Plastic Raygun
Encyclopedia
Plastic Raygun was a record label
based in Cardiff
, the capital of Wales
, that specialised in breakbeat
artists. The company was formed in the mid-1990s by Maf Lewis, Steven Robson and Neil Cocker
organising and hosting concerts, featuring artists such as the Propellerheads
and Bentley Rhythm Ace
. They followed in 2000
with an official record label adding label manager Sam Evans.
Their most notable accomplishment to date has been the Jean Jacques Smoothie
single "2 People", which was a top 20 hit in the UK. In 2001 "2 People" appeared on Top Of The Pops
.
The signing of artists Stabilizer and Dynamo Dresden were significant to the label. Dynamo Dresden's 2006 album Remember, released on the Plastic Raygun label, saw widespread release in the US, UK, and Spain. Prior to the album releases by Dynamo Dresden and Stabilizer, Plastic Raygun had made a name for itself selling thousands of 12" singles across the world, with its artists touring on five continents.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
based in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, the capital of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, that specialised in breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
artists. The company was formed in the mid-1990s by Maf Lewis, Steven Robson and Neil Cocker
Neil Cocker
Neil Cocker is a Cardiff, UK-based entrepreneur.He was a co-founder of Plastic Raygun, and a member of Phantom Beats.He is Managing Director of Dizzyjam, founder of NOCCI, and is co-organiser of Ignite Cardiff and TEDxCardiff.-External links:* * * *...
organising and hosting concerts, featuring artists such as the Propellerheads
Propellerheads
Propellerheads were a British big beat musical ensemble, formed in 1995 and made up of electronic producers Will White and Alex Gifford. The term propellerhead is slang for a nerd, and when Gifford and White heard a friend from California use this in a conversation, they thought it the perfect name...
and Bentley Rhythm Ace
Bentley Rhythm Ace
Bentley Rhythm Ace are a duo formed in Birmingham, England in 1997, consisting of Mike Stokes and Richard March.-Career:The band was formed in Birmingham by Richard March, formerly with the group Pop Will Eat Itself, and Mike Stokes, with guest appearances by James Atkin, a member of indie band EMF...
. They followed in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
with an official record label adding label manager Sam Evans.
Their most notable accomplishment to date has been the Jean Jacques Smoothie
Jean Jacques Smoothie
Jean Jacques Smoothie is a British disc jockey, born in Gloucester as Steve Robson. He has been DJ-ing since 1994, beginning his DJ-ing in the back bar of a nightclub titled "the Cheesey Club"....
single "2 People", which was a top 20 hit in the UK. In 2001 "2 People" appeared on Top Of The Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
.
The signing of artists Stabilizer and Dynamo Dresden were significant to the label. Dynamo Dresden's 2006 album Remember, released on the Plastic Raygun label, saw widespread release in the US, UK, and Spain. Prior to the album releases by Dynamo Dresden and Stabilizer, Plastic Raygun had made a name for itself selling thousands of 12" singles across the world, with its artists touring on five continents.
Recording artists
The following artists have recorded on the Plastic Raygun label:- NAPTNAPT (electronic music artist)NAPT are a multi award winning British electronic dance music production and DJ duo consisting of Ashley Pope and Tomek Naden. NAPT's productions fall under the umbrella of their self coined N-Funk sound....
- Stabilizer
- Phantom Beats
- Vandal (Electronica/Breakbeat producer)Vandal (Electronica/Breakbeat producer)Vandal is a Techno, Breakbeat and Electronica producer from Sheffield, England. He is currently recording for Meat Katie's LOT49 record label.- Background :...
- Jean Jacques SmoothieJean Jacques SmoothieJean Jacques Smoothie is a British disc jockey, born in Gloucester as Steve Robson. He has been DJ-ing since 1994, beginning his DJ-ing in the back bar of a nightclub titled "the Cheesey Club"....
- Dynamo DresdenDynamo DresdenSG Dynamo Dresden are a German association football club, based in Dresden, Saxony. They were founded in 1950, as a club affiliated with the East German police, and became one of the most popular and successful clubs in East German football, winning eight league titles...
- Baobinga
- Sheethanger
- AtomicRoboKid