Stressed Sumo Records was set up in 2007 by Phil Rhodes, formerly
of Stressed Records and Neil Cooper (Therapy?), formerly of Sumo Records.
The label was set up in Derby soon after the pair met playing football
with mutual friends, some of whom were members of You Slut!. (Phil
supports Sheffield Utd and Neil, Derby County).
Stories behind the bands and how they found their way onto Stressed
Sumo Records:
You Slut! and The label go back a couple of years prior to
the release of Critical Meat. Neil had known them through playing
football with some them and also because Rich co-run Snug Recording
Studio in Derby where Therapy? have rehearsed and recorded their fan-only
webcast. Phil knew them through 2 compilations of Derby bands that
Stressed Records released and gigs that the label had put on. Both
Neil and Phil loved the band and were the most obvious band to approach
to release their debut album.
Swound! released one of their first ever singles (Disco Siberia)
through Stressed Records and when Swound! were ready to release their
debut mini-album, Phil introduced them to Neil who was more willing
to help the guys out.
Kidnapper Bell came up on the label's radar when Phil, who
was co-running a monthly gig night in Derby booked a band called Go
Faster Turbo to play. On the same night, Neil was djing at the gig.
Both Phil and Neil enjoyed their set and spoke to them about working
them in the future. Soon after the gig Go Faster Turbo changed their
name to Kidnapper Bell.
Nazca Lines' involvement with the label was a complete fluke.
One night whilst Phil's wife was watching X-Factor, Phil was surfing
(is it still cool to use the word surf?) through Myspace and listening
to bands. Nazca Lines were on of these bands. As soon as Phil heard
them he emailed their link to Neil and soon after contacted them about
releasing their next album.
The Sound of The Mountain and the label have a simliar story
to the one with Nazca Lines. The band were discovered on Myspace and
were soon on the Label's roster.
.:Latest Releases:.
The Sound of
the Mountain
The Child of Stereo in Mono
04.04.11 - The Sound
of the Mountatin album released
About Stressed Sumo Records:
Stressed Sumo Records was set up in 2007 by Phil Rhodes,
formerly of Stressed Records and Neil Cooper (Therapy?), formerly of Sumo
Records. The label was set up in Derby soon after the pair met playing football
with mutual friends, some of whom were members of You Slut!. (Phil supports
Sheffield Utd and Neil, Derby County).
Stories behind the bands and how they found their way onto Stressed Sumo
Records:
You Slut!
The label and You Slut! go back a couple of years prior to the release of
Critical Meat. Neil had known them through playing football with some them
and also because Rich co-run Snug Recording Studio in Derby where Therapy?
have rehearsed and recorded their fan-only webcast. Phil knew them through
2 compilations of Derby bands that Stressed Records released and gigs that
the label had put on. Both Neil and Phil loved the band and were the most
obvious band to approach to release their debut album.
Swound!
Swound! released one of their first ever singles (Disco Siberia) through Stressed
Records and when Swound! were ready to release their debut mini-album, Phil
introduced them to Neil who was more willing to help the guys out.
Kidnapper Bell
Kidnapper Bell showed up on label's radar when Phil, who was co-running a
monthly gig night in Derby booked a band called Go Faster Turbo to play. On
the same night, Neil was djing at the gig. Both Phil and Neil enjoyed their
set and spoke to them about working them in the future. Soon after the gig
Go Faster Turbo changed their name to Kidnapper Bell.
Nazca Lines
Working with Nazca Lines was a complete fluke. One night whilst Phil's wife
was watching X-Factor, Phil was surfing (is it still cool to use the word
surf?) through myspace and listening to bands. Nazca Lines were on of these
bands. As soon as Phil heard them he emailed their link to Neil and soon after
contacted them about releasing their next album.
The Sound of The Mountain
Similiar story to how we came to work with Nazca Lines - we found the guys
on Myspace and released their debut album in April 2011.
You Slut!
You
Slut! are an instrumental math rock band based in Derby/Nottingham The band
cite Oxes, Fugazi, Biffy Clyro, Led Zeppelin, At The Drive In, Faraquet, Medications,
Iron Maiden, Bloc Party, The Rapture and My Bloody Valentine as their influences.
The band have been featured
featured on the Dance to The Radio compilation along with bands such as the
Pigeon Detectives and Forward Russia! Tipped as on of the bands to look out
for by Rock Sound Magazine who also included them on their cover cd and have
recorded a live session for Huw Stephen's show on BBC Radio 1.
