Imaginary Records
Encyclopedia
Imaginary Records was an independent record label
based in Heywood, Lancashire
, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock
and post-punk
. It was created and owned by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree
's first two albums, On the Sunday of Life
and Up the Downstair
.
The label released many albums by The Chameleons
and related bands, including The Reegs, and Mark Burgess
' Zima Junction.
The label also released a number of artist tribute albums, on which contemporary acts recorded cover versions of influential artists. Contributors to this series of albums included Sonic Youth
, The Membranes
, Nirvana
, Echo & the Bunnymen
, XTC
, Dinosaur Jr., Ride
, Screaming Trees
and Buffalo Tom
.
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:...
based in Heywood, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
and post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
. It was created and owned by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree is a progressive rock band formed by Steven Wilson in 1987 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England. Their music is difficult to categorise, being associated with both psychedelic rock and progressive rock, yet having been influenced by trance, krautrock and ambient due to Steven...
's first two albums, On the Sunday of Life
On the Sunday of Life
On the Sunday of Life is the debut album of English progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in July, 1991. It compiles tracks that Steven Wilson produced and recorded for two cassette-only releases, Tarquin's Seaweed Farm and The Nostalgia Factory...
and Up the Downstair
Up the Downstair
Up the Downstair is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, first released in May 1993. It was originally intended to be a double album set including the song "Voyage 34", which was instead released as a single in 1992, and other material that ended up on the...
.
The label released many albums by The Chameleons
The Chameleons
The Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
and related bands, including The Reegs, and Mark Burgess
Mark Burgess (musician)
Mark Burgess is an English singer, bass player and songwriter. He was the lead singer, co-founder and main force behind English post-punk band The Chameleons. He currently resides in Germany and the UK.-Biography:...
' Zima Junction.
The label also released a number of artist tribute albums, on which contemporary acts recorded cover versions of influential artists. Contributors to this series of albums included Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, The Membranes
The Membranes
The Membranes were a post-punk band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1977, the initial line-up being John Robb , Mark Tilton , Martin Critchley and Martin Kelly . Critchley soon left, with Robb and Tilton taking on vocals, and Kelly moving to keyboards, with "Coofy Sid" taking over on drums...
, Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
, XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, Dinosaur Jr., Ride
Ride (band)
Ride were a British alternative rock band that formed in 1988 in Oxford, England, consisting of Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Laurence "Loz" Colbert, and Steve Queralt. The band were initially part of the "shoegazing" scene. Following the break-up of the band in 1996, members moved on to various other...
, Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees
Screaming Trees was an American rock band formed in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985 by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, bass player Van Conner and drummer Mark Pickerel. Pickerel had been replaced by Barrett Martin by the time the band reached its most successful period...
and Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom is an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986. Its principal members are guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis. The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer.-Career:Dinosaur Jr...
.
Albums
- Tiny LightsTiny LightsTiny Lights was a music group formed by John Hamilton and Donna Croughn in 1985. Original members include Dave Dreiwitz , Jane Scarpantoni and John Mastro . Based in Hoboken, New Jersey, the group released a total of seven albums, two of which were later released on Psychic TV's Temple Records...
- Hot Chocolate Massage (ILLCD 011) - The Mock TurtlesThe Mock TurtlesThe Mock Turtles are a Manchester based indie rock band, formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester in 1985, who enjoyed some success in the early 1990s...
- Turtle Soup (ILLCD 012) - CudCud (band)Cud are a British indie rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1987, consisting of vocalist Carl Puttnam , guitarist/keyboardist Mike Dunphy , bassist William Potter , and drummer Steve Goodwin .Though an indie rock band, their music incorporated elements of funk...
- Elvis BeltElvis BeltElvis Belt is an album of selected early singles, EPs and Peel Sessions released by the Leeds-based indie rock band Cud in 1990 through Imaginary Records...
(ILLCD 013) - Various - Outlaw Blues - A Tribute to Bob Dylan (ILLCD 014)
- The Beat Poets - Totally Radio (ILLCD 015)
- Various - Heaven & Hell - A Tribute To The Velvet Underground (Volume One)Heaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet UndergroundHeaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet Underground is a series of tribute albums released by Imaginary Records in the UK dedicated to The Velvet Underground...
(ILLCD 016) - Various - Heaven & Hell - A Tribute To The Velvet Underground (Volume Two)Heaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet UndergroundHeaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet Underground is a series of tribute albums released by Imaginary Records in the UK dedicated to The Velvet Underground...
(ILLCD 017) - Spiral Jetty - Dog star (ILLCD 018)
- The Mock TurtlesThe Mock TurtlesThe Mock Turtles are a Manchester based indie rock band, formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester in 1985, who enjoyed some success in the early 1990s...
- 87-90 (ILLCD 019) - The Infant God - Puberty (ILLCD 020)
- CudCud (band)Cud are a British indie rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1987, consisting of vocalist Carl Puttnam , guitarist/keyboardist Mike Dunphy , bassist William Potter , and drummer Steve Goodwin .Though an indie rock band, their music incorporated elements of funk...
- Leggy MamboLeggy MamboLeggy Mambo is the second studio album by the Leeds-based indie rock band Cud and released through Imaginary Records.An extended version called "Leggy Mambo - Gold Top Copy" was released in May 2008 by Cherry Red Records and featured additional remixes.-Track listing:#"Now!" - 2:24#"Heart" –...
(ILLCD 021) - Various - Heaven & Hell - A Tribute To The Velvet Underground (Volume Three)Heaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet UndergroundHeaven & Hell - A Tribute to The Velvet Underground is a series of tribute albums released by Imaginary Records in the UK dedicated to The Velvet Underground...
