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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 37.228.246.52 (talk) at 07:16, 18 April 2018 (→1980s: Kaught at the Kampus and the origins of Reekus). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Reekus Records
Founded1981
FounderElvera Butler
GenreRock, indie, alternative rock, punk
Country of originIreland
LocationDublin, Ireland
Official websitewww.reekus.com

Reekus Records is an Irish independent record label and publishing company based in Dublin, founded by Elvera Butler in 1981. The label specializes in the promotion of mostly Irish, alternative music.

The label has a discography that charts over three decades of alternative Irish music. The company has released albums by leading Irish artists, including The Blades, David Hopkins, Perry Blake, Reemo, The Moondogs, Metisse, Big Self and performance artist Nigel Rolfe, as well launching the career of now established acts, such as Aslan and Microdisney.[1]

Reekus Records is a member of the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).[2]

History

1980s: Kaught at the Kampus and the origins of Reekus

The creation of Reekus Records originated from Kaught at the Kampus, a vehicle for local Cork bands, whose central aim was to give support slots to smaller acts at the Downtown Kampus, a regular club night in the Cork Arcadia Ballroom. Run by Reekus Records founder Elvera Butler, Downtown Kampus regularly hosted gigs with influential bands of the era. These included The Cure, The Stranglers, The Specials, The Only Ones, The Beat, UB40, Rory Gallagher, The Undertones, and up-and-coming Irish acts of the time, such as U2 and Stiff Little Fingers.[3]

Early releases and the 1980s

During this period, Reekus expanded beyond Cork, setting up offices in both Dublin and London. Notable releases during this period include The Blades' double A-side single, "The Bride Wore White" / "Animation" in 1982 (in the Hotpress National Poll, "The Bride Wore White" was voted best single of the year[4]) and The Last Man In Europe (chosen in 2011 as "Classic Irish Album #1" on Irish music blog Swear I'm Not Paul[4]). Other notable releases include the album Stateless by Northern Irish band Big Self, Aslans' double A-side, "This Is" / "Please Don't Stop" and single releases from The Camino Organisation and Montage.

2000s: New energy, bands and releases

In 2001, the label released the solo album from The Blades' songwriter and frontman Paul Cleary, entitled Crooked Town. This was quickly followed by re-releases of The Blades' albums Raytown Revisited and The Last Man In Europe on CD format. Favorites of John Peel,[5] The Moondogs released Red Fish in 2003 (their first album in over twenty years), and in 2002 and 2007 respectively, Reekus released California and Canyon Songs, albums by Sligo-born songwriter Perry Blake.

Several new bands were introduced to the label's roster in this period, and a string of new releases soon followed: In October 2003, Saville released Somnambular Ballads, which led Hotpress to call them "one of the nation's favourite bands";[6] in 2005, Amber and Green by David Hopkins was released through Reekus; it was given 4.5/5 in Hotpress and made album of the week on the Larry Gogan Show on RTÉ 2fm. Reemo's debut, Colours, was described as "blistering" and "epic".[7] Other well-received releases include Kaeleidoscope by Carosel, Blood Is Not Enough by Myp Et Jeep, Cash Is King by Mocrac, and Charm Offensive by The Radio, amongst many other albums, EPs and singles.

File:It Makes You Want To Spit.jpg
The Definitive Guide to Punk in Ulster

In 2003 Reekus moved into print, with the publication of It Makes You Want To Spit - The Definitive Guide to Punk in Ulster. Because of the very few venues and even fewer gigs around at the time of the Northern Irish Troubles, music lovers embraced a punk, DIY aesthetic.[8] The book was originally an 84-page fanzine, compiled and rewritten by Reekus Records.[8][9]

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary, Reekus Records released Too Late To Stop Now in 2012, a compilation featuring a selection of the acts that the label had signed over its three decades in Irish music.[10] The collection contains both well known and previously unreleased material.[1]

Recent activity: 2010 onwards

Releases, reunions and gigs

In 2010, Reekus released the debut album from up-and-coming Dublin folk rockers Sweet Jane, Sugar For My Soul, which was called "beautiful... a cohesive record, one of intriguing atmosphere and stunning depth."[11] The band have since changed their name to their current moniker Buffalo Sunn.

