Rough Trade Records to release 7” singles Box Set to celebrate its formative years

Boasting eight classic 45s that followed the label’s formation out the original Rough Trade shop in West London in 1978, Rough Trade 45s: Volume 1 features the likes of Augustus Pablo, The Raincoats and Young Marble Giants.

The eight singles, which have been recreated especially for this edition, were handpicked by Rough Trade Records co-MDs, Jeannette Lee and Geoff Travis, who were key players in the DIY nexus that formed around the first Rough Trade shop in the late 1970s. “There wasn't much commercial thinking behind starting a label out of the first Rough Trade shop, not much planning,” recalls Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records’ beginnings. “We were just doing things out of love really.”

Accompanying the singles, a new long-form conversation between the pair serves as the sleeve notes for the release, which is illustrated with exclusive archive photography, new quotes from the artists themselves and notable fans.

“I used to shop at Rough Trade before I joined the label and everyone knew it was the place to go to find interesting music,” explains Jeannette Lee of the memories that influenced their track selection, “Geoff and I just sat down and the tracks just came to us like that! We're celebrating 45-plus years of the label, and we could easily have picked 45 seven-inches. There have been so many good singles!”

A second volume of 45s will follow later this year, covering the years 1980 to 1993 and is set to include music from the likes of Mazzy Star, Scritti Politti, Jonathan Richman, The Sundays and more.

Tracklist:

Augustus Pablo – Pablo Meets Mr Bassie

B-side Mr Bassie Special!

RT002 (1978)

Stiff Little Fingers – Alternative Ulster

B-side 78 Revolutions A Minute (78RPM)

RT004 (1978)

Subway Sect – Ambition

B-side Different Story

RT007 (1978)

Swell Maps – Read About Seymour

B-sides Ripped & Torn and Black Velvet

RT010 (1978)

The Raincoats – Fairytale In The Supermarket

B-sides In Love & Adventures Close To Home

RT013 (1979)

Cabaret Voltaire Nag Nag Nag

B-side Is That Me (Finding Someone At The Door Again?)

RT018 (1979)

The Pop Group – We Are All Prostitutes

B-side Amnesty International Report On British Army Torture Of Irish Prisoners

RT023 (1979)

Young Marble Giants – Final Day

Second track on A side Radio Silents B-side Cakewalking

RT043 (1980)