Propeller 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 and medium-sized enterprise, small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels ...
formed in
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
,
MA, in
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...
. The label, a collective, was formed by a number of Boston bands, including The Wild Stares,
People in Stores,
The Neats
The Neats were a rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, which existed from the late 1970s to early 1990s. They first recorded for the independent Propeller label, on which the band released the song "Six" in 1981. The following year, their well-rec ...
, CCCPTV and V;. Later members include Dangerous Birds, Art Yard, 21-645, Chinese Girlfriends, White Women, and Lori Green. The label was known for its anti-corporate, consumerist approach, labeling all releases with the phrase ''"Propeller Product"'' and the consumer-friendly admonition ''"pay no more than $2.00"''. The initial release, Propeller Product EP, featuring
The Neats
The Neats were a rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, which existed from the late 1970s to early 1990s. They first recorded for the independent Propeller label, on which the band released the song "Six" in 1981. The following year, their well-rec ...
,
People in Stores, CCCPTV and The Wild Stares, was a success in indie-label terms, achieving distribution through
Rounder Records
Rounder Records is an independent record label founded in 1970 in Somerville, Massachusetts, by Marian Leighton Levy, Ken Irwin, and Bill Nowlin. Focused on American roots music, Rounder's catalogue of more than 3000 titles includes records by A ...
and selling over 5,000 copies. In 1982, Propeller released a compilation cassette tape consisting of two songs from all of the label-member bands, which was another indie-success and sold over 1,500 copies.
Releases
*Propeller Product EP (The Neats/''Six'', People in Stores/''Factory'', CCCPTV/''Mindless Funk'', The Wild Stares/''Moving Targets'')
*People in Stores Single (''Metaphor'' / ''White Funk'')
*The Wild Stares Single (''Never Seen Before'' / ''You'')
*So! The V; EP (''Sirens'', ''The Need'', ''1926'', ''Daved Hild'')
*Propeller Product Compilation Cassette
arious Artists*Propeller Laughing at the Ground EP (21-645/''Babble'', Dangerous Birds/''Emergency'', V;/''Schizted'', Christmas/''Close My Eyes'')
*Dangerous Birds Single (''Alpha Romeo'' / ''Smile On Your Face'')
*The Wild Stares Single (''All We Want/Over'' / ''The Moon is Down'')
See also
*
List of record labels
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Lists of record labels cover record labels, brands or trademarks associated with marketing of music recordings and music videos. The lists are organized alphabetically, ...
External links
Robert Christgau Article - Propeller EP ReviewArticle from The Noise - Propeller Compilation Tape
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Record labels established in 1981
American independent record labels