Named "Young Songwriter of the Year" by Irish music body IMRO,[12] Keith Moss released his debut, What Eludes You Moves You through Reekus on 13 July 2013, as well as the Torture in Paradise EP and the singles "The War Outside Our Door" and "Fat Men Have To Eat". The Daily Mirror wrote of his debut: "On their brilliant debut What Eludes You Moves You, the band hurtles breathlessly through electronica, heavy rock and psychedelic pop on a deeply dark and thoughtful record."[13]

Dublin rock band Saccade released their debut album, Force of Habit, through Reekus in 2011. As well as playing several television and radio shows that year, Hotpress awarded the album 4/5, writing, "... that's the band's forte, an unapologetic ability to craft weighty rock songs that also have that soft pop underbelly to help propel them to the masses".[14]

Deetrich released Tug Of War in 2011. The Irish Daily Star wrote, "the blend of acoustic pop and country influences is a perfect backdrop for Doyle's strong voice", and Hotpress called her voice "rich [and] ageless". Her single, "Bent Out Of Shape", was chosen by KCLR FM as their single of the week.[15]

In 2011, Cry Before Dawn released their comeback single, "Is This What You Waited For", through Reekus Records. Formed in 1982, Cry Before Dawn won the prestigious IRMA award for Best Newcomer in 1987 and Best Irish Group in 1989.

In March 2013, featuring with Electro Sensitive Behaviour, Perry Blake released the single "Michael Caine". It was another stylistic departure for the songwriter, this time seeing him move into electro-pop territory.[16]

In mid-2011, Reekus Records curated an installment of Heineken and POD's Music Future's Bright featuring two bands on Reekus's roster, Sweet Jane and Saccade.[17]

In 2014 Buffalo Sunn released their debut album By The Ocean By The Sea on Reekus Records. Produced by Grammy winner Pat McCarthy, the album debuted at #2 on the Irish indie charts, and #14 on the Irish charts overall.[18][19] The album was received well by the Irish media, receiving 4 out of 5 stars from both The Irish Times and the Irish Daily Star.[20]

Reekus artists

Artists published include:

Current roster

Past artists

Discography

1980-1990

Singles

  • All 7" singles unless otherwise stated.
  • v/a - Kaught At The Kampus 12" [1981]
  • Big Self - Surprise, Surprise / Take Me Away [1981]
  • Big Self - Don't Turn Around / Jagged Edges [1982]
  • Camino Organisation - Human Voices / Executivity [1982]
  • The Blades - The Bride Wore White / Animation [1982]
  • Some Kind of Wonderful - D'you Read My Letter / Sleigh Bells Across The Sahara [1982]
  • The Blades - Revelations of Heartbreak / Rules Of Love [1982]
  • The Blades/Paul Cleary - Some People Smile / What's That She Said [1982]
  • Big Self - Ghostshirts / I'm Keen [1983]
  • Big Self - Ghostshirts (Extended Mix) / I'm Keen (Extended Mix) 12" [1983]
  • The Blades - Downmarket / You Never Ask [1984]
  • Poison Girls - Are You Happy Now / Cream Dream [1984]
  • Big Self - Reason Smiles / Secretly // Beyond the Pale / Calanda 12" [1985]
  • The Blades - The Last Man in Europe / Sadlands [1985]
  • Big Self - Vision / Chance [1985]
  • The Blades - Those Were the Days / Stand By Me Now [1985]
  • The Blades - Those Were the Days / Stand By Me Now picture disc [1985]
  • Aslan - This Is / Please Don't Stop [1986]
  • Aslan - This Is / Please Don't Stop // Been So Long 12" [1986]
  • The Blades - Downmarket / Truth Don't Hurt [1986]
  • Montage - When I Close My Eyes / Where Are You Now [1986]
  • Nigel Rolfe - African Flower / PW Botha's Funeral March [1986]
  • Nigel Rolfe - African Flower / P.W. Bothas Funeral March 12" [1986]
  • Barry Warner - Dancing Without You / Throwdown [1986]
  • Barry Warner - Dancing Without You (Ext. Mix) // Dancing Without You / Throwdown 12" [1986]
  • Montage - Who Will Stop The Rain [1987]
  • Montage - Swansong / Closer [1987]

