Heartbeat Productions
Encyclopedia
Heartbeat Productions is the parent company of a number of record labels originating from Bristol
, England. Heartbeat Records was formed in 1978, and other labels have been added over the years to cater for specific niche markets or bands: Riot City Records
in 1980, Disorder Records in 1981, FSA Records in 1992 and Trash City Records in 1994.
, caught the attention of Iain McNay of Cherry Red
and they signed a marketing agreement with Heartbeat. The next release was the 12” EP, “This Is Your Life”, from the influential Glaxo Babies
, recorded at Crescent Studios in Bath. A number of other singles were released, however in order to accommodate the large number of bands around at the time they brought out the seminal "Avon Calling
" - The Bristol Compilation LP. Four further LPs were released: 2 by the Glaxo Babies, The Transmitters
and Art Objects
(later to become Blue Aeroplanes) before the label became inactive in 1984. It was revived with the 1997 album release of a 1967 long lost live radio recording (from Stockholm, Sweden) by American 60's psych band The Electric Prunes
.
Cherry Red
in recent years has repackaged tracks and albums from the Heartbeat back catalogue, including previously unreleased songs from the Glaxo Babies
, Art Objects
and The X-Certs.
, however Cherry Red
were not enthusastic, so with Dave Bateman and Shane Baldwin from the band he set up Riot City Records
(they had chosen the name, as Bristol had recently been in the news due to the 1980 St. Pauls riot). The label was intended to release music from a new generation of punk bands that were forming, and it had been Vice Squad's intention to actively select the ones who would record for the label, however due to touring commitments they did not have the time and Simon Edwards soon took over.
In 1982 an American punk compilation album "Hell comes to your House" (Reagan 1) was licensed from Bemisbrain Records USA, and issued on the subsidiary Riot State Records label. In 1985 Chaotic Dischord
released the spoof NOW! album, "NOW! That’s What I Call A Fuckin' Racket (Vol 1)" (GRR 1) on another subsidiary, Not Very Nice Records.
In its relatively short lifespan the label had over 40 releases, selling nearly 250,000 records and was one of the prominent exponents of British punk music, regularly having hits in the UK Indie Chart
.
originally formed in Bristol in 1980. After Riot City Records
declined to sign them, the band launched their own label Disorder Records in 1981, with Heartbeat Records and Riot City boss Simon Edwards. Over a period of 3 years they released three 7" EP’s and one 12" EP, before moving on to local anarchist label Children Of The Revolution Records (COR). A final 12” EP, The Singles Collection, was released in 1984.
. Their first single in 1992 had several limited editions, each with part home made sleeves of differing designs. The first album in 1993 was self-titled, but is sometimes referred to as Rural Psychedelia. Vinyl releases were the preference of the band and the records tended to sell out quickly, due to their cult status. After their third single in 1994 the band joined Domino Records, however, in 1999 they returned to FSA Records issuing the LP “Mirror”, before finally disbanding.
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England. Heartbeat Records was formed in 1978, and other labels have been added over the years to cater for specific niche markets or bands: Riot City Records
Riot City Records
Riot City was a British record label based in Bristol, active between 1980 and 1988, and run by Heartbeat Records boss Simon Edwards along with Dave Bateman and Shane Baldwin from the band Vice Squad...
in 1980, Disorder Records in 1981, FSA Records in 1992 and Trash City Records in 1994.
Heartbeat Records
Heartbeat Records was started in 1978 as a partnership of local musician Simon Edwards and Tony Dodd of Tony’s Record Shop. Simon Edwards recorded and produced the first single, “I don’t want my heart to rule my head” by Social Security, after which Tony Dodd decided to concentrate on his shop and Simon Edwards took over sole control. The label's second single, Europeans by EuropeansEuropeans (band)
Europeans were a New Wave band formed in Bristol, England in 1977. The line-up was Jonathan Cole , Jon Klein , Steve Street and James Cole...
, caught the attention of Iain McNay of Cherry Red
Cherry Red
Cherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
and they signed a marketing agreement with Heartbeat. The next release was the 12” EP, “This Is Your Life”, from the influential Glaxo Babies
Glaxo Babies
Glaxo Babies were a Bristol-based UK post-punk group, formed in late 1977. There were three distinct phases in the bands life and after initially breaking up in 1980, they reformed in 1985, only to finally break-up again in 1990.-First phase:...
, recorded at Crescent Studios in Bath. A number of other singles were released, however in order to accommodate the large number of bands around at the time they brought out the seminal "Avon Calling
Avon Calling
Avon Calling is an album of tracks featuring bands from Bristol, UK, on local record label Heartbeat Records, and was originally released in 1979...
