Rough Trade Record Label

Seeing as the brief stated that we had to come up with a band and a Record label, I have decided to research into Rough Trade Records - an independent record label that was founded in West London in 1976 by Geoff Travis.

This niche label was made bankrupt in 1991, however relaunched in 2000. Rough Trade specialised in promoting European Post-Punk and Alternative bands throughout the 70s and 80s, and decided to branch out and sign up Lucinda Williams in the late 1980s - an American rock, folk and country singer.

Founder, Geoff Travis also started up another Music Label called Blanco y Negro who signed up diverse artists such Everything But The Girl (an Electronica, pop and dance driven band)and The Veils (an Indie band). This
record label later joined partnership with Warner Brothers, which helped to make them more mainstream.

Prior to their bankrupty, Rough Trade was an independent label, however were bought out by BMG, a leading mainstream label.
Since their rebirth, Rough Trade have signed up chart-selling bands such as The Strokes, Babyshambles and The Libertines.


The takeover by BMG, helped transform Rough Trade into a more mainstream Record Label, which in turn increased thier profile and their sales. Now they have a selection of the finest bands to come into the Music Industry for a long time. They have also signed up bands from across the world, including America, New Zealand and of course England.

Artists such as Maximo Park, Super Furry Animals, The Smiths and The Long Blondes are all signed up to Rough Trade Records.