Music Matters: Revisiting a great record label

The 1970s and 1980s saw an explosion of independent record labels that were home to many acts as they were just starting out. Cherry Red Records formed in 1978 and released the earlier recordings of some great bands and signers who enjoyed fame and fortune in later years - including the duo Everything But The Girl, who went on to have chart success with their song ‘Missing’ and their version of ‘I Don’t Want To Talk About It’ – a song originally made famous by Rod Stewart.

Cherry Red are still going strong and do a fantastic job in reissuing albums of the past as well as CD and vinyl boxsets featuring their previous acts. I was delighted to discover that Staa Marx – the Bognor Regis punk/new-wave band – feature on the label’s ‘Harmony in My Head’ compilation.

Staa Marx were local legends - they not only won a national Melody Maker music competition which took place at Croydon’s Fairfield Hall, but also played the Reading Festival in 1977. Robin Parker, who played drums in the group, tells me that Staa Marx were the second band to sign to Cherry Red after The Darts.

If you enjoy music outside of the mainstream, want to indulge in nostalgic musical bliss with some great acts of the past and support a cracking record label, do check out the Cherry Red website at cherryred.co.uk but be warned: damage to your bank balance is inevitable!

My musical gem: Portsmouth Punk Fest is taking place at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday, 15 August featuring nine great acts: Uncivilized, Well’ard, Why Pinto, eatboys, Buds, Sunliner, Be Nice, Pizza Tramp and Wonk Unit. Expect several glorious hours of high-energy performances that really embrace the DIY ethos of punk. Tickets are £26.50 and pogoing is mandatory! More information about the day can be found at portsmouthguildhall.org.uk   

Listen to Duncan Barkes on Nation Easy Radio, Monday to Friday nights from 10pm. Nation Easy Radio can be heard on DAB digital radio, via the Nation Player app and on your smart speaker – just say “Play Nation Easy Radio.”