Kitchenware Records was an

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. It was founded in 1982 by Keith Armstrong, Paul Ludford and Phil Mitchell, and was originally part of The Soul Kitchen, an artist collective and nightclub.

1980s signings

One of the label's early signings were Martin Stephenson and the Daintees, whose single "Roll on Summertime" was voted as ‘single of the week’ in Sounds. In the mid 1980s, Kitchenware arranged a deal with Roger Ames'

London Records London Recordings (or London Records and London Music Stream) is a British record label that marketed records in the United States, Canada, and Latin America for Decca Records from 1947 to 1980 before becoming semi-independent. The London nam ...

(at the time a semi-independent unit within the PolyGram group) for the group, who licensed them along with soulful pop trio The Kane Gang (both of whom appeared on the label's various artists collection ''Giant - 14 Brand New Tracks From London Artists'' in 1987). Around the same time, a deal was also made with CBS Records for the rights to the recordings of Prefab Sprout, an indie pop act fronted by Paddy McAloon. Prefab Sprout were signed to Kitchenware 1983 and would go on to have a number of top 40 hits, once they allowed their Steely Dan-influences to show through. These three acts would feature on a compilation album put out by EMI Records in 1999 called ''Happy Ever After - The Best Of Kitchenware Records'' alongside lesser known acts such as Geoff Smith, Hug and Hurrah!

21st Century re-launch

In the early 2000s, Kitchenware was relaunched as a true 'indie' record label and signed bands such as Editors and

The Motorettes The Motorettes were a band from the North East England coastal town of Tynemouth. The band was described by the ''Manchester Evening News'' as emo and pop punk. They were signed to Kitchenware Records. Their album "Super Heartbeats" reached #8 ...

. Editors were the most successful of Kitchenware's 21st century acts, having gained platinum status with their album '' The Back Room'', which reached number two on the UK Albums Chart. The band's second album, ''

An End Has a Start ''An End Has a Start'' is the second album by British indie rock band Editors. It was released on 25 June 2007 in the UK and on 17 July 2007 in the US. The album was certified Platinum in the UK on the same day it was released. ''An End Has a S ...

'', brought the label its first UK number-one album upon its 25th anniversary in 2007, whilst third album ''

In This Light and on This Evening ''In This Light and on This Evening'' is the third studio album by English rock band Editors. It was released on 12 October 2009 by Kitchenware Records. The band had said the material would have a more raw and anthemic sound compared to their pr ...

'' also topped the chart. ''In This Light and on This Evening'' was to be Editors' last album with Kitchenware, as they signed direct to

PIAS PIAS or Pias may refer to: * PIAS Group, a UK music company ** PIAS Recordings (Play It Again Sam), an independent record label based in London and owned by the PIAS Entertainment Group * PIAS Group, a Japanese cosmetic company * Protein inhibitor ...

, the company which had the licence for the first three Editors album's European releases. The company dissolved in 2017.

Artists

* Martin Stephenson and the Daintees (licensed in the 1980s to

) * Hurrah! * The Fatima Mansions (licensed to Radioactive Records) *

Cathal Coughlan Cathal Coughlan may refer to: * Cathal Coughlan (politician) (1937–1986), Irish Fianna Fáil politician * Cathal Coughlan (musician) Cathal Coughlan (16 December 1960 – 18 May 2022) was an Irish singer and songwriter from Cork, best k ...

(formally of Microdisney/The Fatima Mansions) * Kane Gang (licensed in the 1980s to

, now licensed to DMG's Gary Crowley's Lost 80's Presents... label) * Prefab Sprout (licensed to CBS Records (Columbia)/ Sony Music) * Geoff Smith"Six Wings Of Bliss" by Geoff Smith, Track 12 on ''Happy Ever After - The Best Of Kitchenware Records'', Kitchenware Records/EMI 1999 catalogue number: 724349882027 *

* Sirens * Kid Coda * The Changes (Licensed from Drama Club Records, Chicago USA) *

Karima Francis Karima Francis (born Karima Antoinette Francis Cunliffe, 28 April 1987 in Blackpool, England) is an English singer-songwriter. Karima was named by '' The Observer'' the number one act to watch in 2009. After performing at In The City in Manches ...

* Waiting For Volkaerts * Kate Walsh
Hug
(licensed to EMI) * Wushcatte * Editors * Smith & Burrows (Tom Smith from Editors/Andy Burrows from Razorlight). *

The Linkmen ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

References

External links

*
Hug
Revenge Western Records {{Authority control British independent record labels Indie rock record labels Record labels established in 1982 1982 establishments in England

1980s signings

21st Century re-launch

Artists

See also

References

External links