Happy Birthday, 4AD

By AndyR on Aug 29 2010, 08:55PM

Record label 4AD is celebrating 30 years since its first release. The influential imprint was formed when Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, who were working behind the counter of a Beggars Banquet record store in London, convinced the boss of the shop's own label to lend them £2000 in order to release some singles culled from the demo tapes of new bands. 4AD would go on to bring us seminal bands as Cocteau Twins and Pixies and in 2008 the Beggars Group (which incorporates Rough Trade, XL and Matador Records) recognised 4AD as their crown jewel and merged several of its other labels into the 4AD fold.

Some reasons to celebrate...

One early signing originated from Melbourne's Caulfield Grammar School. "To see The Birthday Party 'perform' during the early '80s was nothing short of witnessing the very physical extremity of rock 'n' roll, a zenith of sensation taken to the very limits of expression" - Ian Johnston, Live 1981-82 sleeve-notes...

Also hailing from Melbourne, post-punk outfit Dead Can Dance would go on to be one of 4AD's biggest selling acts and their music would grace the soundtracks of everything from Miami Vice to Top Gear, The Mist and Baraka...

4AD had its own iconic house band when Watts-Russell formed This Mortal Coil around Liz Fraser from Cocteau Twins and a revolving cast of 4AD label-mates. They specialised in cover versions of songs that were important to Watts-Russell...

4AD's biggest commercial hit came in 1987 from a fleeting collaboration between two British dance outfits. Despite A.R. Kane and Colourbox failing to get along in the studio their only release won a Grammy and became a "one hit wonder of rare influence"...

Pixies' 1988 debut Surfer Rosa failed to chart in either the US or UK ("Gigantic", below, was the only single) but the album would later be cited as hugely influential by the likes of PJ Harvey and Nirvana. The Boston band, who were signed at the insistence of Russell-Watts' girlfriend, would also go on to become 4AD's biggest overall sellers...