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PIAS UK Burnt Down, Physical stock lost

Posted by Jakub

If you haven’t heard yet (I heard via Rough Trades twitter) that the warehouse of PIAS UK distribution(music distributor to over 150 indie labels) burnt down during the London riots, the only info I have found is the statement below, I hope all the indie music lovers out there can chip in and help out during this huge loss.

I have no doubt that if you’re here you’ll have heard the news that the PIAS distribution centre in Enfield has been burnt down during the London riots. What you may not be aware of is that the warehouse contained the physical stock for most of Britain’s Indie records labels. The subsequent loss of income and cash flow problems that this act of mindless vandalism will bring about may well be enough to push many of the smaller operators out of business.

Our aim is to try and rally the music industry, both on the artist and the audience sides, and see if we can raise some money to see those affected through the tough times ahead.

This is just a holding page at the moment but more details will be posted here as and when we have them. In the meantime, if you would like to get involved or contribute in any way please drop us an email to: piasfundraiser@gmail.com” – PIAS benefit

This distributor was home to many labels listed below

2020 Vision
Beggars
Border Community
Boysnoize
Def Jux
Domino
Drag City
FatCat
Full Time Hobby
Kitsune
Kompakt
Lex
Mute
Ninja Tune
Peacefrog
Rough Trade
Secretly Canadian / Jagjaguwar / Dead Oceans
Soma
Sonar Kollectiv
Soul Jazz
Subliminal
Thrill Jockey
Touch And Go
Vagrant
Vice
Warp
(and many many more)

19 Comments Leave A Comment

2

Anton says:

August 9, 2011 at 8:28 am

Not a total solution, but if you were intending to buy a physical recording from one of these labels buy the download if it’s available. And donate a little on the benefit site, too.

3

Max says:

August 9, 2011 at 9:19 am

One of the last things I would burn down in a riot is a warehouse full of music. You need to soundtrack your mindless display of anger somehow.

4

Eric Wise says:

August 9, 2011 at 10:00 am

Ugh. First the Sony warehouse in Japan is flooded, now this. Peace goes out to PIAS UK and the legends at Def Jux, Ninja Tune, Warp and all the others impacted by this senseless tragedy.

6

MItchell says:

August 9, 2011 at 2:08 pm

What a disgrace. I was embarrassed enough about being English before all this mindless chaos got underway. Now I’m pretty sure the rest of the world has us written off as an island full of violent, binge-drinking, looting idiots. Which, for the most part, we sadly are. This is a classic case of the few ruining it for the many. Sad times!

7

daniel says:

August 9, 2011 at 2:22 pm

I doubt it, but perhaps NME will realise now that riots aren’t the kind of public-spirited affairs that for years they’ve been promoting them as being.

8

cp says:

August 9, 2011 at 3:38 pm

this is terrible. it seems odd that it would not be insured. still a horrible incident but usually insurance covers fire from riots. I hope the little labels can get by ok.

9

greg says:

August 9, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Didnt they have insurance? How long does it take to get stock again? Dont they do fairly limited runs of albums?

10

Dennis says:

August 9, 2011 at 7:04 pm

Most of those aren’t (small )indie labels at all, and therefore would have insurances for these kind of situations. Just as PIAS, one of the largest distribution centres in the UK.

And if they didn’t, I would call that plain stupid.

11

Bryn says:

August 9, 2011 at 9:04 pm

Something like this is just such a stupid and pointless tragedy. Zero sense or thought to any consequences at all.

12

NAVIS says:

August 10, 2011 at 1:50 am

Insurance or not. Big or small. It’s just stupid and unnecessary. Might as well set fire to a retirement center while you’re at it.

14

Tim Hickman says:

August 10, 2011 at 2:53 pm

I very nearly shed a tear over this. This country appears to be officially a lost cause now that future generations appear to care for absolutely nothing other than their own immediate gain.

Damn.

16

Tony Kavadias says:

August 13, 2011 at 8:19 am

@NAVIS: maybe they should set fire to some youth hostels or liquor warehouses instead… to see what they themselves are doing to their own waterhole.

17

Jay says:

August 13, 2011 at 8:23 am

Tragic news, but on the contrary, looks like a bunch of near-major labels suffering a slight bump in their money making operations to me… Place like that would definitely have an insurance anyway, we’re just lucky that no-one died in the fire.