" - The Bristol Compilation LP. Four further LPs were released: 2 by the Glaxo Babies, The Transmitters
The Transmitters (band)
The Transmitters were a British alternative rock band active during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Mixing elements of punk, jazz and psychedelia, the band were critical favourites throughout their lifetime and played support slots for a wide variety of underground and mainstream bands,...
and Art Objects
Art Objects (band)
Art Objects were a Bristol-based postpunk band who later evolved into the Blue Aeroplanes. Between 1978 and 1981 they released two singles and one album.Lineup:Gerard Langley: voiceJonathan J...
(later to become Blue Aeroplanes) before the label became inactive in 1984. It was revived with the 1997 album release of a 1967 long lost live radio recording (from Stockholm, Sweden) by American 60's psych band The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes are an American rock band who first achieved international attention as an experimental psychedelic group in the late 1960s. Their song "Kyrie Eleison" was featured on the soundtrack of Easy Rider...
.
Cherry Red
Cherry Red
Cherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
in recent years has repackaged tracks and albums from the Heartbeat back catalogue, including previously unreleased songs from the Glaxo Babies
Glaxo Babies
Glaxo Babies were a Bristol-based UK post-punk group, formed in late 1977. There were three distinct phases in the bands life and after initially breaking up in 1980, they reformed in 1985, only to finally break-up again in 1990.-First phase:...
, Art Objects
Art Objects (band)
Art Objects were a Bristol-based postpunk band who later evolved into the Blue Aeroplanes. Between 1978 and 1981 they released two singles and one album.Lineup:Gerard Langley: voiceJonathan J...
and The X-Certs.
Riot City Records
Simon Edwards was looking to release records by local punk band Vice SquadVice Squad
Vice Squad is a punk band formed in 1978 in Bristol, England. The band formed from two other local punk bands, The Contingent and TV Brakes. Songwriter and vocalist Beki Bondage was a founding member and is currently with the band, although there was a period of time when the band had a different...
, however Cherry Red
Cherry Red
Cherry Red is a London-based independent record label formed in 1978.-History:Cherry Red grew from the rock promotion company founded in 1971 to promote rock concerts at the Malvern Winter Gardens...
were not enthusastic, so with Dave Bateman and Shane Baldwin from the band he set up Riot City Records
Riot City Records
Riot City was a British record label based in Bristol, active between 1980 and 1988, and run by Heartbeat Records boss Simon Edwards along with Dave Bateman and Shane Baldwin from the band Vice Squad...
(they had chosen the name, as Bristol had recently been in the news due to the 1980 St. Pauls riot). The label was intended to release music from a new generation of punk bands that were forming, and it had been Vice Squad's intention to actively select the ones who would record for the label, however due to touring commitments they did not have the time and Simon Edwards soon took over.
In 1982 an American punk compilation album "Hell comes to your House" (Reagan 1) was licensed from Bemisbrain Records USA, and issued on the subsidiary Riot State Records label. In 1985 Chaotic Dischord
Chaotic Dischord
Chaotic Dischord were a punk rock band from Bristol, England, formed by members of Vice Squad and their road crew in 1981. The band also recorded a one-off EP under the name Sex Aids.-History:...
released the spoof NOW! album, "NOW! That’s What I Call A Fuckin' Racket (Vol 1)" (GRR 1) on another subsidiary, Not Very Nice Records.
In its relatively short lifespan the label had over 40 releases, selling nearly 250,000 records and was one of the prominent exponents of British punk music, regularly having hits in the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
.
Disorder Records
The hardcore noise band DisorderDisorder (band)
Disorder are a hardcore punk band that formed in the Bristol area of the United Kingdom in 1980, and has existed with varying line-ups to this day. Faithful to anarcho-punk ethics, Disorder are a band who aligned with politically-charged punk bands like Crass and Conflict.-History:Disorder formed...
originally formed in Bristol in 1980. After Riot City Records
Riot City Records
Riot City was a British record label based in Bristol, active between 1980 and 1988, and run by Heartbeat Records boss Simon Edwards along with Dave Bateman and Shane Baldwin from the band Vice Squad...
declined to sign them, the band launched their own label Disorder Records in 1981, with Heartbeat Records and Riot City boss Simon Edwards. Over a period of 3 years they released three 7" EP’s and one 12" EP, before moving on to local anarchist label Children Of The Revolution Records (COR). A final 12” EP, The Singles Collection, was released in 1984.
