Inhaler Interview
!_Archive Post_!
Doncaster Live October 2007 Edition
Inhaler Records seemed to spring from nowhere around a year ago, galvanizing the scene with a series of must see gigs, and exposing some of our local talent to the national radio and press. But who are they, and where did they spring from? I caught up with founding member Andy Maddison to find out more…
Introduce the Inhaler team?
Team Inhaler consists of Mr Ben Thomsett, Mr Robin Burns, and myself Andy Maddison.
When did Inhaler Records begin?
About 1989 in my mind! I had always dreamed of setting up a label, but it was not until meeting Ben in 2005 and finding that we shared a love of similar music and the ethos behind that music, that the courage was found to do it. Rob was the final member to get on board and was also a natural choice to get involved as he too shares a great passion for music, although sometimes we have to keep his soft rock leanings in check! So it was in early 2006 that Inhaler opened its doors for trading.
What’s the current Inhaler Records roster?
We have to date just two releases under our belt, we feel it is important not to take too much on, as we do not have a massive promotional budget or staff team, and have to continually find different and creative ways to push the bands…and this is obviously more time consuming!
The first release by Cape Canaveral came out of the blue really. We had struck up a friendship with Nottingham based recording team ‘The Moot Group’ after a meeting with one half of the pair Paul Yeadon, at his show with band The Wireless Stores (readers should check them out). Paul had been the driving force behind early nineties grunge firebrands BIVOUAC (of whom I had been a massive fan). BIVOUAC spent the nineties touring the world with the likes of Fugazi, The Melvin’s, Sugar and also sharing a record label with Nirvana! It was on his recommendation that fellow Nottingham residents Cape Canaveral took a chance with us. Although it was their final release and on a limited run, it sold really well and gained some fantastic reviews.
The second release was by Doncaster band OFM. We decided upon asking them to work with us after seeing them at the 2006 Something’s Convention. They just blew us away and were everything we liked about a band, they have immense stage presence and songs that will melt your face!
Why this band had not been signed prior to our meeting was a complete mystery!! The band entered the studio in Nottingham in December ‘06 and produced a record that we are all very proud of. This was our first record using distribution company Plastic Head, and the record is available through all major retail outlets and online stockists worldwide!!! Although it is early days the record seems to be doing very well. We have releases planned in 07/08 for another Doncaster band, Goodbye Good, and Pontefract based Above Them. Both bands are nothing short of amazing.
You mention that the ethos behind the music you love was an important point in your coming together. How would you describe the ethos of Inhaler?
Our ethos is inspired by the great American labels of the 1980’s and 90’s, such as K records, Merge, Touch and Go, Drag City etc. This time for me was a golden time in the history of music, when for a short period of time everything was (to our eyes) done the way it should be. The workings of the underground scene were controlled by the fans and bands themselves, for no other reason than they loved music, not for financial gain or for the acquisition of power, and survived independently of the mainstream music business. Not wanting to spew a lesson in the history of the U.S underground from 81-91, but we just like the idea of a network of likeminded people coming together to achieve something important to them. We treat the bands fairly and there is no us and them, we are in this together, decisions are made together and we divide any money 50/50. I think Ben Booth (OFM) summed it up when he said he liked the idea that he could “come to my house and get shitfaced!” right before drinking my last bottle of wine and rolling around on my kitchen floor!
The bands you have signed so far all seem to share similar musical influences, with 90’s American college alt-rock being quite prevalent. Is this a trend that you see continuing in future Inhaler releases, or are your doors open to any band, regardless of genre?
I don’t think this was a conscious decision, but bearing in mind what I have just answered to the last question…it was inevitable! It is what our ears like and where our hearts are. I think it would be wrong for us to be untrue to ourselves by trying to put records out by what is the flavour of the month. That is not to say that were a closed shop though, and if something is good and has passion then we are open minded and may consider it.
What are your feelings on the current Doncaster scene?
I think the Doncaster scene is alive and well! What I have always liked about Doncaster is that the bands don’t try to emulate or conform to what is going off in the mass consciousness; they appear to play what they like to play regardless. The only criticism I would have is that the contact with bands and labels from other towns and cities around the U.K does not seem to be overly good. We have found that networking with other people in the same situation invaluable. It is an excellent way of doing gig swaps, getting information/contacts and generally spreading the word about what is going off in our area. The explosion of venues over the last 5 years has been amazing though, and it can only be a good thing. Especially as the owners of these venues are so supportive to local musicians.
Is there enough of a demand for this explosion of venues though? It seems that with more choice, attendances have suffered, and the majority of crowds at gigs are all fellow musicians. I know that on gigs you’ve promoted yourselves it has sometimes been a struggle getting enough punters through the door. Doncaster has some great bands, but does the majority of Doncaster care?
I understand what you are saying, but I think that before the other venues arrived it was the same old crowd that were attending shows. At least with the likes of The Priory and Vintage Rockbar a more varied and newer crowd are experiencing live music. But I will add that the Doncaster public are a little reluctant to pay for the pleasure of taking a chance on an underground band. We have often put on three to four quality touring bands from as far away as Spain and Australia and had very disappointing attendances or people refusing to pay the £3 entry fee, which usually only covered the bands petrol money! The sad fact is that the majority of Doncaster do not care unless it is a band ‘proven’ through the mainstream media, but as long as there is a few out there willing to experience something new then we will keep plugging away at it!
So what takes precedence at Inhaler? Putting on gigs or putting out records?
Of course we are a record label, and that is what we set out to do and are primarily about. But every now and again we come across a band that we want to share with everyone, so we bring them to Doncaster! We all enjoy the process of organising shows; the feeling before the doors open is both sickening and exhilarating. You never know if people will turn up or if they will like what has been presented before them.
What’s your proudest moment for Inhaler so far?
Rob: There are that many, but The Drones (Australian Music Prize winners) was a whole different level. The band was on an extensive European tour and was 3rd from the top of the bill at ATP. It was a pleasure to put them on, and they were really nice people. It was a shame about the turn out though; it was a big moment for Doncaster. Also watching OFM open at The Leadmill, they looked so pleased and we all had grins from ear to ear!
Ben: I loved the Drones too, but Mum Smokes just stole it for me. They too were in the UK for ATP, and although we had heard their stuff on record we were not quite prepared for what followed. I left that night believing that I had witnessed something truly special. Also hearing Steve Lamacq introduce ‘Mary’ by OFM…priceless!
Andy: Can I have two? The first is receiving the finished OFM CD from the pressing plant, it was the end of what seemed like a never ending process (almost a year from start to finish!) and looked and sounded exactly how we had imagined it to…I was choked. The second was Avast! at Vintage Rock Bar, just seeing them go down so well was an amazing feeling. I feel it’s the best show we have put on so far.
And what does the next 12 months hold for Inhaler?
We are of course going to continue promoting the OFM record, and have the Goodbye Good artwork, pressing and subsequent release to take care of. We think that the Above Them record will come in the form of an EP, and that will probably be out in early 2008. There is one VERY exciting project shaping up that I will not disclose to you right now, for fear it doesn’t pan out how we hope. But apart from that, we are always on the lookout for exciting bands that do not wish to suck the corporate cock!
www.inhalerrecords.com
www.myspace.com/inhalerrecords
Words: Adam Irwin
