Cheapskate Records was a

record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the prod ...

established by

Slade Slade are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The ''British H ...

bassist Jim Lea and his brother Frank Lea in 1979. It was active until 1982, however was later briefly revived for the release of three Slade singles in 1987–88. Aside from Slade, some of the artists on the label were

The Dummies The Dummies was a musical project formed by Slade bassist Jim Lea and his brother Frank Lea in 1979. Between 1979 and 1981, they released three singles and recorded a number of original and Slade songs, which were collected on the 1992 album ''A D ...

, The Ska-Dows, Sue Wilkinson,

Roy Wood Roy Wood (born 8 November 1946) is an English musician and singer-songwriter. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a ...

, Tich Turner's Escalator, Malcolm Roberts, Top Secret and

The Glitter Band The Glitter Band are a glam rock band from England, who initially worked as Gary Glitter's backing band under that name from 1973, when they then began releasing records of their own. They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first ...

History

Cheapskate Records was originally created to release a one-off single by

, a musical project formed by Jim Lea of Slade and his brother Frank. After recording a demo version of Slade's "

When the Lights Are Out "When the Lights Are Out" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1974 as the fourth and final single from their fourth studio album '' Old New Borrowed and Blue'' (known as ''Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet'' in America). The single ...

" in 1978, a major record label expressed interest in releasing the song, but insisted a proper recording be made. This was done in 1979, however the label then opted not to release it,The New Slade Fan Club - Frank Lea interview - July–August 1980 newsletter prompting the Leas to form Cheapskate. Frank wanted to prove that any independent label, with the right promotion and distribution, could release a hit single and "When the Lights Are Out" surfaced in December 1979. The song achieved extensive radio play, but suffered from distribution problems. In 1980, the Leas decided to continue the label to release other artists' recordings, and Slade's manager

Chas Chandler Bryan James "Chas" Chandler (18 December 1938 – 17 July 1996) was an English musician, record producer and manager, best known as the original bassist in The Animals, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He ...

joined the team during this time. Frank Lea handled the label's business and management, while Jim was considered the "musical man" and Chandler the "money man". The first release following the Dummies was the Ska-Dows' single "Apache", released in June 1980. The following single, "You Gotta Be a Hustler If You Wanna Get On" by Sue Wilkinson, was the label's first chart entry, reaching No. 25 in the UK. The Dummies' "Didn't You Use to Use to Be You?" followed in August 1980. Like their debut, the single generated much airplay and was expected to become a big hit after being placed on BBC Radio 1's 'A' playlist, but suffered distribution issues. With Slade having suffered a period of low popularity since the mid-1970s, the band also signed to the label in 1980. Their debut on Cheapskate was the extended play ''

Alive at Reading "'Alive at Reading'" is an extended play (EP) by the British rock band Slade, released in 1980. ''Alive at Reading'' includes three live tracks recorded at the band's performance at the 1980 Reading Festival. The EP was produced by Slade and rea ...

'', recorded at the band's comeback gig at the 1980

Reading Festival The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend. The Reading Fest ...

. It reached No. 44 in the UK. The label also released the debut single of

Roy Wood's Helicopters Roy Wood (born 8 November 1946) is an English musician and singer-songwriter. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a n ...

in October that year, although it failed to chart. The label's biggest charting success was Slade's "

We'll Bring the House Down ''We'll Bring The House Down'' is the ninth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 13 March 1981 and reached No. 25 in the UK. The album was produced by Slade, except "My Baby's Got It" which was produced by Chas Chandl ...

", which was released in January 1981 and reached No. 10. Cheapskate also released the band's album of the

same name ''Same Name'' is an American reality television series in which an average person swaps lives with a celebrity of the same first name and surname. It premiered on July 24, 2011 on CBS. The series received low ratings, and CBS pulled it after fou ...

that year, which reached No. 25, along with the single "

Wheels Ain't Coming Down "Wheels Ain't Coming Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the opening track from their eighth studio album '' Return to Base''. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced b ...

", which peaked at No. 60. In late 1981, disagreements between Chandler and Frank Lea resulted in Lea selling his share of the label and forming the independent Speed Records. Chandler continued Cheapskate until 1982, with the final release being

's "Heartbeat to Heartache", released in October 1982. The label was later briefly revived by the Leas in 1987-88 after

RCA The RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded as the Radio Corporation of America in 1919. It was initially a patent pool, patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westin ...

dropped Slade. It was used for the release of three of the band's singles; "

You Boyz Make Big Noize ''You Boyz Make Big Noize'' is the fourteenth and final studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 27 April 1987 and reached No. 98 in the UK charts. The album was largely produced by bassist Jim Lea, although some tracks ...

" (UK No. 94), "

We Won't Give In "We Won't Give In" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the fourth and final single from their fourteenth studio album '' You Boyz Make Big Noize''. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, ...

" (UK No. 121) and " Let's Dance".

References

{{Authority control Record labels established in 1979 Record labels disestablished in 1982 British record labels

History

See also

References