Since
2005, Nazca Lines has been piecing together songs which combine emotionally
charged lyrics and a loud post-rock/punk instrumentation. Founding members
and guitarists Cory Alfano and Brett Wedeking have stuck it out through a
number of lineup changes throughout the band’s formation and a solid
roster is now in place with the addition of Andy King and Ryan Minch on drums
and bass, respectively. The foursome writes music that draws inspiration from
a variety of shared influences; when pressed, most in the band can agree on
Refused, At the Drive-In and Fugazi. Nazca Lines has a punk lineage which
shows initially in song writing and energy; however, given a closer inspection
the listener can hear a more contemplative and ponderous side of the band.
Currently, the band is performing at local venues and summer festivals and
in the writing process for their upcoming second release.
The
Sound of the Mountain was formed in November 2008. At the end of the month,
they debuted on stage at The Godbey in Atkins, AR. A year later they began
recording their debut album The Child of Stereo in Mono. Recording was finished
the first of December 2009 and the CD was released before their 2010 tour
in August. A 2010 Winter Tour is being scheduled and a second album is in
the works with an expected release during summer of 2011.
The instrumental post-rock trance music of The Sound of the Mountain lulls
the audience in an eerie way. Inducing an intoxicating feeling live, both
guitarists run stereo setups that keep your eyes moving, all the while trying
to keep up with your ears as noises pan from the left to the right of the
stage. The rhythm guitar calls out in a voice of shoegaze underneath the lead,
mixing in post-rock and experimental verses of an ominous nature. Like looking
upon an expansive landscape, The Sound of the Mountain paints out the extensive
details of their songs, lending a soundtrack-esque feel as you listen to the
multitude of movements and choruses, each a little different than the last,
all while the bass and drums echo and clash like a thunderstorm.
Catalogue:
The Sound of The Mountain - The Child of Mono in Stereo
Hello
Future, our name is Swound!. Four brothers from the Isle Of Man whose propensity
for zombie b-movies and sick sci-fi, plus a shared genetic hyperactivity disorder,
marry perfectly with their boisterous technicoloured alt-punk and rabble rousing
shows. Growing up on the staple family diet of Cable, early Green Day and
Devo, the band went from three brothers to four when the previous drummer
left three weeks before a support slot with Madness. Youngest brother Lloyd
jumped in, learnt the drums in this short time, saved the day and became a
permanent fixture. The Staszkiewiczs headed to Nottingham where they were
signed to Stressed Sumo Records co-owned by Neil Cooper of the band Therapy?
and Swound!'s favourite band Cable. Together they made this, their debut album,
with the producer of Cable's seminal Sublingual album Paul Tipler. Tipler
has also recorded breakthrough albums for Placebo, The 80s Matchbox B-Line
Disaster, ¡Forward Russia! Reuben and Idlewild. Swound! are next in
line.
First off; the demo version of 'What's Your Poison?' found it's way into
the hands of various Radio 1 DJs who hammered the track over the airwaves.
Swound! were featured as 'Fresh Meat' on the Zane Lowe show and received praise
and airplay from Steve Lamacq on several of his radio shows. Rob Da Bank declared
Swound! as his top tip for the year and they later recorded a session at BBC
Maida Vale Studios. The freshly produced, meatier new version of 'What's Your
Poison?' is now getting it's full release on October 13th 2008, along with
national tour dates. Bizarrely the first of Swound!'s gigs was supporting
Girls Aloud at a Nottingham University party. Swound! have since played with
Madness, The Stranglers, Kasabian, Hard-Fi, Girls Aloud, Future of the Left,
The Crimea, Los Campesinos and Alphabeat.
There's something in the water on the Isle Of Man that encourages a little
lunacy. The Staszkiewicz brothers grew up next door to comedian Norman Wisdom,
as well as John Rhys Davies who played Gimli the dwarf from Lord Of The Rings.
Norman would tell tales of his youth and pretend to trip over his feet on
request and the dwarf would practice with his axe in the back garden, either
as training for the film or for something more sinister. The brothers developed
a taste for TV stardom when the eldest brothers, Tom and Joe, appeared on
the game show Bargain Hunt. They won by buying a vintage slot machine and
a silver kettle. Leather faced presenter David Dickinson said he was a big
fan of the Swound! demos. Rowan reached the dizzying heights of fame when
he made it through to the final three on The Weakest Link after giving Anne
Robinson a rendition of Swound!'s Disco Siberia. Anne called Rowan "gorgeous"
on numerous occasions. They didn't date.
Catalogue:
What's Your Poison? (Single)
Hello Future, Our Name is Swound! (Album)
We Are A Danger/HeyWomen (Single)
Predator 3 (Single)
Formed
in 2007 in Cardiff, South Wales, Die! Chihuahua Die! play a chaotic mix of
riff heavy high energy, garage rock influenced hardcore punk n'roll.
It was during the cold wet summer of 2007, that from the ruins of various
other bands, Joe Mensor & Tom Conway auditioned Paul Davies (Black Market
Movement). Within ten minutes the PA system was completely destroyed and they
knew they had found the perfect frontman.
