I have no idea where other Independent record labels are headed in future. Perhaps I can give you an idea of where I may take Iron Man Records if anything goes to plan. Which often, it doesn’t. But the quote “When all music is digital, all independence ceases” continues to permeate my thoughts. I want to keep the record label focused on releasing records, digitally and also on Vinyl. I want to leave the artists to work on writing, rehearsing, touring and recording. I’m not interested in getting more involved with the artists beyond releasing their music. I don’t like the idea of taking more control or involvement in what they…
rock
What are your thoughts on Vinyl? Are the costs of Vinyl production affordable to Independent labels?
“When all music is digital, all independence ceases.” I suppose, what I’m trying to say is that whoever controls the digital platform controls the market. Whether it’s Google, Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon, if all music is digital then at some point you will have to engage the digital platform for access. If you lose access to the platform, you lose access to the music. From an artists perspective, either you place your music where the people are, or you have to encourage people to find your music where you are. The first one is easy, the second is not so easy. But either way, the lack of scarcity in the…
How has Iron Man Records adapted to the growth of digitalisation?
Iron Man Records has had little choice, it has had to learn to adapt to digitalisation regardless. From 2004 until 2014 the label has seen a steady decline in physical sales both online and through physical outlets. From 2014 until 2017 this has continued at a faster rate and from 2017 to 2018 there has been a sharp drop, the decline has got much worse and deteriorated rapidly. This decline, which has accelerated in recent times, has effected not just Iron Man Records products, but all physical products the label makes available for sale. The physical distributors who take stock from Iron Man Records and distribute across the UK, Europe and…
What does the term ‘Independent’ mean to Iron Man Records?
“In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: Not necessarily to Win, but mainly to keep from Losing Completely.” Hunter S Thompson — Gonzo Papers, Vol. 1: The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time (1979) Hunter S. Thompson had many wise words that can be useful to anyone wanting to work in the music business. But I’ve always puzzled over a simple question “How did he know?” Independent can mean many different things. For Iron Man Records, an independent record label, it often means working hard and trying to turn available time and resources into…
Brassick – Appreciate Your Concern EP released on Iron Man Records 15th October 2017
IMB6038 Brassick - Appreciate Your Concern EP Released on Iron Man Records, 15th October 2017 Brassick are Nicola, Peter, Jay & George. Hailing from the West Midlands UK, Brassick have a fast growing following and reputation as one of the most exciting bands around. Playing a mash up sound of punk, metal and hardcore, they released their first EP “Broke & Restless” in 2013. This was followed two years later in 2015 with their self titled debut album. The band are proudly independent but have worked closely throughout their time with French Label Mass Prod who have helped establish them amongst the punk scene in France and further afield. Now in…
This Week: Total Assault On The Culture
Bandcamp Work has started on uploading the Iron Man Records Catalogue on Bandcamp. To start with all releases will be available for £5 or you can Stream the releases and listen for free. All Releases are available on most of the download and streaming platforms already but for those of you who want an alternative to Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google, Youtube, Facebook and all the other main providers, Bandcamp seems good. Back In Five Years: Some people wonder what on earth I do for a living. Well, I earn money working as a Tour Manager. I spend all the money I earn trying to keep Iron Man Records going. Here's…
A.O.S.3 – Far and Few (OUT NOW on CD / LP / Digital Download)
"The Long Threatened Mythical 3rd A.O.S.3 LP - It only took twenty years, but we think it was worth the wait - a hugely revitalised A.O.S.3 take a journey down to the Waters Edge, almost certainly the best LP yet from the Sunderland Dub Punk pioneers." A.O.S.3 - Far and Few released 13th November, 2015 Members of A.O.S.3 on this recording: John Horabin, Colin Cumpson, Andy Brown, Kev Peberdy, Sam Goddard, Penny Layden, Oska 'Shithands' Hogg Lyrics - John Horabin Recording and Mixing - Sam Goddard Art Direction - John Horabin Cover painting - Drea Blackbird Other writing credits - Chris Williams, Matt Pritchard Rear cover Photo - Jef Hardy Tracklisting:…
Police Bastard – Dead To The World – Digital Release (23rd November 2015)