Disorder Releases
| Cat No. | Artist | Title | Date | Configuration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER 1 | Disorder | Complete Disorder EP | 1981 | 7” EP | |
| ORDER 2 | Disorder | Distortion To Deafness | 1981 | 7” single | |
| 12 ORDER 3 | Disorder | Perdition | 1983 | 12” EP | |
| ORDER 4 | Disorder | Mental Disorder EP | 1983 | 7” EP | |
| 12 ORDER 5 | Disorder | The Singles Collection | 1984 | 12” EP | |
FSA Records
Set up in 1992 for the recently formed Bristol band Flying Saucer AttackFlying Saucer Attack
Flying Saucer Attack was an experimental space rock band that formed in Bristol, England in 1992. David Pearce was the core member of the group, and Rachel Brook was a member for most of the band's lifetime....
. Their first single in 1992 had several limited editions, each with part home made sleeves of differing designs. The first album in 1993 was self-titled, but is sometimes referred to as Rural Psychedelia. Vinyl releases were the preference of the band and the records tended to sell out quickly, due to their cult status. After their third single in 1994 the band joined Domino Records, however, in 1999 they returned to FSA Records issuing the LP “Mirror”, before finally disbanding.
FSA Releases
| Cat No. | Artist | Title | Date | Configuration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSA 6 | Flying Saucer Attack | Soaring High/Standing Stones | 1992 | 7” single | |
| FSA 61 | Flying Saucer Attack | Wish/Oceans | 1993 | 7” single | |
| FSA62 | Flying Saucer Attack | Flying Saucer Attack (Rural Psychedelia) | 1993 | LP | |
| FSA 63 | Flying Saucer Attack | Crystal Shade/Distance | 1994 | 7” single | |
| FSA 64 | Flying Saucer Attack | Mirror | 1999 | LP,CD | |
Trash City Records
Trash City was primarily set up in 1994 to issue 7" singles by US garage bands. It only released one record in its first year and in wasn’t until 1996 and the signing of UK band Headcase, that the label issued another record. Three more singles and two albums were to eventually follow.Trash City Releases
| Cat No. | Artist | Title | Date | Configuration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMUT 001 | The Mono Men | Hexed/Skin & Bones ‘65 | 1994 | 7” single | |
| SMUT 002 | Headcase | MTFV Hate Awards/Rave Sucks | 1996 | 7” single | |
| SMUT 003 | Headcase | Once Again/Summertime | 1997 | 7” single | |
| SMUT 004 | Kenisia | Shawn Kemp/Sometimes just don’t know/Indifference | 2000 | 7” single | |
| SMUT 005 | The Merics | Imaginary Girlfriend/Dr Fonseka/Jackie Chan | 2000 | 7” single | |
| SLEEZE 1 | Kenisia | Crash Helmet Hoopla | 2001 | CD Album | |
| SLEEZE 2 | AKO | Find Yourself | 2001 | CD Album | |
Reissues on other labels
Bristol Archive Records are currently providing some of the Heartbeat Records back catalogue tracks for download, through the usual outlets (Amazon, iTunes, etc.).See also
- List of Bands from Bristol
- Culture of BristolCulture of BristolBristol is a city in South West England. As the largest city in the region it is a centre for the arts and sport. The region has a distinct West Country dialect.-Events:...
- Avon CallingAvon CallingAvon Calling is an album of tracks featuring bands from Bristol, UK, on local record label Heartbeat Records, and was originally released in 1979...
- Bristol Archive Records
- the CartelThe Cartel (record distributor)The Cartel, usually known as the Cartel without capitalisation but with the definite article, was a co-operative record distribution organisation in the United Kingdom, set up by a number of small independent record labels to handle their distribution to record shops...
- List of record labels
- List of Record Labels from Bristol
- Bristol Record LabelsBristol record labelsThe city of Bristol, in England, has since the mid 1970’s had a particularly fertile music culture, resulting in not only a great many influential musicians and bands, but also its own sound; Bristol Sound or Trip Hop. Along with the music scene, a number of local record labels also developed, some...
External links
- Heartbeat Productions
- Heartbeat Records at Discogs.com
- Listen to Avon Calling (2005) at last.fm
- Heartbeat Records: Avon Calling
- Heartbeat Records story on YouTube
- Riot City Records story on YouTube
- [ Review of Art Objects album Bagpipe Music from Allmusic]
- FSA Records at Discogs.com
- Heartbeat Records at Bristol Archive Records
- Riot City Records at Bristol Archive Records