Radar Records

Radar Records was a United Kingdom-based independent record label established in late 1977 by Martin Davis and Andrew Lauder. Davis became the label's managing director after working at United Artists Records, while Lauder brought extensive A&R experience from the British divisions of Liberty Records and United Artists. Radar began issuing records in early 1978 and quickly became associated with a distinctive roster that connected punk, new wave, post-punk, art rock, rockabilly, and archival garage and psychedelic rock. The label's first release was Nick Lowe's single "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" backed with "They Called It Rock," followed by Lowe's album Jesus of Cool. Lowe was one of several Radar artists with earlier ties to Stiff Records. Elvis Costello and the Attractions, another major Radar act, also arrived through manager Jake Riviera, who had co-founded Stiff and later worked with Davis and Lauder. Lowe and Costello became the label's most commercially important artists, although both moved to F-Beat Records in 1980, a label established by Lauder and Riviera. Radar operated internationally through distribution by WEA Records, now associated with Warner Music Group. In the United States, selected artists—including the Inmates, Bram Tchaikovsky, and Yachts—were handled through a licensing arrangement with Polydor Records. This network allowed Radar to operate as a relatively adventurous British label while reaching audiences beyond its domestic market. Its roster included the Pop Group, Pere Ubu, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Yachts, 999, the Soft Boys, Visage, Wayne Kramer, Loudon Wainwright III, La Düsseldorf, Clive Langer and the Boxes, Bette Bright and the Illuminations, Tanz Der Youth, and Métal Urbain. Radar also licensed recordings from independent American labels, including releases associated with Iggy Pop and James Williamson, National Lampoon, the Good Rats, and Pezband. Through arrangements with Rollin' Rock Records, it issued new work by rockabilly performers Ray Campi and Mac Curtis. The label also used its WEA relationships to reissue older music. Its catalogue activity included material by the Shadows of Knight, the Electric Prunes, and artists connected with the International Artists catalogue, such as the 13th Floor Elevators, the Lost & Found, and the Red Krayola. Radar further released new late-1970s recordings by the Red Krayola, including the single "Wives in Orbit" and the album Soldier-Talk. The original Radar operation issued its final release in 1981. The name was later revived for a second roster active between 1995 and 1998, with acts including Midget, Prolapse, Acacia, Morning Glories, Heave, Unsophisticates, and Pure Morning, an early form of Clinic. Radar is therefore best understood as a historically significant British independent label whose importance rests less on longevity than on the breadth and influence of its artist roster and catalogue.

Radar Records emerged in late 1977 during a period when British independent labels were becoming important vehicles for punk, new wave, and experimental rock. The company was formed by Martin Davis, who had been managing director at United Artists Records, and Andrew Lauder, formerly head of A&R at the British divisions of Liberty Records and United Artists. Their combined experience gave Radar both corporate-record-business knowledge and specialist A&R credibility. The label began releasing music in early 1978. Radar's launch was closely linked to Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello. Lowe supplied the label's first single, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" backed with "They Called It Rock," and its first album, Jesus of Cool. Several Radar acts had previously been associated with Stiff Records, including Lowe, Yachts, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Jake Riviera, who had co-founded Stiff, brought Lowe and Costello into the Radar orbit after leaving that company. Costello and Lowe became Radar's leading commercial artists and helped define the label's public identity. The label's distribution arrangements extended its reach well beyond Britain. WEA Records distributed Radar in most territories, while a United States licensing arrangement with Polydor covered releases by artists including the Inmates, Bram Tchaikovsky, and Yachts. Radar consequently combined the flexibility of an independent label with access to major-label distribution infrastructure. Its catalogue was notably eclectic. Alongside commercially visible singer-songwriters and new wave acts, Radar released music by the Pop Group, Pere Ubu, the Soft Boys, 999, Visage, Métal Urbain, La Düsseldorf, Wayne Kramer, Loudon Wainwright III, Clive Langer and the Boxes, and other artists connected with punk, post-punk, art rock, and alternative music. The company also licensed American independent-label recordings, including releases associated with Iggy Pop and James Williamson, National Lampoon, the Good Rats, and Pezband. Through Rollin' Rock Records, it issued new albums by earlier rockabilly singers Ray Campi and Mac Curtis. Radar was also active in catalogue reissue work. Its WEA relationships enabled reissues involving the Shadows of Knight and the Electric Prunes. The label licensed the International Artists catalogue, making available recordings by the 13th Floor Elevators, the Lost & Found, and the Red Krayola. Radar also released new late-1970s Red Krayola material, including "Wives in Orbit" and the album Soldier-Talk. This combination of contemporary signings, specialist licences, and archival releases gave the label an unusually broad historical range. The departure of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello to F-Beat Records in 1980 weakened Radar's central commercial position. The original operation released its final record in 1981. The brand was subsequently revived with a new roster between 1995 and 1998. This second incarnation included Midget, Prolapse, Acacia, Morning Glories, Heave, Unsophisticates, and Pure Morning, the precursor of Clinic. No continuing active operation is established by the supplied reference material, so Radar Records is treated here as defunct or inactive.

