people couldn’t.
What changes did this lead to within the business structure of Rough Trade?
In April 1983 Johnny Marr walked into the Rough Trade shop with a demo tape and The Smiths were taken under the Rough Trade label. Rough Trade hired London records a marketing force to help sell records. There was a discontent as Rough Trade marketing strategies began to mimic the major.
How did Rough Trade start?
Rough Trade began more than 30 years ago in West London. It was opened by a man called Geoff Travis who loved music so much, and although he had a degree from Cambridge he knew that he couldn’t do anything else so he opened the shop. He named the shop partly after a novel he read and partly after a Canadian band.
Which music trends were popular?
Punk music exploded in 1976 and it was different from the mainstream music that was popular back in the 70s and those were the records that Rough Trade stocked in the shop and sold it to people who were interested in punk music.
What was the ethos of Rough Trade at this time?
The ethos of Rough Trade was to provide obscure and challenging music to people who didn’t have anywhere else to get it from.
How was Rough Trade different to large corporations?
Rough Trade were different to large corporations because they were not interested in building an empire they just wanted to provide music to people that was not available anywhere else.
What techniques were used to expand the independent music scene?
Rough Trade teamed up with Reggae musicians in the West Indian communities.
How did this lead to Rough Trade’s expansion?
When Spiral Scratch was released in 1977 by a band called Buzzcocks it made Rough Trade revolt against the major record company to back band that could do it themselves. Once the band recorded their songs they, sealed and packed the CDs themselves which is part of the ethos of Rough Trade.
What type of business structure existed in the 1970s?
In the 1970s record distribution was controlled by major companies so bands would have no choice but to sign with the major record labels if they wanted to get their records distributed.
Explain the successes of the distribution department and record label?
One if the Rough Trade employees started a mail order for excess orders. Richard Scott began by setting up a mail order account for distribution to independent companies nationwide that wanted some of the stuff that Rough Trade had. It came down to not been subservient and been independent. The record label started when Daniel Miller set up Mute records in 1978. A French punk group came into the shop which prompted Rough Trade to expand into a record label. When Rough Trade signed a Belfast group called Stiff Little Fingers, the first album by them sold thousands of copies and put Rough Trade as a label on the map.
Rough Trade and the 1980s
How did contracts affect the development of Rough Trade?
Rough Trade weren’t interested in making hits so when a new group was signed the contract was split to fifty/ fifty and sooner or later the bands always left and signed with major record labels. So Rough Trade wasn’t properly protected and couldn’t keep these bands. Rough Trade naturally ran into financial difficulties because they had no business background and they ran out of money before they went to the factory. They were close to going bust and had to get rid of the shop to keep the record label and distribution.
What issues occurred between the record label and distribution?
In December 1982 the shop was sold to three of the workers and remains there today. The conflict between the record company and distribution began to grow. Distribution demanded record sales and people couldn’t.
What changes did this lead to within the business structure of Rough Trade?
In April 1983 Johnny Marr walked into the Rough Trade shop with a demo tape and The Smiths were taken under the Rough Trade label. Rough Trade hired London records a marketing force to help sell records. There was a discontent as Rough Trade marketing strategies began to mimic the major.
What has been the Rough Trade ideology and how was this affected by the change in structure?
Things had changed within the offices in Rough Trade and it was becoming more business orientated. In 1984 Rough Trade left its home in West Croydon, and in 1987 Rough Trade handed control over to management trust. The new system was bureaucratic and was a power struggle. There was war between the record label and distribution. This changed the ethos that Rough Trade had at the beginning which wasn’t about selling more records.
Which artists led to success for Rough Trade?
The Smiths led to success for Rough Trade because after the punk music scene had passed Indie music was something new and of the time and The Smiths were them.
What differences were there at this time between Rough Trade and other independent music labels?
By 1989 Rough Trade had the biggest roster of artists. Rough Trade were smart with The Smiths and they had made them signed a contract so when they tried to sign to BMI Rough Trade were saved by their contracts.
Rough Trade and the 1990s
What problems did Rough Trade incur at the start of the 1990s?
