Some background to the world of

25 Records

The Original Sin

25 Records, an overview by Didier Becu

[interview below]

Why do we all hate the boring press these days? Yeah . . they never come up with something new and if they do, you can bet there’s a big money machine behind it . . .

The underground is a world apart, loads of people are searching after that band you miss all your life . . cheers to them! And it’s not even snobbism. I’m ashamed to tell you that Kylie Monogue or Suede are great but I would fear the thought that one day I die, I will leave this world without having heard the best band ever!!! And I’m sure I will discover this through a zine from all you mighty people or through a label like 25 Records.

And listening to this CDs is a sort of adventure of having the ultimate in indieland. Each CD costs Ł6 or you can have two for Ł10, and it’s all worth the money!!!

All unknown bands who are struggling to be heard, there’s something foe everyone . . cos the label has no limits in styles. [Although I don’t think Kylie wanna be’s will have a chance, or do they . . .?]

All of them are bands who would be hailed by people such as Steve Lamacq or the DJ of DJ’s Mr Peel!!!

25 Records is your looking glass through the future and if in 2002 you will see a band on the cover of the maker, you can always impress your mates with those immortal words, ‘Oh, gosh . . I heard them in1998 on those 25 Records compilations!!!’

You are part of the underground, so why hesitate?

Review was taken from The Original Sin, issue 9, Winter 97-98 was written by Didier Becu. The Original Sin is one of favourite fanzines, write to Didier and ask for a copy, send 3 IRC’s to cover print postage costs.

The Original Sin, Jozef Guisainstraat 6, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

An interview with Mark,

the main man at 25 Records

Well, sorry Mark but you are making it a bit difficult for me cos I want to dance day in day out to new Bunnymen album and I'm bounded to my chair for writing this article! But all is forgiven cos you are running one of the best indie-labels today! So here is an interview with the man who built the world! Well no. The man from 25 records himself...

How did you come up with the idea to start a record label? I was very drunk at the party and got together with someone with the view to do a one off single.

What was the first release ever on 25 records? Red Ash and the Love Commandos single.

In fact can you tell us how the system works? Suppose I have a band and you think its quite ace and you decide to release it on your label. What does this mean for the band themselves? We contact the band, tell them about us, they tell us what they want and usually we can go ahead.

I have the idea that 25 are an indie label with a very open mind. So I think I can state that you, Mark, are a very open-minded person... I like loads of stuff, usually a lot more pop than people think.

Nasty question this one, have you ever rejected a demo from a band that has now really made it? Bis were offered a place on a single ages ago, but turned us down.

What's your fave label ever? Stiff Records were cool.

Running a small label is a battle each day I suppose. You have to fight to really make it and once you've done it, there's a danger of being bought up by a major company, not? Maybe one day, if a major company wanted to put money into 25 records then I could put a lot more records out.

In fact, do you have any respect for major companies? I respect the people I know who work at various major companies. But all too often their hands are tied by their own internal systems.

People who are into small bands are often seen as snobists, not? All snobs are a pain in the arse!!!

Is it true that the best bands are still unsigned? There are some great unsigned bands out there who will never make it which is a shame, but I've got some brilliant bands on the label. Some of favourite bands only seem to sell a handfull copies

How do you regard the press (NME,MM...)?In the beginning I had a lot of respect for them, but since I started The Original Sin, I often think: `but guys, you often hype the wrong bands! ` One man's meat is another man's poison. The press only gives coverage to those who can afford to advertise.

I have the idea 25 has a lot of respect for fanzines, not? Fanzines are ace! They can break an unknown band.

And what do you think from The Original Sin? Maybe the reviews could be typed up so that it would be easier to read but overall its ace!

Your recent release with Curious Oyster, I really do love `em and somewhere I think they could make it... I love Curious Oyster, but it comes down to cash, if I could afford to buy lots of journalists `free` lunches we could get more press and therefore more sells and more success.

Fave record of all time? `Teenage Kicks` by Undertones!

And your final words were... Buy my CDs, send me your demos, love letters, etc. Keep small labels alive!

Next joke

THE FBI REPORT

The phone rings at FBI headquarters. "Hello?"
"I'm calling to report my neighbor. He is hiding marijuana inside his firewood."

"Thank you very much for the call, sir."

The next day, FBI agents descend on the neighbor's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but find no marijuana. They swear at the neighbors and leave.

The phone rings at the neighbors house. Hey, Adrian, did the FBI come?"

"Yep."

"Did they chop your firewood?"