• 1995

  Radar name is revived

  [1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  A second version of Radar operated with a new roster during the period from 1995 to 1998.

• 1981

  Original label issues its final release

  [1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The first Radar Records operation ended its release activity in 1981.

• 1980

  Principal commercial artists leave for F-Beat

  [1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello moved to F-Beat Records, a label established by Andrew Lauder and Jake Riviera.

• 1978

  First Radar releases appear

  [1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Radar began releasing records in early 1978, starting with Nick Lowe's first Radar single and the album Jesus of Cool.

• 1977

  Radar Records is founded

  [1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Martin Davis and Andrew Lauder formed Radar Records in late 1977.

An adventurous British independent label combining emerging punk, new wave, post-punk, and art-rock artists with licensed American material and historically important catalogue reissues.

• Album · 1978

  Jesus of Cool

  Nick Lowe's Jesus of Cool was Radar Records' first album release and one of the label's defining early titles. Lowe had previously been associated with Stiff Records, and his arrival through Jake Riviera connected Radar to the British independent scene. The album helped establish Radar's profile at the intersection of sharp songwriting, rock, and the emerging new wave market.

• Single · 1978

  I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass

  Nick Lowe's single "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," backed with "They Called It Rock," was the first record issued by Radar Records. It served as an early statement of the label's pop-facing side while introducing one of its most important artists. The release is identified in the label's historical account by its Radar catalogue number ADA 1.

• Album

  Soldier-Talk

  Soldier-Talk was a late-1970s album by the Red Krayola's then-current lineup. Radar released it alongside the single "Wives in Orbit" backed with "Yik-Yak." The title illustrates the label's support for experimental and art-oriented music in addition to its better-known punk and new wave catalogue.

• Catalogue reissues

  International Artists catalogue reissues

  Radar licensed the International Artists catalogue and reissued recordings associated with the 13th Floor Elevators, the Lost & Found, and the Red Krayola. These releases extended the label's activity into 1960s garage and psychedelic rock and gave historically important recordings renewed distribution through Radar's international network.

• 1995

  Revive the Radar brand with a new rosterStrategy

  Background

  After the original operation's final release in 1981, the Radar name was brought back during the 1995–1998 period.

  Action taken

  The revived label signed or released a different group of artists, including Midget, Prolapse, Acacia, Morning Glories, Heave, Unsophisticates, and Pure Morning.

  Aftermath

  The second incarnation expanded the historical association of the Radar name into the 1990s alternative music scene, although the supplied reference does not establish a continuing operation after 1998.

  Source

• 1980

  Key artists transfer to F-Beat RecordsOther

  Background

  Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello had become Radar's two most commercially successful artists.

  Action taken

  Both artists moved to F-Beat Records, a new label set up by Andrew Lauder and Jake Riviera.

  Aftermath

  Radar lost its principal commercial acts before the original label ended release activity in 1981.

  Source

• 1978

  Use major-label distribution and licensing to scale an independent rosterStrategy

  Background

  Radar was an independent British label but sought broad international access for its specialist roster and catalogue.

  Action taken

  The label arranged distribution by WEA in most territories and used a Polydor licensing arrangement for selected United States releases.

  Aftermath

  These arrangements allowed Radar to distribute artists and reissues internationally while retaining an independent-label identity.

  Source

• 1995

  Radar Records is revived with a new roster[1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Radar name returned during the 1995–1998 period with a different roster that included Midget, Prolapse, Acacia, Morning Glories, Heave, Unsophisticates, and Pure Morning.

• 1981

  Original Radar Records operation ends[1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The original Radar label issued its final release in 1981.

• 1980

  Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello move to F-Beat Records[1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change · Other

  Radar's two most commercially successful artists, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello, moved to F-Beat Records, the new label associated with Andrew Lauder and Jake Riviera.

• 1978

  Radar Records begins issuing releases[1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The label's first releases appeared in early 1978, including Nick Lowe's debut Radar single and the album Jesus of Cool.

• 1977

  Radar Records is established in the United Kingdom[1]Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Martin Davis and Andrew Lauder formed Radar Records in late 1977, creating a new independent label with links to United Artists, Liberty, and the emerging British independent music scene.

1. 1Radar Recordsen.wikipedia.org