Lizard King Records was a London-based

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 and medium-sized enterprise, small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels ...

founded in 2002 by Martin Heath and Dominic Hardisty.

History

The label signed US rock band

The Killers The Killers are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After the band went through a number of short-term bas ...

in July 2003. According to Heath in an interview with

HitQuarters HitQuarters was an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It was noted for its in-depth interviews with industry figures, as well as its A&R and manager contact directory, free artist promo pages and song ...

, "Everyone in America had turned them down. They had been out for a year looking for a deal but nobody was interested." The label then released the band's first single, "

Mr. Brightside "Mr. Brightside" is the debut single of American rock band the Killers. It appears on their debut studio album, '' Hot Fuss'' (2004). Written by band members Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, it was one of the first songs the Killers ever wrot ...

", on a limited press of 500 within the UK and then on a mass scale worldwide in 2004 and 2005. They also released second singles and a debut album before they were then signed by

Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in Jamaica by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in 1959, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, another ...

. Around 2005/06 Heath and Hardisty decided to go their separate ways and Hardisty formed a new label Marrakesh Records. Lizard King's distribution goes through ADA in America and Pinnacle in the UK.

Artists

ME (band) ME (pronounced "me") were an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne active from 2008 to 2015. The band composed of Luke Ferris (vocals, guitar, piano), Michael Godde (bass, backing vocals), Spike Rogers (drums), and two separate guitarists: Da ...

Clear Static Clear Static was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. They gained success after winning a Teen Choice Award through online votes. Their music features a rock based background, with a diversion into New Wave dance during their final ...

* Drive-by Argument *

Santigold Santi White (born September 25, 1976), known professionally as Santigold (formerly Santogold), is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut studio album, '' Santogold'' (2008), was released by Atlantic Records and met with widespread critica ...

(previously known as Santogold) *

The Pierces The Pierces are an American pop rock duo consisting of sisters Allison and Catherine Pierce. Early life Allison Margaret Pierce (born July 22, 1975) and Catherine Eleanor Pierce (born September 12, 1977) were born in Birmingham, Alabama. They t ...

The Go The Go was an American rock band from Detroit, Michigan, founded in 1996. The group released seven studio albums before splitting up in 2013. History The Go was established in Detroit in 1996 by Bobby Harlow, John Krautner, and Marc Fellis. ...

* Greater Good *Oxzana *Valentina Fel * Erasmo de la Parra

References

British independent record labels {{Independent-record-label-stub