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.

 

Nazca Lines

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.

Catalogue:

Nazca Lines - Nazca Lines (EP)

MP3s:

This Crippled Devil

Videos:

This Crippled Devil
This Crippled Devil

Hi-Res Images:

 

Links:

Myspace
Facebook
Twitter

Swound!

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)

MP3s:

Videos:

Hi-Res Images:

Links:

Website
Facebook
Myspace
Twitter

Die! Chihuahua Die!

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'.

Catalogue:

Bitch Songs (LP)
Happy Song (single)

MP3s:

Videos:

Hi-Res Images:

Links:

Myspace
Twitter

Kidnapper Bell

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

MP3s:

Targets

Videos:

Hi-Res Images:

Links:

Myspace
Twitter
Facebook