Dick Bros Record Company

Dick Bros Record Company was an independent British record label associated with Scottish singer, songwriter and former Marillion frontman Fish, whose legal name is Derek William Dick. The label emerged in the early 1990s as Fish sought greater control over the release, presentation and commercial direction of his solo work. Its creation followed a difficult period involving the end of his relationship with Polydor, disputes and legal complications connected with his earlier label arrangements, expensive touring, and the financial pressures of operating as an independent artist. The company’s name came from the Dick family’s garage business, which Fish had known during his childhood. Fish has also described the decision to establish the company as having been encouraged by advice from a medium who conveyed a message associated with his grandfather. Whatever the personal motivation, the label represented a practical attempt to create a self-directed platform for recordings and related releases rather than relying entirely on a major record company. Dick Bros. initially provided a route for live and studio-related releases during the transition from Polydor to Fish’s later independent arrangements. Its first release was Sushi, a live album issued after a series of official bootleg-style releases had appeared through the temporary Battleside label. Sushi was intended to give listeners a legitimate, better-controlled alternative to unauthorized live recordings circulating around Fish’s career. The label subsequently handled Fish-related releases including the 1994 studio album Suits, although the extent of its role varied across editions, territories and distribution arrangements. The label’s period of activity coincided with Fish’s attempt to build a sustainable solo career after leaving Marillion in 1988. He released the solo debut Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors in 1990, followed by Internal Exile in 1991 and Songs from the Mirror in 1993. These albums were connected to major-label relationships, but the commercial and creative complications surrounding those relationships encouraged Fish to take a more autonomous approach. Dick Bros. became part of that strategy, allowing him to shape releases around his own artistic priorities and touring network. The model was difficult to sustain. Fish’s extensive international touring, underfunded promotion, third-party debts and the costs of recording and operating independently placed severe pressure on the company. Following the 1997 release and tour cycle for Sunsets on Empire, Fish was no longer able to finance new albums through Dick Bros. and was effectively insolvent. Later releases, including Raingods with Zippos in 1999, were issued through other labels, and Fish subsequently operated through further independent entities, notably the Chocolate Frog Record Company. Dick Bros Record Company is therefore best understood as a short-lived artist-controlled imprint from a transitional period in progressive rock and independent music distribution, rather than as a continuing standalone label.

Dick Bros Record Company was created during Fish’s transition from major-label recording to a more independent career structure. Fish had left Marillion in 1988 and released his first solo album, Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors, through a major-label arrangement in 1990. Subsequent releases, including Internal Exile and Songs from the Mirror, exposed the tensions of working within an industry system that Fish regarded as commercially restrictive and insufficiently supportive of his artistic ambitions. After Songs from the Mirror, Fish formed Dick Bros. The name referred to the garage business operated by his family and known to him while growing up. Fish has also connected the company’s formation with advice received from a medium who claimed to pass on a message from his grandfather. The imprint gave him a vehicle for official releases during the gap between his Polydor contract and later label relationships. The first release was Sushi, a live album designed to follow several official bootleg-style releases issued through Battleside. The objective was to provide a legitimate product of better quality and presentation than the unauthorized live recordings that had become associated with Fish’s touring career. Dick Bros. then supported the release of Suits in 1994, a studio album that reflected Fish’s increasingly critical view of the music business while also allowing him to pursue a broader musical direction. Fish attempted to extend the label’s reach through touring and international promotion. The 1995 compilations Yin and Yang helped reintroduce material from his Marillion and early solo periods, while the later Sunsets on Empire project involved an ambitious international tour. However, independent release operations required substantial working capital, and Fish’s business was weakened by extensive touring costs, underfunded promotion, bad debts from third parties and the expense of maintaining his recording infrastructure. By the end of the Sunsets on Empire tour in 1997, Fish could no longer sustain the financing of further albums through Dick Bros. The company’s active period consequently ended as Fish moved to other labels for subsequent work. Raingods with Zippos was released by Roadrunner Records in 1999, and from 2001 Fish used the Chocolate Frog Record Company for his independent releases. Dick Bros Record Company remains significant as an example of an artist-led imprint created to regain control after major-label difficulties, even though its operating life was comparatively short.

• 1997

  Financial difficulties end the label’s active role

  [1]Fish (singer)en.wikipedia.org

  After the demanding Sunsets on Empire tour, losses and bad debts prevent Fish from continuing to finance new albums through Dick Bros.

• 1994

  Suits is released

  [1]Fish (singer)en.wikipedia.org

  Fish issues the studio album Suits during the label’s independent phase.

• Dick Bros Record Company is established

  [1]Fish (singer)en.wikipedia.org

  Fish forms the imprint during the transition away from his Polydor relationship. The name derives from the Dick family garage business.

• Sushi is released

  [1]Fish (singer)en.wikipedia.org

  The live album becomes the label’s first release and offers an authorized alternative to unofficial live recordings.

An artist-controlled independent imprint intended to give Fish greater authority over the release and distribution of his solo recordings, particularly live material and albums made after his departure from major-label arrangements.

• Live album

  Sushi

  Sushi was the first release associated with Dick Bros Record Company. It was a live recording issued during Fish’s transition between major-label work and later independent arrangements. The album was positioned as an authorized, properly produced alternative to the unofficial live recordings that had circulated among his audience. Its release helped maintain continuity with Fish’s touring career while the label was being established.

• Studio album · 1994

  Suits

  Suits was Fish’s 1994 studio album and one of the principal studio releases connected with the Dick Bros. period. Its lyrics included a skeptical examination of the music business and record-company culture, while the music continued Fish’s effort to move beyond the sound and expectations associated with Marillion. James Cassidy contributed to the writing and arrangements after working with Fish on Songs from the Mirror.

• 1997

  End independent financing through Dick Bros.Strategy

  Background

  The Sunsets on Empire campaign involved a long international tour, while tour losses and bad debts placed substantial pressure on Fish’s finances.

  Action taken

  Fish stopped using Dick Bros. as the principal financing route for new studio albums and sought other label arrangements.

  Aftermath

  Raingods with Zippos was subsequently released through Roadrunner Records, while later independent work used the Chocolate Frog Record Company.

  Source

• Create an artist-controlled record imprintStrategy

  Background

  Fish faced dissatisfaction and practical difficulties in his dealings with major-label structures after the early part of his solo career. He also needed a legitimate outlet for live recordings and future projects.

  Action taken

  He established Dick Bros Record Company to release Fish-related recordings with greater artistic and operational independence.

  Aftermath

  The imprint issued live and studio material but proved difficult to finance. After the 1997 touring cycle, Fish moved subsequent releases to other labels.

  Source

• Release an authorized live album as the first productProduct launch

  Background

  A number of official bootleg-style releases and unauthorized live recordings had surrounded Fish’s touring career, creating a need for a controlled and legitimate live product.

  Action taken

  Dick Bros. released Sushi as its first title.

  Aftermath

  The release provided a formal alternative to illicit live recordings and established the imprint’s initial catalogue direction.

  Source

1. 1Fish (singer)en.wikipedia.org