Industrial Records was a record label established in 1976 by art/music group Throbbing Gristle. The group, fronted by Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson, were to release their experiments in non-entertainment sound and multimedia through the label; in addition to a host of other artists on the periphery of the music business. The label gave a name to the industrial music genre. Industrial Records was perhaps even more important in P-Orridge's attack on the public consciousness than his band. Whereas contemporary Punk Rock bands were instantly co-opted into the music business, providing product for the teen-rebellion and fashion markets, Industrial Records output resolutely refused to compromise their stance, even to the audience they attracted. Other artists released through the label included Clock DVA and The Leather Nun, plus outrage artist Monte Cazazza, the author William S. Burroughs and a solo album by TG member Chris Carter. One of the most incongruous releases on the Industrial Records label was a version of the blues standard Stormy Weather sung by Elisabeth Welch, taken from the soundtrack of Derek Jarman's film The Tempest. Marketing was purposely anti-commercial, ironic and propagandist. P-Orridge pointedly noted that gratuitous content was a commonplace in entertainment marketing and questioned why his use of pornography, sado-masochism and genocide should be objectional in the light of their being a pointer to existing, and acceptable, ploys within the industry. Disturbing and thought-provoking imagery and packaging complemented Industrial Records output: TG's debut LP was limited to 786 copies and came in bootleg packaging, a plain white card sleeve with glued-on xerox information strips; the Industrial Records logo was a depiction of the chimney at Auschwitz death camp - industry at its darkest; and the Woolworths bargain-bin kitsch packaging of 20 Jazz Funk Greats portrayed TG as pop artists, posing in casual-wear on Beachy Head, Britain's most popular suicide location. Not content with a single live release, the label released a cassette box set '24 hours of TG'; documenting the first 24 TG live performances in their entirety. The label served to provide a record of the industry of Throbbing Gristle and their label-mates and by the time of its dissolution was one of the most successful British independent labels, boasting full-page ads in music weeklies and unfailingly selling out its limited edition releases. Fittingly, a TG 'greatest hits' album was subtitled Entertainment Through Pain. Throbbing Gristle disbanded in 1981, with P-Orridge moving on to form Psychic TV. The Industrial Records label lay dormant for twenty years, although its products, still popular to a niche audience, continued to be made available through material licensed to specialist independent label Mute and others throughout the world. Then, in 2002, the label was reactivated for a special remastered re-release of '24 hours of TG' in a 24 CD box set format. Other releases are expected in 2003.
