coalmine records

Down in the Coalmine: A Groovy History of the Music Genre

🎶 “It’s a long, long way to the top, if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll.” – AC/DC 🎶

Before the dawn of the internet, music discovery was a journey through dusty record stores and blurry radio waves. And nestled among the vinyl stacks, a unique sound emerged – the raucous energy of **Coalmine Records**.

This label, founded in 1987 by **Dave Tattersall**, became a haven for the punk and garage rock revival that swept the UK in the 80s. Imagine the sound of a rainstorm trapped in a rusty tin can – that’s the essence of Coalmine.

The roster boasted bands like **The Prisoners**, **The Vibrators**, and **The Lurkers**, all carrying the torch of rebellious energy passed down from the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. These bands weren’t just playing music, they were unleashing a primal scream of unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll.

And let’s not forget the funny side of it all.

**The Prisoners** were known for their energetic live shows, often ending with lead singer **Peter “The Mad” Shelley** jumping into the crowd, causing chaos in his wake. One story goes that Shelley once leaped into a pool of water during a gig, emerging a soggy, dripping mess, but still belting out the lyrics.

Then there was **The Vibrators**, whose guitarist **Knox Chandler** was once known to walk on stage with a bucket of water, drenching the audience during the encore. He later confessed that the water wasn’t pure H2O, but contained a potent blend of beer and… well, let’s just say it was a showstopper!

Coalmine Records became a breeding ground for legendary musicians and bands, their music echoing the raw passion of the times. They brought punk back with a vengeance, proving that even in a world filled with polished pop stars, there was still room for gritty, unpretentious, and above all, **groovy** rock ‘n’ roll.

🎶 “We’re a rockin’ band, we’re gonna make you dance.” – The Prisoners 🎶