Albums

  • The Blades - The Last Man in Europe [1985]
  • Big Self - Stateless [1985]
  • The Blades - Raytown Revisited [1985]
  • Nigel Rolfe - Island Stories [1986]

2000-2009

Singles

  • David Hopkins - Merry Christmas My Love [2005]
  • The Radio - One Of Two Ways [2007]
  • The Radio- Satellite [2007]
  • Perry Blake - Do We Only Fall In Love (In Love Songs) [2007]
  • Perry Blake - Gemini [2007]
  • The Vandelbits - A Girl Like No Other/God Machine [2009]
  • Superjimenez - Beau [2009]
  • Superjimenez - Helicopter [2009]

EPs

  • The Rumours - When The Sun Hits Yours Eyes [2008]
  • Saville - What's Going On/All In The Mind [2008]
  • Sweet Jane - Blackboots And Blackhearts [2009]

Albums

  • The Blades - Those Were The Days 2-CD Set [2000]
  • Paul Cleary - Crooked Town [2001]
  • The Blades - Last Man In Europe Re-release [2001]
  • The Blades - Raytown Revisited Re-release [2001]
  • Métisse - My Fault [2002]
  • Perry Blake - California [2002]
  • Saville - Sonambular Ballads [2003]
  • The Moondogs - Red Fish [2003]
  • The Radio - Kindness [2004]
  • Saville - Is Anybody Happier Today? [2004]
  • Mocrac - Cash Is King [2004]
  • The Radio - Kindness [2004]
  • David Hopkins - Amber And Green [2005]
  • Perry Blake - Canyon Songs [2007]
  • The Radio - Charm Offensive [2007]
  • Sundrive - Still Here [2007]
  • Saville - Nostalgia [2008]
  • Carosel - Kaleidoscope [2009]
  • Myp Et Jeep - Blood Is Not Enough [2009]
  • Reemo - Colours [2009]

2010 onwards

Singles

  • Sweet Jane - Close Your Eyes [2010]
  • Sweet Jane - You're Making This Hard [2010]
  • Sweet Jane - Black Eyes [2010]
  • Sweet Jane - Bleed [2010]
  • Sweet Jane - I've Been Waiting [2010]
  • Preacher's Son - X For Sandra [2010]
  • Preacher's Son - Lipstick (feat. Gavin Friday) [2010]
  • David Hopkins - I Want Your Love [2010]
  • David Hopkins - Dublin [2010]
  • Sweet Jane - Where's Your Money? [2011]
  • RKCD 127 - Sweet Jane - I Wanna Be In Love [11/2012]
  • David Hopkins (feat. Damien Rice) - There Are Debts [2011]
  • David Hopkins - I Want Your Love [2011]
  • Sweet Jane - Nights In White Satin [2011]
  • Deetrich - No Job, No Money [2011]
  • Deetrich - Bent Out Of Shape [2011]
  • Saccade - All The Way To Lemkin [2011]
  • Saccade - Wastin' My Time [2011]
  • RKCD 132 - Cry Before Dawn - Is This What You Waited For [04/2013]
  • RKCD 124 - Deetrich - I'm Alive [2012]
  • RKCD 124 - Deetrich - Bent Out Of Shape [08/2012]
  • RKCD 126 - Keith Moss - Torture In Paradise [2013]
  • Electric Sensitive Behaviour Featuring Perry Blake - Michael Caine [2013]
  • Keith Moss & The Tightrope Walkers - The War Outside Our Door [2013]
  • Keith Moss & The Tightrope Walkers - Fat Men Have To Eat [2013]
  • RKCD 119 - Keith Moss - The War Out Side Our Door [03/2012]
  • Sweet Jane - I Wanna Be In Love [2013]
  • RKCD 129 - Oatlands College Choir - For The First Time - [12/2012]
  • RKCD 131 - Electro Sensitive Behaviour Feat. Perry Blake - Michael Caine - 04/2013
  • RKCD 137 - Buffalo Sunn - Seven Seas - 11/2013 [Ireland only]
  • RKCD 141 - Buffalo Sunn - By Your Side - [04/2014]
  • RKCD 143 - Death In The Sickroom - Tonight [06/2014]
  • RKCD 144 - GANGS - Daisy [08/2014]
  • RKCD 148 - Buffalo Sunn - Ocean [09/2014]
  • RKCD 150 - Riot Tapes - Cardinal Rules [11/2014]

