User:AubreySimpson/Future Legend Records (independent label)

Future Legend Records
Future Legend Records is a UK indie record label founded in 1992 by former D.J., record producer and songwriter Russell C. Brennan (aka Russell C. Writer). It was intended as a creative outlet for Brennan, to allow release of previously recorded material, to promote his band Box Office Poison and to break new up and coming bands and artists into the music scene in the UK and worldwide. Future Legend Records was partly named after Future Legend, the opening track of David Bowie's 1974 album Diamond Dogs and partly to promote the company’s mission to find and introduce artistic legends of the future. Russell C. Brennan is a published author of a reference work for musicians and artists.

Future Legend Records is a productive independent label that has made regular releases over the years (see Release Discography). The label variously had distribution contracts with Sony, Target/BMG, SRD (Southern Records Distribution), Greyhound (now fMinor), One Stop Records, Caroline Exports, Windsong/Pinnacle, Universal, IODA (Independent Online Distribution Alliance) and Code 7 Music/Storm Warning Entertainment. Some limited edition releases were manufactured and distributed by the label on direct mail order to the customer. The label gained a number one hit in Italy but did not gain a chart hit in the UK. From 1993-1996 and again from 2001-2003 Future Legend Records was plagued by distribution problems. The most successful partnership was with the independent music distributer Windsong/Pinnacle (a part of the Zomba Group of Companies) from 1996-2000, which resulted in a particularly productive period for the label.

Future Legend Records is owned by backer/investor A Bygrave. A&R, record production and day to day management is handled by Russell C. Brennan.

Background
Under his previous Waterloo Sunset Records label, Russell C Brennan had recorded a TV and film themes covers album Themes from the 60s Vol.1 to showcase many new up and coming artists by re-recording well known TV and film themes. Two tracks from his main Waterloo Sunset act Eleanor Rigby were included: You Only Live Twice and Up The Junction. Waterloo Sunset Records folded due lack of funds before the album could be released on that label.

Future Legend Records released the Themes From the 60’s Vol 1 album and a futher three singles (see Release Discography) through a pressing & distribution deal with Sony from 1993-1994. The Eleanor Rigby single You Only Live Twice was released in 1993, reaching number one in Italy. Airplay in the UK was good but slow distribution hit sales and the single did not chart there. The label parted company with Sony in 1994 after conflicts over poor distribution, missing stock and escalating charges.

Several distributer changes occured between 1994-1996. Five albums and one single were released during this time (see Release Discography). The label signed a 4 year pressing and distribution contract with Windsong/Pinnacle in 1996. In Windsong/Pinnacle, the largest independent music distributor in the UK, they found the best match for their music and made nine releases under contract to the company between 1996-1999. This included two further themes compilation albums (see Release Discography). Shortly after signing with Windsong/Pinnacle 75% of the distributor was purchased by the Zomba Group of Companies. . Future Legend’s distribution contract with WindSong/Pinnacle was upheld after the partial Zomba Group buy out. (Zomba has had several splits and name changes since )

In 1997 Brennan (working as R C Writer) was commissioned by Dr Martens Records (Dr Martens: R. Griggs Group) to compile and produce the multi-artist Generation to Generation promotional album This was on a similar format to the Themes cover albums he had become known for. The album promoted both old and new acts that were an influence on British music, including The Lambrettas and The Untouchables. A final total of 20,000 copies of the album were distributed in the UK by Dr Martens through their outlets. Future Legend artists, Box Office Poison, Mouse, Misty Woods, Eleanor Rigby and Ministry of Ska all contributed tracks to the album. A promised funded promotion and signing of Box Office Poison to Dr Martens Records did not occur, due to cut backs and internal reorganisation (Brennan: personal communication). After the release of two albums and six singles and many contributions to the themes and compilation albums during 1993-1998, Box Office Poison was eventually disbanded without having broken the UK record charts.

Future Legend Records’ contract with Zomba Group expired in early 2000 and by mutual agreement a new contract was not signed. (Zomba were not on the same wavelength as an independent label such as this, then having internationally acclaimed acts such as Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and N’Synch

In 2000 the label secured an multi-outlet internet download distribution contract with the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) and began releasing some of the back catalogue on download.

