Radar Records

A British punk / new wave label formed in late 1977 by (managing director), along with former [l=Liberty Records] and [l=United Artists Records] UK MD [a=Andrew Lauder].
[b]Label Code: LC 5454 / LC 05454[/b]
The label made its first releases in early 1978.

Funded and distributed by [l=WEA], Radar immediately signed the [a=Jake Riviera]-managed [a=Elvis Costello] and [a=Nick Lowe].

The Costello and Lowe releases were popular, as were records by three acts who were signed to US [l=Polydor] through a licensing deal: [a=The Inmates (2)], [a=Bram Tchaikovsky] and [a=Yachts]. However, most other Radar releases didn't sell well enough to meet WEA's expectations. At the end of 1979, Radar's staff was dismissed, while Costello, Lowe, Riviera and Lauder formed a new label, [l=F-Beat] Records. However, WEA kept the Radar name alive for a few last releases through early 1981.

Between 1995 and 1998, Radar was revived as a semi-indie label under the leadership of [a=Rob Collins (4)] and [a=Graeme Beattie]. They assembled a new roster that included [a=Midget (4)], [a=Prolapse] and [a=Pure Morning], the precursor to [a=Clinic].