IMB6020 POLICE BASTARD - Dead To The World Digital Release on Iron Man Records, 23rd November, 2015 (Available to pre-order with 6 advance tracks from 23rd September 2015) Tracklisting: 1 Thug Nation 2 Mental Slave 3 Sweatin' Green 4 Mandatory Suicide 5 Death To The Unbelievers 6 Powerless 7 No Security 8 Enslaved 9 Second Skin 10 A Lesson In Human Control 11 Gulf War Syndrome 12 I Crush Worlds 13 Death Of Meaning 14 Dead To The World 15 Second Skin (Remix) 16 Relationshit Members of Police Bastard on these recordings: John - Guitar/Vocals Pid - Vocals on tracks 9 to 12 Dan - Guitar Dee - Bass Clive -…
Iron Man Records – a Birmingham based Independent Record Label
Iron Man Records is a Birmingham based independent record label, founded in 1996. The label has released recordings by: P.A.I.N, Police Bastard, John Sinclair, Nightingales, Steve Fly, TC Lethbridge, Dufus, Sensa Yuma, and Last Under The Sun, amongst others. “Music has no flag, no government, no police. Nobody owns it, nobody controls it. Music crosses all borders of geography, language, culture and belief. Music brings people together.....” - Reasons Why Iron Man Records is run by a Music Promoter and Tour Manager - Mark Badger and a Script writer and Lawyer with a music background - Kevan Tidy. Mark Badger founded Birmingham Music Network, in 2000. Since 1994, Mark has organised…
Police Bastard – “It’s Good To Hate” CD distributed by Cargo
Police Bastard - "It's Good To HATE" distributed by Cargo - October 6th 2014 “Police Bastard – ‘It’s Good To Hate’ CD and DVD Four new tracks and one cover here and its typical Police Bastard…powerful, inspiring, hardcore punk with passionate vocals (incidentally, when did Stu-Pid grow up and come just plain ‘Pid’?!). If any changes are noticeable since their original incarnation, then it’s probably a bit more metal influenced, with the occasional guitar screech and more Doom-esque growls of anguish, but apart from that its good as ever and especially that ‘Pid’ is back on vocals. The cover is The Mob’s ‘I Wish’ which, after the gentle intro, gets the…
Nightingales – Out Of True in 2014
Born out of Birmingham's original punk group The Prefects, the Nightingales have stubbornly ploughed their own furrow in the field of alternative rock n roll for three decades. 2006 saw the release of "Out Of True" on Iron Man Records and the return of a reformed Nightingales after some years away. The band have not wasted much time since then and yet another new album is on the way for 2014. The new album, which remains secret for now, was recorded at Faust studio in September 2013 for release in spring 2014. There will be a vinyl lp and the record label & title will be confirmed soon. The band hope…
Samuel Fry
Sam Fry Passed away this weekend. He was the second drummer with Last Under The Sun from 2001 to 2002, he played many gigs and played the drums on the the 30 second 30 song first demo called "Defect" and the 8 songs that made up "Windfall" that the band produced around the same time. If anyone has any more photos of Sam when he was in Last Under The Sun with Rhys and myself, please send a copy across. I didn't have a decent camera in those days so i have no photos of him at all that I can find. He was a good drummer and a kind, caring,…
Police Bastard – "It’s Good to Hate" CD (Iron Man Records) Released May 23rd 2010
Police Bastard - "It's Good To HATE" will be released through Birmingham's Iron Man Records, May 23rd 2010. The release contains a CD featuring four new songs and one cover version with an additional DVD containing live footage collected between 2007 and 2010. The record features the work of founding band members Pid and John Doom doing dual vocals together again for the first time in ten years. The gigs and recordings have also seen the return of Chris Crass, who took over on bass from Trogg in 1994. Seano Porno and Mark Badger from Last Under The Sun have picked up the work of guitars and additional vocals and the…
How does Iron Man Records choose it's artists and how does it promote them?
“HOW DOES THE PUNK MUSIC RECORD LABEL, IRON MAN RECORDS CHOOSE ITS ARTISTS AND HOW DOES IT PROMOTE THEM?” writtten by JANINE LABUSCAGNE BA (HONS) Media & Communication, University of Central England, 2007. “.....There are two kinds of music – good music and bad music. Good music is music that I want to hear. Bad music that I don’t want to hear” Fran Lebowitz, Metropolitan Life, 1978 The objective of this study discusses promotional strategies generated by the independent record label, Iron Man Records. The research examined the use of the Internet as a free marketing tool and how traditional methods of running a label did not have an affect on…
Framework Studios
Framework Recording Studios Iron Man Records works with Framework studios, Birmingham. Based on Floodgate street, Digbeth, the studio is walking distance from the City Centre and it's easy to find. There's plenty of free parking outside. In the past Framework Studios has worked with Napalm Death, Carcass, Cathedral, Meathook Seed, P.J.Harvey, Ride, Family Cat and other acts including Harpies, Damn Dirty Apes, Last under The Sun, IOD, Godsize, Long Time Dead, Locus of Control, Piss On Authority, Police Bastard, Spirit Bomb and more. If you are after a top producer call Simon at Framework on: 07790 158210
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