Meltdown Records

Meltdown Records was an independent record label established in Palmerston North, New Zealand, during the mid-1980s. It operated for approximately four years, from 1985 until 1989, and was owned by Peter Shepherd, then a Massey University student. The label also received part funding from the Massey University Students Association, linking its activity to the university’s student and local music communities. The label’s identity was closely associated with bands connected with Massey University and Palmerston North. It was described as being steered by Dosage B, the Mannequins and the Remarkables. These groups formed part of a local network of performers, student organisers and independent recording enthusiasts rather than a large commercial music business. Meltdown’s first recording was by Dosage B, a band led by Jeremy Corbett, who later became a prominent New Zealand radio broadcaster. Across its four years, Meltdown released ten records. Its catalogue included an EP by the Remarkables and the album Fun in the Key of E by Three Leaning Men. Both groups were early projects associated with New Zealand musician Alan Gregg. The label also issued an EP by the Pterodactyls, whose lineup included former Chills member Martin Kean. National Library of New Zealand information additionally identifies Meltdown recordings involving Thin Red Line, Cement Garden, the End, Iceland Bars, Polar Bears, Swiss Kids, Statmux, Harry Death and Coloured Talk. Meltdown’s activities extended beyond releasing records. In 1986, the label appeared on the television programme Video Dispatch, giving it national exposure within New Zealand’s music-media environment. In March 1987, it organised the Rheineck Rock Festival at the Palmerston North Showgrounds in association with Radio 92.2XS Stereo FM. The festival demonstrated the label’s role as a local music organiser and promoter as well as a record issuer. The business encountered severe production problems after EMI closed its New Zealand operation in 1987. Without access to affordable local pressing arrangements, the cost of producing a record reportedly rose to about $20 per unit while records retailed for approximately $8. That cost structure made continued production commercially unsustainable. Meltdown’s final release was Melter Smelter in 1989, after which the label ceased production. Its importance lies less in scale than in documenting the independent music culture of Palmerston North and the contribution of university-linked labels to New Zealand’s 1980s alternative music history.

Meltdown Records emerged in Palmerston North in 1985 as a small independent label connected to Massey University. It was owned by Peter Shepherd, who was then a Massey University student, and was partly funded by the Massey University Students Association. The label’s operating model reflected the practical conditions of New Zealand’s independent music scene: recordings were developed through local bands, university networks and community support rather than through a major-label infrastructure. The label was closely associated with several Massey University-based acts, particularly Dosage B, the Mannequins and the Remarkables. These bands helped shape its repertoire and local identity. Dosage B supplied Meltdown’s first recording and was led by Jeremy Corbett, who later became known as a New Zealand radio host. The catalogue subsequently expanded to include the Remarkables’ EP and Three Leaning Men’s album Fun in the Key of E. Both acts were early bands connected with musician Alan Gregg. Meltdown also released an EP by the Pterodactyls, a group featuring former Chills member Martin Kean. Information held by the National Library of New Zealand identifies further Meltdown recordings involving Thin Red Line, Cement Garden, the End, Iceland Bars, Polar Bears, Swiss Kids, Statmux, Harry Death and Coloured Talk. In total, the label released ten records during its four-year existence. Although modest in output, this catalogue recorded a broad slice of the local and student-oriented music activity surrounding Palmerston North in the 1980s. Meltdown also acted as a promoter and cultural organiser. Its appearance on the television programme Video Dispatch in 1986 provided exposure beyond its immediate local base. In March 1987, the label organised the Rheineck Rock Festival at the Palmerston North Showgrounds in association with Radio 92.2XS Stereo FM. These activities indicate that the label’s role extended beyond releasing physical products: it helped create performance opportunities and connect local musicians with radio and public audiences. The label’s later history was dominated by changes in New Zealand’s record-manufacturing infrastructure. EMI closed its New Zealand operation in 1987, making it difficult for Meltdown to obtain records pressed at an affordable price. Production costs reportedly reached about $20 per record while the retail price was approximately $8. The resulting loss on each unit made the label’s release model unsustainable. Meltdown’s final production was Melter Smelter in 1989, after which the label ceased operating. The label is therefore best understood as a historically significant small independent imprint rather than an ongoing commercial company.

• 1989

  Production ends

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Following the release of Melter Smelter, Meltdown Records ceased production.

• 1987

  Rheineck Rock Festival organised

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label ran the Rheineck Rock Festival at the Palmerston North Showgrounds with Radio 92.2XS Stereo FM.

• 1987

  Record pressing crisis begins

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The closure of EMI’s New Zealand operation sharply increased the cost of pressing Meltdown releases.

• 1986

  Television appearance on Video Dispatch

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Meltdown Records was featured on the New Zealand television programme Video Dispatch.

• 1985

  Label established in Palmerston North

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Meltdown Records began operating in Palmerston North with ownership by Massey University student Peter Shepherd and partial support from the Massey University Students Association.

• 1985

  First recording released

  [1]Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label’s first recording was by Dosage B, led by Jeremy Corbett.

A university-linked, locally focused independent record label supporting emerging New Zealand bands and alternative music activity in Palmerston North during the 1980s.

• Single or recording · 1985

  Dosage B recordings

  Dosage B supplied Meltdown Records’ first recording. The band was led by Jeremy Corbett and represented the label’s early connection with the Massey University and Palmerston North music community.

• Extended play

  The Remarkables EP

  An EP by the Remarkables formed part of Meltdown’s catalogue. The group was associated with the university-linked local scene that provided much of the label’s artistic identity.

• Album

  Fun in the Key of E

  Fun in the Key of E was an album by Three Leaning Men released through Meltdown Records. Three Leaning Men was an early band associated with New Zealand musician Alan Gregg.

• Extended play

  The Pterodactyls EP

  Meltdown issued an EP by the Pterodactyls, a group that included former Chills member Martin Kean. It illustrates the label’s connection to musicians active in New Zealand’s independent scene.

• Record release · 1989

  Melter Smelter

  Melter Smelter was the final release associated with Meltdown Records. After its production in 1989, the label stopped producing records.

• Record catalogue

  Additional local-band releases

  National Library of New Zealand information also associates Meltdown with recordings by Thin Red Line, Cement Garden, the End, Iceland Bars, Polar Bears, Swiss Kids, Statmux, Harry Death and Coloured Talk. The label released ten records in total.

• 1987Rheineck Rock Festival

  Palmerston North · New Zealand

  Meltdown Records organised and ran the Rheineck Rock Festival at the Palmerston North Showgrounds in March 1987 in conjunction with Radio 92.2XS Stereo FM.

  Outcome. The event expanded the label’s role from record production into live music promotion, although a longer-term commercial outcome is not documented.

  Source

• 1989

  End production after manufacturing costs became unsustainableStrategy

  Background

  After EMI closed its New Zealand operation in 1987, pressing costs reportedly rose to around $20 per record while retail prices were about $8.

  Action taken

  Meltdown completed its final release, Melter Smelter, and ceased production in 1989.

  Aftermath

  The label became defunct after approximately four years of operation.

  Reported production cost and retail price per record. Approximately $20 production cost versus approximately $8 retail price (After the 1987 closure of EMI New Zealand)

  Source

1. 1Meltdown Recordsen.wikipedia.org