Phantom Records
| Phantom Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder |
Dare Jennings and Jules Normington |
| Genre | indie rock, indie pop, post-punk, detroit, power-pop, surf |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales |
Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and Jules Normington in 1979. Phantom Records was known not only for its guerrilla retail tactics, but as one of Australia's first great indie labels.
Phantom Records began life as a record shop in Pitt Street, Sydney, opened by Jennings on 17 October 1978. The shop had a big glass window at the front, emblazoned in large letters 'Phantom Records', and in keeping with the Phantom comic theme, beneath that, their catch-phrase 'The Big Beat In The Heart Of The Vinyl Jungle'.
From August 1974, Normington had been managing an import vinyl store, called firstly Ripple Records, then Revolver Records, in the Angel Arcade in Sydney, and while doing that, via his friendship with the members, had been roadie, 'sound guy', then first manager for Australian punk band Radio Birdman. In 1978 Normington left Revolver Records and eventually teaming up with Jennings, followed the Birdman tour around Europe (supporting the Flamin' Groovies ) in early 1978 and during this time they talked of starting a record shop, which Jennings did on his return. By early 1979, Normington was living in Los Angeles and Jennings tracked him down and asked him to buy stock for the shop. Normington's job while living in L.A. and San Francisco in '79 was simply hunting down sixties punk/psychedelic/garage/surf/mod/R&B/soul records and rarities to send back to Sydney.
Jennings entreated Normington to come back and manage the shop. He returned 9 July 1979 and joined Jennings as a partner. They soon employed Steve Stavrakis (who later started Waterfront Records), and Normington turned Phantom into a mecca for record buyers. Phantom flourished in the punk and postpunk years, specialising in "punk, soul, surf, psychedelic, sixties garage and nothing else".
In late 1979, Normington and Jennings had the idea for the Phantom label when they realised they were surrounded by talent who were as yet unsigned. Their girlfriends Penny Ward and Julie Mostyn, respectively, were lead singers in bands: Shy Impostors were about to record and The Flaming Hands had already recorded tracks, as had their friends The Passengers. Post-Radio Birdman band The Visitors had an album's worth of material recorded before their final gig in August 1979.
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