(ILLCD 022) - Various - Through the Looking Glass - 1966 (ILLCD 023)
- Bill NelsonBill Nelson (musician)Bill Nelson is an English guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter and experimental musician...
- Luminous (ILLCD 024) - Various - 1965 - Through the Looking Glass1965 - Through the Looking Glass1965 – Through The Looking Glass is a compilation album released by Imaginary Records in 1992.-Track listing:...
(ILLCD 025) - Various - Brittle Days - A Tribute to Nick DrakeBrittle Days - A Tribute to Nick DrakeBrittle Days - A Tribute To Nick Drake is a 1992 compilation album released by Imaginary Records in the UK. The album features contemporary artists performing cover versions of songs by Nick Drake...
(ILLCD 026) - The Rhythm SistersThe Rhythm SistersThe Rhythm Sisters, an English acoustic/pop duo from Leeds, emerged in 1987 with the album, Road to Roundhay Pier. Sisters Mandi and Debi Laek released their first single, "American Boys", which reached number seven in the UK Independent Chart, while touring extensively in the UK and Europe with...
- Willerby (ILLCD 027) - The Cherryblades - In Dependence (ILLCD 028)
- The Reegs - Return of the Sea Monkeys (ILLCD 029)
- The Prudes - Designer Karma (ILLCD 030)
- Various - Out of Time - The Very Best of the Imaginary Tribute Series (ILLCD 031)
- Various - Through the Looking Glass - 1968 (ILLCD 032)
- Various - You Done My Brain In - A Tribute to the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (ILLCD 033)
- Various - Seconds Out Round One - Live Hit The North SessionsSeconds Out Round OneSeconds Out Round One was compilation album of session tracks recorded in 1991 for the Mark Radcliffe radio show Hit The North, released by Imaginary Records...
(ILLCD 034) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Here Today... Gone Tomorrow (ILLCD 035) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Live in Toronto (ILLCD 036) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Here Today... Gone Tomorrow/Live In Toronto (ILLCD 037) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Free Trade Hall Rehearsal (ILLCD 039) - Various - Outlaw Blues - A Tribute to Bob Dylan (Volume Two) (ILLCD 040)
- The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Dali's Picture (ILLCD 041) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Auffuhrung In Berlin (ILLCD 042) - The ChameleonsThe ChameleonsThe Chameleons were an English post-punk band that formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981. They consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever...
- Dali's Picture / Live In Berlin (ILLCD 043) - Mark Burgess and the Sons of GodMark Burgess (musician)Mark Burgess is an English singer, bass player and songwriter. He was the lead singer, co-founder and main force behind English post-punk band The Chameleons. He currently resides in Germany and the UK.-Biography:...
- Zima Junction (ILLCD 044) - The Reegs - Rock the Magic Rock (ILLCD 045)
- Who By Fire - Road Movie (ILLCD 046)
- Various - Fifteen Minutes - A Tribute to The Velvet Underground (ILLCD 047P)
- Various - Beyond the Wildwood - A Tribute To Syd BarrettBeyond the WildwoodBeyond the Wildwood - A Tribute to Syd Barrett is a tribute album consisting of music written by Pink Floyd's original guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter Syd Barrett. The musicians performing on the album are British and American indie rock artists...
(ILLCD 100) - Various - Fast 'n' Bulbous - A Tribute to Captain BeefheartFast 'n' Bulbous - A Tribute to Captain BeefheartFast 'n' Bulbous - A Tribute To Captain Beefheart was an album released by Imaginary Records in the UK in 1988, consisting of contemporary artists performing cover versions of songs by Captain Beefheart.-Track listing:...
(ILLCD 200) - Various - Shangri-La - A Tribute to the Kinks (ILLCD 300)
- Various - Time Between - A Tribute to The ByrdsTime Between - A Tribute to The ByrdsTime Between – A Tribute to The Byrds is a various artists tribute album consisting of cover versions of songs originally written and recorded by the Los Angeles band The Byrds. It was released in 1989 as an LP and CD by Imaginary Records in the UK and by the Communion Label in the United States...
(ILLCD 400) - CudCud (band)Cud are a British indie rock band formed in Leeds, England in 1987, consisting of vocalist Carl Puttnam , guitarist/keyboardist Mike Dunphy , bassist William Potter , and drummer Steve Goodwin .Though an indie rock band, their music incorporated elements of funk...
- When In Rome, Kill MeWhen in Rome, Kill MeWhen in Rome, Kill Me is the debut album by the Leeds-based indie rock band Cud and released through Imaginary Records The album was recorded during March 1989 at the Woodhouse Studios in Leeds with Alaric Neville and Richard Formby handling production....
(ILLCD 500) - Various - Stoned Again - A Tribute to the Rolling Stones (ILLCD 600)
- Benny ProfaneBenny ProfaneBenny Profane were a Liverpool band that existed from 1985 until 1990. They released two albums, various singles and EPs, and recorded three John Peel sessions.-History:...
– Dumb Luck Charm/Trapdoor Swing (ILLCD 700) - Various - If 6 Was 9 - A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (ILLCD 800)
- The Batchelor Pad - Tales of Hofmann (ILLCD 900)
- Various - Through the Looking Glass - 1967 (ILLCD 1000)
EPs
- The StairsThe StairsThe Stairs were an English rock band formed in Liverpool around 1990 by vocalist and bassist Edgar Summertyme, guitarist Ged Lynn and drummer Paul Maguire...
- Last Time Around Stairs (MIRACD 040) - The Chemistry Set - (Don't) Turn Away EP (MIRACD 026)
- The Chemistry Set - The Candleburns EP (MIRACD 030)