Rough Trade was at its financial peak crashing to the ground in the 1990s. The senior sales people left and when they went the management structure ceased to exist. Cash-flow problems were incorrect and they went into debt. March 1991 213 of Rough Trade staff was axed and its assets were frozen.
How did major labels branch out into the independent music scene?
Major labels now had in house independent labels and signed indie bands.
What actions were taken to revive Rough Trade?
In 1991 Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee came together to revive Rough Trade and they set to work on new musical projects. They met an indie band in America who hadn’t had much exposure and brought them to UK to record some songs however, with Pulp Geoff and Jeanette didn’t have a record label.
What new music industry areas did Rough Trade begin to work in and with which artists?
Pulp enjoyed a string of 5 top ten singles in 1995 and appeared on Top of Pops. Geoff and Jeanette decided to bring the Rough Trade name back in 2001.
Rough Trade in the 21st century
How has Rough Trade evolved in the 21st century?
Rough Trade’s name was back in 2001. The Strokes were the band that will kick start Rough Trade’s future.
How are their working practises different to the music produced through programmes such as X Factor?
Rough Trade had been managing Duffy for four years before they let her release anything. When she first Signed with Rough Trade they told her to work at her own pace and come up with something good and they gave her a lot of time to grow as an artist instead of giving her a list of songs to sing which is the process that happens with artists that win shows like the X Factor and are signed with major labels.
What successes have they had at this time?
With Duffy’s success Rough Trade were rewarded with their first number 1 single after 30 years. Rough Trade had now established themselves as a credible record label and they were now back on the map.
Things had changed within the offices in Rough Trade and it was becoming more business orientated. In 1984 Rough Trade left its home in West Croydon, and in 1987 Rough Trade handed control over to management trust. The new system was bureaucratic and was a power struggle. There was war between the record label and distribution. This changed the ethos that Rough Trade had at the beginning which wasn’t about selling more records.
Which artists led to success for Rough Trade?
The Smiths led to success for Rough Trade because after the punk music scene had passed Indie music was something new and of the time and The Smiths were them.
What differences were there at this time between Rough Trade and other independent music labels?
By 1989 Rough Trade had the biggest roster of artists. Rough Trade were smart with The Smiths and they had made them signed a contract so when they tried to sign to BMI Rough Trade were saved by their contracts.
Rough Trade and the 1990s
What problems did Rough Trade incur at the start of the 1990s?
Rough Trade was at its financial peak crashing to the ground in the 1990s. The senior sales people left and when they went the management structure ceased to exist. Cash-flow problems were incorrect and they went into debt. March 1991 213 of Rough Trade staff was axed and its assets were frozen.
How did major labels branch out into the independent music scene?
Major labels now had in house independent labels and signed indie bands.
What actions were taken to revive Rough Trade?
In 1991 Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee came together to revive Rough Trade and they set to work on new musical projects. They met an indie band in America who hadn’t had much exposure and brought them to UK to record some songs however, with Pulp Geoff and Jeanette didn’t have a record label.
What new music industry areas did Rough Trade begin to work in and with which artists?
Pulp enjoyed a string of 5 top ten singles in 1995 and appeared on Top of Pops. Geoff and Jeanette decided to bring the Rough Trade name back in 2001.
Rough Trade in the 21st century
How has Rough Trade evolved in the 21st century?
Rough Trade’s name was back in 2001. The Strokes were the band that will kick start Rough Trade’s future.
How are their working practises different to the music produced through programmes such as X Factor?
Rough Trade had been managing Duffy for four years before they let her release anything. When she first Signed with Rough Trade they told her to work at her own pace and come up with something good and they gave her a lot of time to grow as an artist instead of giving her a list of songs to sing which is the process that happens with artists that win shows like the X Factor and are signed with major labels.
What successes have they had at this time?
With Duffy’s success Rough Trade were rewarded with their first number 1 single after 30 years. Rough Trade had now established themselves as a credible record label and they were now back on the map.
How was Rough Trade’s ideology developed for the company in the present day?
Rough Trade continues to attract like-minded artists till this present day such as artists like the Libertines.
Rough Trade continues to attract like-minded artists till this present day such as artists like the Libertines.
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