EPs

  • Buffalo Sunn - Witches EP [2013]
  • Buffalo Sunn - Witches Vinyl EP [2013]
  • RKCD 135 - Sweet Jane - Witches - [04/2013]
  • Reekus Christmas Compilation []
  • Gangs - Back To School [2014]
  • Death In The Sickroom - Brick To The Face [2014]
  • RKCD 142 - Death In The Sickroom - Brick To The Face - [08/2014]
  • RKCD 151 - Buffalo Sunn - Ocean - [11/2014] - US & Canada only

Albums

  • Sweet Jane - Sugar For My Soul [2010]
  • Preacher's Son - Love, Life & Limb [2010]
  • David Hopkins - There Are Debts [2010]
  • The Blades - Downmarker (reissue) [2010]
  • - Too Late To Stop Now Compilation 2xCD [2011]
  • Saccade - Force Of Habit [2011]
  • Deetrich - Tug Of War [2011]
  • RKCD 125 - Deetrich - Tug Of War - [03/2012]
  • Keith Moss - What Eludes You Moves You [2013]
  • RKCD 130 - Keith Moss - What Eludes You Moves You - [04/2013]
  • RKCD 147 - Buffalo Sunn - By The Ocean By The Sea - [04/2014]
  • RKCD 152 - The Blades - Live From The Olympia - [12/2014]

References

  1. ^ a b "Compilation Review". Irishtimes.com. 2011-12-23. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  2. ^ "List of members". Irma.ie. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-02-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Colm O Hare. "Reekus in the years". Hotpress.com. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  4. ^ a b "Classic Irish Albums #1: The Blades – The Last Man in Europe | Swear I'm Not Paul". Swearimnotpaul.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  5. ^ "Irish Rock Discography: The Moondogs". Irishrock.org. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  6. ^ Eamon Sweeney. "Somnambular Ballads | Music Review | Album". Hot Press. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  7. ^ "Reemo". Breaking Tunes. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  8. ^ a b "Review of It Makes You Want to Spit". RTÉ.ie. Archived from the original on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Article about launch of It Makes You Want To Spit". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  10. ^ "Daily Mail "Too Late To Stop Now" review". Highbeam.com. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  11. ^ Richardson, Jordan (2011-04-26). "Music Review: Sweet Jane - Sugar for My Soul". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  12. ^ "Keith Moss | Reekus Records". Reekus.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  13. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20130809045602/http://breakingtunes.com/keithmossandthetightropewalkers. Archived from the original on 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-10. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Saccade". Breaking Tunes. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  15. ^ "Deetrich". Breaking Tunes. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  16. ^ "2 U I Bestow: : 2Day's Tune: ESB ft Perry Blake - Michael Caine". 2uibestow.blogspot.ie. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  17. ^ "Article about Reekus organising gigs in POD". Heinekenmusic.ie. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  18. ^ "Breaking Tunes - Buffalo Sunn". breakingtunes.com. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  19. ^ "Irish Album Charts Top 20 Week Commencing October 17th 2014 | Music Scene". musicscene.ie. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  20. ^ "Buffalo Sunn: By the Ocean By the Sea". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  21. ^ "Death In The Sickroom | Reekus Records". Reekus.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  22. ^ "Keith Moss | Reekus Records". Reekus.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-17. Retrieved 2014-07-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Reekus Records | Independent Irish Record Label & Publishing Company, Dublin, Ireland". Reekus.com. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
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