Riot City Records
Encyclopedia
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
. Vice Squad's Last Rockers EP was Riot City's first release - it reached number 1 in the UK Alternative Chart and sold 22,000 copies.
The label released dozens of singles, albums, and EP
s by bands including Chaotic Dischord
, The Ejected
, Chaos UK
, and Abrasive Wheels
, selling over 200,000 records in total.
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.
Riot City received its share of criticism, with journalist Garry Bushell
describing the label as "the dustbin of punk", and members of Crass
accusing the label of being the "back door to EMI
" (Vice Squad had gone on to sign with EMI).
Riot City folded in the late-1980s and label boss Edwards continued with his job as a route planner with the AA
. In 1994 he returned to the music industry as head of Trash City Records
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Bristol
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...
, 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
Vice 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...
. Vice Squad's Last Rockers EP was Riot City's first release - it reached number 1 in the UK Alternative Chart and sold 22,000 copies.
The label released dozens of singles, albums, and EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s by bands including 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:...
, The Ejected
The Ejected
The Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
, Chaos UK
Chaos UK
Chaos UK are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1979 in Portishead, near Bristol. They played fast aggressive hardcore punk rock initially. The original line up of Simon on vocals, Andy on guitar, Chaos on bass and Potts on drums recorded two EP's and a full LP for Riot City Record...
, and Abrasive Wheels
Abrasive Wheels
Abrasive Wheels were a punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna Rzonca - vocals, Dave Ryan - guitar, Harry Harrison - bass, Nev Nevison - drums...
, selling over 200,000 records in total.
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.
Riot City received its share of criticism, with journalist Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell
Garry Bushell is an English newspaper columnist, rock music journalist, television presenter, author and political activist. Bushell also sings in the Oi! band The Gonads and manages the New York City Oi! band Maninblack. Bushell's recurring themes are comedy, country and class...
describing the label as "the dustbin of punk", and members of Crass
Crass
Crass are an English punk rock band that was formed in 1977, which promoted anarchism as a political ideology, way of living, and as a resistance movement. Crass popularised the seminal anarcho-punk movement of the punk subculture, and advocated direct action, animal rights, and environmentalism...
accusing the label of being the "back door to EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
" (Vice Squad had gone on to sign with EMI).
Riot City folded in the late-1980s and label boss Edwards continued with his job as a route planner with the AA
The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
. In 1994 he returned to the music industry as head of Trash City Records
Heartbeat Productions
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...
.
Albums
- ASSEMBLY 1 V/A - Riotous Assembly LP (10,000 copies, red vinyl)
- CITY 001 Abrasive WheelsAbrasive WheelsAbrasive Wheels were a punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna Rzonca - vocals, Dave Ryan - guitar, Harry Harrison - bass, Nev Nevison - drums...
- When The Punks Go Marching In LP - CITY 002 Chaos UKChaos UKChaos UK are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1979 in Portishead, near Bristol. They played fast aggressive hardcore punk rock initially. The original line up of Simon on vocals, Andy on guitar, Chaos on bass and Potts on drums recorded two EP's and a full LP for Riot City Record...
- Chaos UK LP - CITY 003 The EjectedThe EjectedThe Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
- A Touch Of Class LP - CITY 004 Chaotic DischordChaotic DischordChaotic 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:...
- Fuck Religion, Fuck Politics, Fuck The Lot Of You! LP - CITY 005 Varukers - Bloodsuckers LP
- CITY 006 Undead - The Killing Of Reality LP
- CITY 007 The EjectedThe EjectedThe Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
- Spirit Of Rebellion LP - CITY 008 Chaotic DischordChaotic DischordChaotic 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:...
- Live in New York LP
Singles
- RIOT 1 Vice SquadVice SquadVice 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...
- Last Rockers / Living On Dreams / Latex Love 7" - RIOT 2 Vice SquadVice SquadVice 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...
- Resurrection EP 7" - RIOT 3 The Insane - Politics / Dead And Gone / Last Day 7"
- RIOT 4 Abrasive WheelsAbrasive WheelsAbrasive Wheels were a punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna Rzonca - vocals, Dave Ryan - guitar, Harry Harrison - bass, Nev Nevison - drums...
- Vicious Circle / Attack / Voice Of Youth 7" - RIOT 5 Court Martial - Gotta Get Out / Fight For Your Life / Young Offender 7"
- RIOT 6 Chaos UKChaos UKChaos UK are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1979 in Portishead, near Bristol. They played fast aggressive hardcore punk rock initially. The original line up of Simon on vocals, Andy on guitar, Chaos on bass and Potts on drums recorded two EP's and a full LP for Riot City Record...
