Record Label
Geoff Travis founded Rough Trade in London in 1978, initially as a record shop before launching the label that would become the commercial home of post-punk, indie rock, and alternative music. The label signed The Smiths, The Fall, and Scritti Politti during the UK post-punk explosion, championing independent distribution and artist-owned rights at a time when major labels dominated. Rough Trade remains one of the most respected independent labels in the world.
Producer Notes
Rough Trade recordings vary widely in production quality — from the deliberately lo-fi early releases to the polished Smiths albums produced by Stephen Street. The textural experimentation across the catalog makes it a useful source for unusual drum sounds and guitar textures.
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