Chemikal Underground
Encyclopedia
Chemikal Underground is an independent record label
set up in 1994
by Glasgow
, Scotland
rock band The Delgados
. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties.
When the second Chemikal Underground single by popsters Bis
, The Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP was hugely successful, earning them a slot on Top of the Pops
, the label was able to expand. To date, The Secret Vampire Soundtrack is the only Top 40 hit released on Chemikal Underground. Further success followed in the shape of the debut albums by Mogwai
and Arab Strap
. Other bands on the Chemikal Underground roster include Magoo
, Aereogramme
, Cha Cha Cohen
, Sluts of Trust
, Suckle
, the Radar Brothers
and more recently Mother and the Addicts
and De Rosa
, as well as Arab Strap member Malcolm Middleton
's solo work. In 2000
they launched Fukd ID
to release limited edition (1000 each of cd and 12") singles by bands not necessarily on their roster, such as Interpol
(Fukd ID #3).
states that:
While Rick Anthony, of The Phantom Band
, notes that:
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
set up in 1994
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
by Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
rock band The Delgados
The Delgados
The Delgados were a Scottish indie rock band from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The band was composed of Alun Woodward , Stewart Henderson , Paul Savage and Emma Pollock .-Biography:...
. It was set up to release their first single, "Monica Webster" / "Brand New Car" and went on to break many new Scottish bands in the nineties.
When the second Chemikal Underground single by popsters Bis
Bis (band)
Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark , John Clark , and Amanda MacKinnon . Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.-History:...
, The Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP was hugely successful, earning them a slot on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, the label was able to expand. To date, The Secret Vampire Soundtrack is the only Top 40 hit released on Chemikal Underground. Further success followed in the shape of the debut albums by Mogwai
Mogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
and Arab Strap
Arab Strap (band)
Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
. Other bands on the Chemikal Underground roster include Magoo
Magoo (band)
Magoo are an indie rock band who formed in Norfolk, England in 1992.-Biography:The band give their influences as Guided by Voices, Stereolab, Pavement, The Flaming Lips, and John Peel, and spent their early years playing local venues in the Norwich area....
, Aereogramme
Aereogramme
Aereogramme were a Scottish alternative/post-rock rock band from Glasgow, consisting of Craig B. , Iain Cook , Campbell McNeil and Martin Scott...
, Cha Cha Cohen
Cha Cha Cohen
Cha Cha Cohen were a band formed in 1994 by three members of The Wedding Present — Keith Gregory, Paul Dorrington and Simon Smith. After recruiting singer Jacqui Cohen from The Dustdevils they released a single, "Sparky's Note", on Hemiola Records....
, Sluts of Trust
Sluts of Trust
Sluts of Trust are a two-piece rock outfit from Glasgow, Scotland, originally comprising John McFarlane and Anthony O'Donnell . O'Donnell was later replaced on drums by Roo Harris.-Early career:...
, Suckle
Suckle (band)
Suckle were an indie pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland in the mid-1990s by former Vaselines member Frances McKee, along with her sister and co-vocalist in the group Marie McKee and another former Vaselines member James Seenan...
, the Radar Brothers
Radar Bros.
The Radar Bros. are an indie rock band from Los Angeles, CA currently consisting of Jim Putnam , Be Hussey and Stevie Treichel and joined by Dan Iead , and Ethan Walter in the studio and on recent tours. The band's original members were Jim Putnam, Senon Williams and Steve Goodfriend...
and more recently Mother and the Addicts
Mother and the Addicts
Mother and The Addicts were a Glasgow-based band signed to Chemikal Underground Records. Formed in 2003. They have released two albums.-History:...
and De Rosa
De Rosa (band)
De Rosa was a Scottish rock band from Bellshill. Its components were Martin Henry , Chris Connick , James Woodside , Neil Woodside and Andrew Bush...
, as well as Arab Strap member Malcolm Middleton
Malcolm Middleton
Malcolm Bruce Middleton is a Scottish musician best known for his work with Aidan Moffat in post-folk indie band Arab Strap as well as his solo career writing and producing...
's solo work. In 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
they launched Fukd ID
Fukd ID
Fukd ID is the name of an imprint on the Chemikal Underground record label, established to allow them to release a wider range of musical styles from artists who might not necessarily be signed to the label...
to release limited edition (1000 each of cd and 12") singles by bands not necessarily on their roster, such as Interpol
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
(Fukd ID #3).
Artists
- Adrian CrowleyAdrian CrowleyAdrian Crowley is a singer–songwriter from Galway but based in Dublin. Despite being born in Sliema, Malta, much of his success has come in Ireland....
- AereogrammeAereogrammeAereogramme were a Scottish alternative/post-rock rock band from Glasgow, consisting of Craig B. , Iain Cook , Campbell McNeil and Martin Scott...