- Burning Britain EP 7" (4 track EP) - RIOT 7 Undead - It's Corruption / Undead 7"
- RIOT 8 Expelled - No Life, No Future / What Justice / Dreaming 7"
- RIOT 9 Abrasive WheelsAbrasive WheelsAbrasive Wheels were a punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna Rzonca - vocals, Dave Ryan - guitar, Harry Harrison - bass, Nev Nevison - drums...
- The Army Song / Juvenile / So Slow 7" (Red vinyl) - RIOT 10 Chaotic DischordChaotic DischordChaotic 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:...
- Fuck The World / You're Gonna Die / Sold Out To The GPO 7" - RIOT 11 Court Martial - No Solution / Too Late / Take Control 7"
- RIOT 12 Chaos UKChaos UKChaos UK are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1979 in Portishead, near Bristol. They played fast aggressive hardcore punk rock initially. The original line up of Simon on vocals, Andy on guitar, Chaos on bass and Potts on drums recorded two EP's and a full LP for Riot City Record...
- Loud Political And Uncompromising EP 7" (3 track EP) - RIOT 13 Mayhem - Gentle Murder EP 7" 4 track EP
- RIOT 14 The EjectedThe EjectedThe Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
- Have You Got 10p? / Class Of 82 / One Of The Boys 7" - RIOT 15 Undead - Violent Visions 7"
- RIOT 16 Abrasive WheelsAbrasive WheelsAbrasive Wheels were a punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna Rzonca - vocals, Dave Ryan - guitar, Harry Harrison - bass, Nev Nevison - drums...
- Burn 'Em Down / Urban Rebels 7" - RIOT 17 Expelled - Government Policy / Make It Alone 7"
- RIOT 18 Resistance 77 - Nowhere To Play EP 7" (4 track EP)
- RIOT 19 The EjectedThe EjectedThe Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
- Noise For The Boys! EP 7" (3 track EP) - RIOT 20 No Choice - Sadist Dream / Cream Of The Crop / Nuclear Disaster 7"
- RIOT 21 Emergency - Points Of View / City Fun / Does Anybody Realise? 7"
- RIOT 22 Chaotic DischordChaotic DischordChaotic 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:...
- Never Trust A Friend / Are Students Safe? / Popstars 7" - RIOT 23 Sex Aids - Back On The Piss Again / The Amazing Mr Michael Hogarth / We Are The Road Crew 7"
- RIOT 24 Mayhem - Pulling Puppet Strings EP 7" (3 track EP)
- RIOT 25 Ultra Violent - Crime For Revenge / Where Angels Dare Not Tread / Dead Generation 7"
- RIOT 26 Underdogs - East Of Dachau / Johnny Go Home / Dead Soldier 7"
- RIOT 27 Varukers - Die For Your Government / All Systems Fail 7"
- RIOT 28 The EjectedThe EjectedThe Ejected were an English punk rock/oi! band from Dagenham, Essex, active between 1981 and 1983.-History:The band was formed by ex-Dawn Patrol members Big Jim Brooks , Gary Sandford and drummer Mick 'Sticks' Robinson.They cited UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts and The Clash as major...
- Press The Button EP 7" (3 track EP) - RIOT 29 Varukers - Led To The Slaughter / The End Is Nigh / You're Dead 7"
- 12 RIOT 1/2 Vice SquadVice SquadVice 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...
- Special Edition Tour EP 12" (6 track EP) - 12 RIOT 30 Chaotic DischordChaotic DischordChaotic 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:...
- Don't Throw It All Away 12" (8 track mini-LPMini-LPA Mini-LP or Mini-album is a short album, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered "full-length".-History:...
) - 12 RIOT 31 Varukers - Another Religion Another War 12" (8 track mini-lp)
- 12 RIOT 32 Chaos UKChaos UKChaos UK are an English hardcore punk band formed in 1979 in Portishead, near Bristol. They played fast aggressive hardcore punk rock initially. The original line up of Simon on vocals, Andy on guitar, Chaos on bass and Potts on drums recorded two EP's and a full LP for Riot City Record...
- The Singles 12" (8 track mini-lp)
See also
- List of record labels
- List of bands from Bristol
- List of record labels from Bristol
- 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...
- Heartbeat ProductionsHeartbeat ProductionsHeartbeat 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...