Future Legend Records secured a distribution contract in 2001 for their sixth themes album Cult Themes from the 80’s on CD format with Universal. Distribution was poor and the album did not sell well. This was the last release on the label until 2007.

Future Legend’s producer Russell C Brennan was nominated for Music Week's UK Record Producer of the Year in 2002 for his contributions to music, particularly the production on Cult Themes from the 80’s.

New Ownership
In 2003 the ownership of Future Legend Records was taken over by financial backer A Bygrave. In 2007 the remainder of the back catalogue was released on download through IODA. Using the download format, several new releases were made during 2007-2010, including two previously recorded but unreleased Box Office Poison singles.(see Release Discography)

Brennan’s new band Psykick Holiday’s debut album Forever Pop Noir was released in CD format in late 2010 through Code7/Storm Entertainment, the first release of physical product to the shops since Cult Themes from the 80’s in 2001.

Future Legend Records continues to be involved with innovative production and the support of new artists. The back catalogue has been made available for licensing. A new website was commissioned in 2010 and the label moved into the ringtone download market in 2011. (See Future Legend Records website for details).

Release Discography

 * 1) Themes from the 60s Vol.1 album by Various Artists (1993) distributed by Sony
 * 2) You Only Live Twice single by Eleanor Rigby (1993) distributed by Sony. Number One chart placing in Italy.
 * 3) 1995/Checkmate single by Box Office Poison (1993) distributed by Sony
 * 4) Bad Bad Girl single by Moonchild (1993) distributed by Sony
 * 5) Themes from the Sixties Vol.2 album (1994) distributed by Target/BMG
 * 6) Best of Eleanor Rigby Vol.1 album (1994) distributed by Target/BMG
 * 7) Mysteries by Box Office Poison single (1995) distributed by Southern Records Distribution
 * 8) Themes from the 60s Vol 3 album (1995), distributed by Greyhound (now fMinor)
 * 9) Rarin’ To Go album by Ministry of Ska (1995) distributed by One Stop Records
 * 10) Best of Eleanor Rigby Vol.2 album by Eleanor Rigby (1996) distributed by One Stop Records
 * 11) Beyond the Twilight Zone album by Box Office Poison (1996) on export via Caroline Exports
 * 12) Beyond the Twilight Zone album by Box Office Poison (1996) UK distribution by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 13) Love on the Phone/Play with Fire vinyl single (1997) by Eleanor Rigby distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 14) Love on the Phone/Play with Fire/Wallpaper Man/Mod Boy CD EP by Eleanor Rigby & Misty Woods (1997) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 15) Cult Themes from the 70’s Vol 1 album by Various Artists (1997) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 16) The Waterloo Sunset Story album by Various Artists (1997) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 17) Teenage Sex/Alien single by Box Office Poison (1997) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 18) Think For Yourself/Lady Grinning Soul single by Box Office Poison (1997) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 19) Heavy Breathing Decade album by Box Office Poison (1998) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 20) Cult Themes from the Seventies Vol.2 by Various Artists (1999) distributed by Windsong/Pinnacle(Zomba Group)
 * 21) Mirror Image album by Mouse (1999) distributed by FLR (mail order) and IODA (download)
 * 22) Stirred not Shaken album by Various Artists (1999) distributed by FLR (mail order)
 * 23) The Future Legend Story album by Various Artists (2000) distributed by FLR (mail order)
 * 24) That Instrumental Vibe album by Various Artists (2000) distributed by IODA
 * 25) Cult Themes from the 80’s album by Various Artists (2001) distributed by Universal Music Group
 * 26) The Themes Bond… James Bond (The Alternative Bond Themes) album by Various Artists (2008) distributed by IODA
 * 27) Eleanor Rigby Live album by Eleanor Rigby (2008) distributed by IODA
 * 28) Popcorn single by Box Office Poison (2009) distributed by IODA
 * 29) The Legend of Xanadu single by Box Office Poison (2009) distributed by IODA
 * 30) Sex on the Internet single by Pop Noir/Psykick Holiday (2009) distributed by IODA
 * 31) Mod tunes: Three Button Legacy album by Various Artists (2010) distributed by IODA
 * 32) My Two Minds Are Eight Miles High album by The Babysitars (2010) distributed by IODA
 * 33) Another Number album by Carmel Morris (2010) distributed by IODA
 * 34) That Instrumental Vibe album by Various Artists (2010) distributed by IODA
 * 35) Forever Pop Noir CD album by Psykick Holiday (2010) distributed by Code 7 Music/Storm Warning Entertainment
 * 36) Forever Pop Noir album by Psykick Holiday (2010) distributed by IODA

