The label's first release in 1980 ("Where There's a Will There's a Way" / "In the Beginning There Was Rhythm") was a split single by the Pop Group and the Slits, bands which shared a drummer (Bruce Smith) as well as manager (Dick O'Dell). Pigbag's single, "
Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag") entered the
UK Indie Chart in May 1981, and stayed there for 70 weeks in total, peaking at No. 1.[1]
Y Records were eventually incorporated into Kaz Records, part of
Castle Communications. O'Dell later joined with William Orbit's
progressive house music company,
Guerilla Records, which became prominent in British progressive house music in the early 1990s, with acts such as
Leftfield,
Spooky, React to Rhythm and D.O.P.[2]
Discography
Y1: Pop Group/The Slits - "Where There's a Will"/"In the Beginning" 7" (co-released as Rough Trade RT039)
Y2: Pop Group - For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder LP (co-released as Rough Trade ROUGH 9)