Since 2008, the band have been recording and playing shows non-stop, their
explosive gigs have involved a hurricane of destroyed drumkits, broken guitars,
blood and good times. In 2008, the band recorded their first demo, this quickly
attracted attention and received lots of airplay from local and national radio
including BBC Radio 1 & XFM. During 2009, after other failed attempts
at recruiting a permanent suitable fourth member, Marc Real (ex-Johnny Mental/Ashokan)
joined on bass.
Having established themselves as one of the bands to watch in 2010, Die!
Chihuahua Die! are unique amongst the current crop of bands coming from South
Wales. Recent reviews have drawn comparisons with bands such as The Bronx,
Every time I die, Fucked up, Cancer Bats & 80s Matchbox. Die! Chihuahua
Die! have bloodied the stage with many other bands, including Astpai, Attack!
Vipers!, The Arteries, Solutions, Black Cesar, Outcry Collective, Rat Attack,
The Cumshots and many more.
In the words of Die! Chihuahua Die!, 'There is no agenda, just good times'.
Kidnapper
Bell is an Anglo-American four piece from the West Midlands. Guitarist Liam,
bassist Jenny, and drummer Elliot are all from the Birmingham area. Vocalist
Keith is originally from Washington, DC in the US.
They released their first EP, "Less Me More Sky", in June 2008
and gained attention through self-organized shows, and by supporting bands
such as Data Select Party, Johnny Foreigner, Tellison, and Tubelord.
With influences among the members ranging from early REM, This Town Needs
Guns, The Replacements, Led Zeppelin, Youthmovies, Piebald, Joni Mitchell
and Pavement, Kidnapper Bell is a band with a million heads worth of ideas,
and the patience to create songs that are unique, accessible, and entirely
their own.
Catalogue:
The Great Outdoors (LP)
The Great Outdoors (Single)
An Evening (Single)
Mouful of Pennies
'Pledge:
A Tribute to Kerbdog' is a tribute album to Irish rock band Kerbdog. Despite
splitting up in 1998 and only recording two albums, the band has influenced
many present day bands. This album mixes up and coming rock bands with more
established acts such as Frank Turner, Jamie Lenman (Reuben) and Dave McPherson
(InMe). The album also features sleeve notes from legendary producers Jack
Endino and GGGarth Richardson who worked on Kerbdog's two albums. Furthermore,
the album also contains notes from Kerbdog's Cormac Battle, Simon Young (Kerrang),
Ken McGrath (Rock Sound), Edwin McFee (NME & Alternative Ulster).
This album is a tribute to a band that never received the
acclaim or attention they deserved. A sentiment shared by the journalists
and bands involved with the album. Further notes from the bands can be found
at www.pledgeatributetokerbdog.com.
Kerbdog:
The band was formed in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1991, recording 2 albums before
splitting. In 1993, the band recorded their first album 'Kerbdog' with Jack
Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden). Their follow-up album 'On The Turn' was in
1996 with GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Biffy Clyro). However,
due to repeated delays the album wasn't released until Spring 1997, killing
all momentum the band had gained. The band was subsequently dropped and their
back catalogue deleted before the year was out. The following year they disbanded.
Between 2005 and 2008 they have reformed to do a number of one-off shows.
Famous for blending a mix of big-heavy-catchy riffs with
melodic choruses, Kerbdog, are without question one of my favourite bands
and are most definitely one of the most underrated bands, ever. In my opinion
'On the Turn' still remains a lost masterpiece that too few have had the pleasure
of hearing. I hope this album goes a small way to showing how much Kerbdog's
music has been appreciated by many bands of today and introduces their music,
with the bands on this album, to a new audience.
Hello
Future, our name is Swound!. Four brothers from the Isle Of Man whose propensity
for zombie b-movies and sick sci-fi, plus a shared genetic hyperactivity disorder,
marry perfectly with their boisterous technicoloured alt-punk and rabble rousing
shows. Growing up on the staple family diet of Cable, early Green Day and
Devo, the band went from three brothers to four when the previous drummer
left three weeks before a support slot with Madness. Youngest brother Lloyd
jumped in, learnt the drums in this short time, saved the day and became a
permanent fixture. The Staszkiewiczs headed to Nottingham where they were
signed to Stressed Sumo Records co-owned by Neil Cooper of the band Therapy?
and Swound!'s favourite band Cable. Together they made this, their debut album,
with the producer of Cable's seminal Sublingual album Paul Tipler. Tipler
has also recorded breakthrough albums for Placebo, The 80s Matchbox B-Line
Disaster, ¡Forward Russia! Reuben and Idlewild. Swound! are next in
line.
Formed
in 2007 in Cardiff, South Wales, Die! Chihuahua Die! play a chaotic mix of
riff heavy high energy, garage rock influenced hardcore punk n'roll.