Artists
The Grave, Studio 68, The Editors, Kitch, Ministry of Defiance, Eleanor Rigby, A Beatboy, C.B.U., Perestroika, Waterloo Sunset Allstars

Track Listing
The Avengers, To Sir With Love, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Prisoner, Man in a Suitcase, Up the Junction, You Only Live Twice, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission Impossible, Captain Zeppo, Stingray, The Addams Family, Batman

Artists
Ministry of Ska, Moonchild, Summer, Adventures of Parsley, Future Legend Allstars, Box Office Poison, Earthling Scum, Jo Sharp

Track Listing
The Saint, Bad Bad Girl (I've Been A Bad Bad Boy from Privilege), Joe 90, Casino Royale, Dr Who, The Ipcress File, The Munsters, Dangerman, Captain Scarlet, Barbarella, Thunderball, All Too Much (Yellow Submarine)

Artists
Box Office Poison, Mouse, Ron Rage, Chelsea Monday, Megiddo, Surfin Dead, The Federation, Jo Sharp, Future Legend Allstars, Earthling Scum, Ministry of Ska

Track Listing
Department S, From Russia With Love, The Pink Panther, The Happening, For a Few Dollars More, Georgy Girl, Thunderbirds, Star Trek, Windmills Of Your Mind, Randell & Hopkirk, The Beverly Hillbillies, Self Preservation Society, Rawhide

Artists
The Bruce Li Foundation, Box Office Poison, The Incredibly Strange Film Band, Monkey, The Lambrettas, Earthling Scum, Mouse, Misty Woods, Ministry of Ska

Track Listing
UFO, The Persuaders, Get Carter, Diamonds Are Forever, The Sweeney, Shaft, Superfly, Starsky & Hutch, The Professionals, Nobody Does It Better (The Spy Who Loved Me), Five Fifteen (Quadrophenia), Hawaii 5-0, The Chase (Midnight Express)

Artists
Box Office Poison, Ambassadors of Om, The Honeycombs, UNCLE, The Incredibly Strange Film Band, Joan Martin, E.L.B.O.W., Glenda Collins, Digital Lemon, Misty Woods, Illegal Immigrant, MoneyPenny

Track Listing
(Come) Maddalena, Space 1999, Live And Let Die, The Adventurer, Magnum Force (Dirty Harry 2), Moonraker, Streets of San Francisco, Avenues and Alleyways (The Protectors), Clockwork Orange, Enter the Dragon, The Way Love Used To Be (Percy), The Rockford Files, Man With The Golden Gun, Assault on Precinct 13, The Deep

Artists
Phosphoric, Celebrate The Sun, Once More Into The Bleach, 2oon, Box Office Poison, The Soul Detectives, Girl Called Max, The Incredibly Strange Film Band, Carmel Morris, Lumiere Noir, Misty Woods, Pop Noir, Box Office Poison

Track Listing
Cat People, When Doves Cry (Purple Rain), For Your Eyes Only, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Call Me (American Gigolo), Peter Gun (Blues Brothers), Pretty In Pink, The A Team/Hillstreet Blues, The Living Daylights, Dynasty, This Is Not America (Falcon & The Snowman), Alien, Bladerunner

Links

 * Future Legend Records
 * Mouse on Myspace
 * Eleanor Rigby on MySpace
 * Box Office Poison on MySpace
 * Psykick Holiday on MySpace
 * Ministry of Ska on MySpace
 * The Babysitars on MySpace
 * Once More Into The Bleach
 * Review of Carmel Morris album Another Number