Do It Records
Encyclopedia
Do It Records was an independent record label
in London
. It is best known for having been an early label of Adam and the Ants
, releasing their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox
in November 1979 (which in January 1980 was the first ever Number One on the UK Independent Albums Chart
and in February 1981 became a UK Top 20 album) as well as singles Zerox in June 1979 and Cartrouble in March 1980, the latter being not only a Number One on the UK Independent Singles Chart
but also the debut collaboration between Adam Ant
and Marco Pirroni
following the departure of the original Ants to form Bow Wow Wow
.
The company was started in 1978 by Robin Scott
, Max Tregoning and Ian Tregoning. Over the next six years, they released several recordings by M
, Adam and the Ants
, Anthony Moore
and Yello
. After closing in 1983, the rights to the label's entire back catalogue were bought out by CBS
, Adam Ant's then-current label, to secure permanent control of the Ants' recording history with Do It. The back catalogue is now owned by Sony Music Entertainment
who bought out CBS in 1987.
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:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is best known for having been an early label of Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
, releasing their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox
Dirk Wears White Sox
Dirk Wears White Sox is Adam and the Ants' first album, released on Do It Records in 1979, before Adam went on to fame with "Kings of the Wild Frontier." Dirk Wears White Sox features a much more eclectic, sometimes brooding sound than Ant's later work...
in November 1979 (which in January 1980 was the first ever Number One on the UK Independent Albums 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...
and in February 1981 became a UK Top 20 album) as well as singles Zerox in June 1979 and Cartrouble in March 1980, the latter being not only a Number One on the UK Independent Singles 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...
but also the debut collaboration between Adam Ant
Adam Ant
Adam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
and Marco Pirroni
Marco Pirroni
Marco Francesco Andrea Pirroni is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer...
following the departure of the original Ants to form Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow
Bow Wow Wow were an English 1980s New Wave band created by Malcolm McLaren to promote his and business partner Vivienne Westwood's New Romantic fashion lines.The group's music is described as having an "African-derived drum sound".-History:...
.
The company was started in 1978 by Robin Scott
Robin Scott
Robin Scott , lead singer and founder of a music project he called M, is a singer originally from the United Kingdom. His career encompasses four decades.-Early life:...
, Max Tregoning and Ian Tregoning. Over the next six years, they released several recordings by M
Robin Scott
Robin Scott , lead singer and founder of a music project he called M, is a singer originally from the United Kingdom. His career encompasses four decades.-Early life:...
, Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
, Anthony Moore
Anthony Moore
Anthony Moore is a British experimental music composer, performer and producer. He was a founding member of the band Slapp Happy, worked with Henry Cow and has made a number of solo albums, including Flying Doesn't Help and World Service .As a lyricist, Moore has collaborated with Pink Floyd on...
and Yello
Yello
Yello is a Swiss electronica band consisting of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank. They are probably best known for their singles "The Race" and "Oh Yeah", which feature a mix of electronic music and manipulated vocals, as does most of their music....
. After closing in 1983, the rights to the label's entire back catalogue were bought out by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, Adam Ant's then-current label, to secure permanent control of the Ants' recording history with Do It. The back catalogue is now owned by Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
who bought out CBS in 1987.