- Aidan MoffatAidan MoffatAidan John Moffat is a Scottish vocalist and musician, best known for his work with Malcolm Middleton in Arab Strap.-Early life:...
- Aloha Hawaii
- Angil & the Hidden Tracks
- Arab StrapArab Strap (band)Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
- BisBis (band)Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark , John Clark , and Amanda MacKinnon . Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.-History:...
- Cha Cha CohenCha Cha CohenCha Cha Cohen were a band formed in 1994 by three members of The Wedding Present — Keith Gregory, Paul Dorrington and Simon Smith. After recruiting singer Jacqui Cohen from The Dustdevils they released a single, "Sparky's Note", on Hemiola Records....
- De RosaDe Rosa (band)De Rosa was a Scottish rock band from Bellshill. Its components were Martin Henry , Chris Connick , James Woodside , Neil Woodside and Andrew Bush...
- The DelgadosThe DelgadosThe Delgados were a Scottish indie rock band from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The band was composed of Alun Woodward , Stewart Henderson , Paul Savage and Emma Pollock .-Biography:...
- MagooMagoo (band)Magoo are an indie rock band who formed in Norfolk, England in 1992.-Biography:The band give their influences as Guided by Voices, Stereolab, Pavement, The Flaming Lips, and John Peel, and spent their early years playing local venues in the Norwich area....
- Malcolm MiddletonMalcolm MiddletonMalcolm Bruce Middleton is a Scottish musician best known for his work with Aidan Moffat in post-folk indie band Arab Strap as well as his solo career writing and producing...
- MogwaiMogwai (band)Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite , John Cummings , Barry Burns , Dominic Aitchison , and Martin Bulloch...
- Mother and the AddictsMother and the AddictsMother and The Addicts were a Glasgow-based band signed to Chemikal Underground Records. Formed in 2003. They have released two albums.-History:...
- Mount Wilson Repeater
- The Phantom BandThe Phantom BandThe Phantom Band is a Glasgow-based band consisting of Duncan Marquiss , Gerry Hart , Andy Wake , Rick Anthony , Iain Stewart and Greg Sinclair . They are often generally described as indie-rock but are known to utilize a variety of genres and styles...
- The Radar Brothers
- Sister Vanilla
- Sluts of TrustSluts of TrustSluts of Trust are a two-piece rock outfit from Glasgow, Scotland, originally comprising John McFarlane and Anthony O'Donnell . O'Donnell was later replaced on drums by Roo Harris.-Early career:...
- Suckle
- The Unwinding HoursThe Unwinding HoursThe Unwinding Hours is a Scottish alternative rock band formed in 2008 by former Aereogramme members Craig B. and Iain Cook. The band released their debut album, The Unwinding Hours , on February 15, 2010....
- Zoey Van GoeyZoey Van GoeyZoey Van Goey are an indie pop band from Glasgow, Scotland, made up of Matt Brennan, Michael John McCarthy, Kim Moore and Adam Scott. Brennan, McCarthy and Moore, hailing from Canada, Ireland and England respectively, formed the initial trio in Glasgow in 2006, with Scott becoming a full-fledged...
Artist's opinions
Chris Connick from De RosaDe Rosa (band)
De Rosa was a Scottish rock band from Bellshill. Its components were Martin Henry , Chris Connick , James Woodside , Neil Woodside and Andrew Bush...
states that:
Chemikal Underground were a huge influence on my musical tastes when I was growing up. It was really exciting to hear bands such as MogwaiMogwai (band)Mogwai are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite , John Cummings , Barry Burns , Dominic Aitchison , and Martin Bulloch...
, The DelgadosThe DelgadosThe Delgados were a Scottish indie rock band from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The band was composed of Alun Woodward , Stewart Henderson , Paul Savage and Emma Pollock .-Biography:...
and Arab StrapArab Strap (band)Arab Strap were an indie rock band from Scotland that consisted of core members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton. The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, and split in 2006...
, all guys who grew up in the same place as myself, write such amazing music, get played on the radio etc, and do it all off their own back. I hugely admire the members of The Delgados for starting Chemikal and affecting Scottish musical culture in such a positive manner. In fact, it was probably The Delgados that made me want to be in a band, so to have them as your ”boss” is a uniquely warm feeling. To even be considered in the same category as any of the label’s bands is a total honour and I am very proud to be linked to Chemikal Underground’s esteemed heritage.
While Rick Anthony, of The Phantom Band
The Phantom Band
The Phantom Band is a Glasgow-based band consisting of Duncan Marquiss , Gerry Hart , Andy Wake , Rick Anthony , Iain Stewart and Greg Sinclair . They are often generally described as indie-rock but are known to utilize a variety of genres and styles...
, notes that:
Chemikal Underground have been really pretty good to us so far and they have released some great records over the years - which makes you feel like they know what they are doing, and that they are in it for the right reasons. They all seem like good people as well, and they don’t meddle in the creative side of things at all.