Independent label Study

Lauren Mabbett

Rough Trade began as a record shop, opened by Geoff Travis on Kensington Park Road, West London, in February 1976.

It was inspired by what Travis has described as the "community-based environment" of the City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, and specialised in garage rock and reggae.

Steve Montgomery, initially a customer of the shop, was offered a job soon after it opened and became its effective co-manager. Travis and Montgomery were joined by a further employee, Richard Scott, in June 1977.

Rough Trade produced its own record for the first time after French punk band Métal Urbain came into the shop asking for assistance in publicising their music.

In 1978, the shop began organising a record distribution network, dubbed "The Cartel", in collaboration with other independent record stores in the UK.

This network enabled small record labels such as Factory Records and 2 Tone Records to sell their releases nationally. It specialized primarily in European post-punk and other alternative rock of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It also distributed a range of British fanzines such as No Cure.

The Rough Trade label subsequently issued a single by Jamaican reggae singer Augustus Pablo, the debut single by Sheffield band Cabaret Voltaire and the second Stiff Little Fingers single, "Alternative Ulster". During 1978, the label released singles by The Monochrome Set, Subway Sect, Swell Maps, Electric Eels, Spizzoil and Kleenex. In 1979, Rough Trade's first album, Inflammable Material by Stiff Little Fingers, reached number 14 in the UK charts and became the first independently released album to sell over 100,000 copies in the UK. Rough Trade's significance by this time was such that it was made the subject of a South Bank Show documentary.

In 1982, the retail outlets broke with the A&R and distribution divisions, after a decision to allow the shop staff buy out. The distribution wing found itself overtrading by 1991 and shortages of cash flow lead to a filing for bankruptcy. The entire company ended up in receivership.

Rough Trade Records was relaunched in 2000 as an independently owned entity, a

partnership between Travis, Jeanette Lee (a former member of Public Image Ltd.), and minority partners Sanctuary Records, as a part

of the Zomba Group until June 11, 2002 when BMG bought out this business.

In July 2007 Sanctuary Records then sold Rough Trade to the Beggars Group making Rough Trade independent once again.

Since its rebirth, Rough Trade has released albums by artists such as The Strokes, The Libertines, Babyshambles, and Belle & Sebastian.

1990sA R KaneAberfeldyAdam GreenAlabama Shakes[1]

Alela DianeHorace Andy[2]

Antony and the JohnsonsArcade FireAztec Camera[2]

BabyshamblesBacio di ToscaThe Band of Holy Joy[3]

The BatsBaxter DuryBeat Happening[3]

Bell OrchestreBelle & SebastianBernard ButlerBlue Orchids[4]

BrakesBritish Sea PowerBasia BulatThe Burning HellButthole SurfersCabaret Voltaire[5]

Camper Van Beethoven[3]

Carter USMCathedral[6]

Chris & Cosey[3]

Chris ThomasJarvis CockerColorfingerCornershopIvor Cutler[7]

The DecemberistsThe Del FuegosDelaysDelta 5The Detroit CobrasDie KruppsCara DillonDisco InfernoThe Dream SyndicateDuffyBill DrummondEasterhouseEddi ReaderEmiliana TorriniEssential LogicTav Falco's Panther BurnsThe Fall[8]

feedtime

The Feelies[9]

The Fiery FurnacesGalaxie 500[10]

Giant SandThe Go-Betweens.[11]

God Help the GirlVic GodardGruff RhysHalAlbert Hammond, Jr.The Hidden CamerasThe Hold SteadyHoundmouth[12]

Howard BilermanHowlerHope Sandoval & The Warm InventionsIslandsJamesJames DavinJohnny Flynn & the Sussex WitFreedy JohnstonRichard H. KirkDavid KittKleenexLevitationJeffrey LewisJenny LewisThe Libertines[13]

LiLiPUTLittle JoyThe Long BlondesCerys MatthewsMassacra[14][15]

Mazzy Star[16]

Métal Urbain[17]

MicachuMicrodisneyThe Mighty DiamondsMiracle LegionMiracle FortressThe Moldy PeachesThe Monochrome SetThe Morning BendersMonsters of FolkThe Motorcycle BoyMy Morning JacketMystery JetsThe Mr. T ExperienceOpalPalma VioletsPantha du PrincePere Ubu[18]

PookaThe Pop Group

Pussy GaloreQueenAdreenaThe Raincoats[19]

The Red CrayolaJonathan RichmanRobert RentalRoyal CityArthur RussellSahotasScissors for LeftyScrawlScritti PolittiThe SeersShelleyan OrphanShort Dogs GrowShrimp BoatThe Smiths[20]

Soul AsylumSouled AmericanEpic SoundtracksSpizzenergiSpring Heel JackSufjan StevensStiff Little Fingers[21]

Straitjacket FitsStrange BoysThe StrokesSubway Sect[22]

The SundaysSuper Furry AnimalsSweet JesusSwell Maps[23]

Television Personalities[24]

They Might Be GiantsThis HeatToiling MidgetsTwo Nice GirlsJames "Blood" UlmerUltramarineTaken by TreesThe Virgin PrunesThe VeilsVenom[6]

WarpaintWeekendLucinda WilliamsVictoria WilliamsThe WoodentopsRobert Wyatt[25]

Young Marble GiantsZounds

Artists