"IF YOU WANT IT DONE ... DO IT YOURSELF!"

New label on the block Council House Records have the "Indie" DIY ethic down to a fine working class art.

Influenced by the self - sufficient aesthetics of such labels as, Anagram, Step Forward, Whamm and Chiswick, CHR are now releasing punk inspired bands with ideals to match the labels they looked up to for classic singles and albums.

Of the releases that I have heard, some familiar themes run throughout. A bouncing nostalgia for all things late 70's, The Television Personalities, Mod, The Clash, Indie singles, the pogo and hanging around on council estates with not much else to do but cling to music for inspiration.

For anyone who wasn't at an age to appreciate the DIY ethics of the late 70's, CHR are now releasing music that has that same passionate edge that made real "Indie" music important and urgent! For those who were lucky enough to experience the speed fueled pogo - fest, you will be happy that CHR will remind you that some bands really did "mean it man." This is no dewy eyed trip down the Charing Cross Road, it's a fully charged raucous run down Let's be Fucking Avenue, with all your mates in tow.

Here is a quick run down on the CHR artists we have listened to:

Out Of Nowhere:
Perfect Pop Punk, with a sharp suited Mod tinged melodies.
All aboard a speeding bus with The Television Personalities, The Clash and The Buzzcocks, with Dan Treacy at the wheel. A rakish upbeat mix of thrashing guitars, spinning Hammondesque organ and pensive vocal musings. This is music for a heady night of drinking and thinking. All mates debating the wrongs of the world and it's all put to rights with a perfect punky backbeat.

Out Of Nowhere Myspace

The Buffalo Club:
Ballsy, sleazy Rock 'n' Roll, that's the potent cocktail that TBC seem to be drinking. Once this potion is consumed, a heavily intoxicated mix of QOTSA, MC5 and T Rex spews forth from Marshall amps. Chugging powerful riffs are the order of the day here. Clattering drums happily smash away against the throbbing bass. Great laid back vocals offset the great musicianship to a lucid effect. Musically TBC are the least Punk band on CHR and this band highlights, along with the rest that I have heard from the label, the quality of CHR's releases.

The Buffalo Club Myspace

Except The General:
ETG have that early Twee Punk feel of early Television Personalities and if you are going to have an influence, then the TVP's are better than most! A slight 60's Pop feel can be heard on some of the tracks; think The Zombies chasing Wreckless Eric whilst wielding mighty Buzzcocks and all the while, it's being recorded on a 4 track and subsequently gets played by John Peel.

Except The General Myspace

Wielding Intergrity, passion and Brashness, Council House Records are like the good kids from the council estates that I grew up with. CHR make the musical world a good place to hang around and will no doubt create bonds with many, becoming friends for life…

Interview with the founder of Council House Records.

Phil, let's start at the beginning. How did you get into music in the first place?
"OK, let me tell you a story - It goes something like this… When I was around 12-13, this would have been 1977 / 1978, a next door neighbor came round clutching a pile of vinyl 45's  that included, The Clash - 'White Riot' , The Sex Pistols - 'God Save the Queen' and The Damned - 'New Rose' and a bunch of other punk new wave classics. Straight away, the picture sleeves grabbed me; I'd never seen anything like them. When I heard the music in the grooves, I was blown away. From that moment on I was washed away on a sea of punk and new wave and I swore to myself that one day, I would have in my hand a vinyl 45 with a cool picture sleeve that was by my band - Fast forward 5 years and this brings us to 1982. I was in a band and we had just released our first vinyl single on Alan McGee's fledgling Essential Records label and I was hooked."

How did you go about starting the label and was it a difficult process?
"Well, it all really just started itself. We were in bands, mates were in bands and we all wanted to get our music out there. So, we just went and did it! We researched costs and pressing plants and stuff, found places and people we liked and here we are today. Was it difficult? No… well I think in this day and age of the internet, anyone with the will and some spare cash can do this sort of thing. It's really has the essence of what punk was in the beginning. I would say don't go into it thinking it's all about making cash, as that's another matter all together."

What's forthcoming from label, what can we expect?
"Ok in the pipe line we have a compilation cd with a load of new bands, some local to us and some not .... Also there is going to be a split single with Except The General and The Buffalo Club; themed around the Dennis Hopper character Frank Booth from the film Blue Velvet ... we hope to have some very special packaging for that one! Also once the publishing deal is in place with Cherry Red Records we will be releasing the new Except The General CD/ LP."

What is your demo policy?
"We accept all demos, as long as they are along the lines of what we are into. I would suggest that bands have a look and listen to what we do and if you think you fit, drop us a demo and biography. You can get the address for mailing by messaging me at the Council House Records Myspace page."

Anything else you would like to add?
"The more music we sell, the more we can put out. I would say to anyone reading this, if you like what you hear from us, please buy something, as small labels like us run on a hand to mouth basis and can only survive with your help."

Council House Records Myspace page

**COMPETITIONTIME**

Ok, all you wonderful painted people.

Here is the very first Crumbs In The Butter competition.

Those lovely folks at Council House Records have offered up for grabs some lovely little goodies.

The first glittering prize winner gets the following: