We are thrilled to announce that Radiation Records based in Italy have licenced four of our releases for re-release via their label in 2022 on Vinyl.>

1. The Cortinas – ‘Defiant Pose’ (Singles and Demos 1977/78)
Bristol punk quintet the Cortinas began as an R&B covers band, but soon sped up their repertoire when punk arrived, making them local pioneers. A slot supporting the Stranglers at the Roxy brought them onto Miles Copeland and Mark Perry’s Step Forward label and they later signed to CBS before imploding, guitarist Nick Sheppard then joining the Clash and drummer Daniel Swann San Francisco’s the Sneeches. This ace compilation gathers the best of their early work, including the immortal debut ‘Fascist Dictator’/‘Defiant Pose,’ as well as ‘TV Personalities,’ both in the studio and live. Another crucial piece of the Bristol puzzle!
Pre-Order link = https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/the-cortinas/defiant-pose-singles-and-demos-1977-78 (Released 11th February 2022)>

2. The Fans – ‘We Don’t Live Here Any More’ – previously licenced out to the Japanese label 1977
Enigmatic power-pop quartet the Fans formed in l978, spurred into action by the Bristol area’s vibrant new wave scene. Singer / guitarist George Smith previously fronted the Dragons (with future Tom Robinson collaborator Jo Burt) and guitarist Rob Williams was in Uncle Po (with future Dexy’s violinist Helen Bevington); they split after two singles for Fried Egg, but regrouped in 2OlO following a Japanese hit cover of their dejected You Don’t Live Here Anymore. This dynamite collection joins the Fried Egg work with rare demos and live recordings, the definitive picture of one of Avon’s most impressive new wave guitar bands.
Pre-Order link = https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/fans/you-don-t-live-here-anymore (Released 4th February 2022)>

3. The Numbers – ‘Alternative Suicide’ – previously a digital only release
Bristol new wave quartet the Numbers formed in 1977 with vocalist / rhythm guitarist Nick McAuley, bassist Wayne Kingston, drummer Lee Gardener and future Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini. Heavily influenced by Bowie’s Berlin trilogy, early recordings surfaced on compilations issued by the local Heartbeat label in 1979, namely the power- punk-pop ‘Alternative Suicide’ on 4 Alternatives and the funked-up ‘Cross Slide’ on Avon Calling. This excellent compilation pairs those songs with unreleased demos, giving us the complete picture of a band far ahead of their time, with Bruschini already on dazzling form.
Pre-Order link = https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/the-numbers/alternative-suicide (Released Jan 28th)>

If you want coloured vinyl then visit Radiation Records web site = https://shop.radiationrecords.net/>

The Rhythmites album ‘Integration’ will follow in the spring – release date to be set>

Bristol Archive Records have ventured into a ‘Non Exclusive’ partnership deal with the London based indie Cherry Red Records.>

Cherry Red specialise in Box Set compilations and our catalogue is ideal for them to find and licence rare, ofton undiscovered gems from the punk and post punk era in particular.>

Here’s what Cherry Red’s head of catalogue said about us………>

Bristol Boys Make More Noise
We now represent the Bristol Archive catalogue, which contains around 5,000 tracks in total.

This collection is based on recordings from the Bristol area (mostly from the late 70s onwards) with the aim of showcasing music from the diverse local scenes and providing the historical context of all things Bristol that should never be forgotten.

The artists include The Cortinas, Talisman, Me and many (many!) more.>

This week we lost Big John Mclean, he suffered a heart attack at 58 years old – regretably he didn’t make it through.
John was the front man, singer of The Crazy Trains, The Bones, The Bad Losers.>

John was a fantastic graphic designer; Bristol Archive Records used his skills on one of our first releases by Apache Dropout.

John was cool as fuck – RIP Big Man.>

Last week we lost Orville Marrett aka Bunny Redz Marrett to cancer.
Bunny was a product of the Bamboo Club having arrived in Bristol via Wolverhampton, London and then back to Wolverhampton for a short while.>

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica he travelled to England to be with his parents in 1958.
Whilst in Bristol he became recognised as an actor, poet, musician and songwriter – character around St.Pauls.
Bunny recording one 12″ single for Shoc Wave Records in the late 70′s ‘Times are Getting Harder’>

His finest work was recorded in 1983 with The Startled Insects, Bristol Archive Records released the material on LP and CD in 2012 – a fantastic piece of work, a fusion of roots reggae and jazz.
Bunny wrote the legendary Bristol anthem ‘Bristol Rock’ recorded and released originally by Black Roots in the late 70′s along with another of his songs ‘The System’.
Bunny will be missed by everyone that knew him…………’Cheers Me Old Fruit’
Here’s a link to an interview we did with Bunny – http://www.bristolarchiverecords.com/people/people_Bunny_Marrett.html.>

Photo credit = Alex Cater