An independent label, which operated from 1977-c.80. Rather was owned by Rock / Avant Garde band Swell Maps, from Solihull, and most of its releases were by that band. It did better than most of its contemporaries by surviving for long enough to issue at least nine singles, the first of which was the Maps's own, 'Read About Seymour' (GEAR-1). Some singles were released in collaboration with Rough Trade, and had two catalogue numbers, a Rather one and a Rough Trade one. The discography below only covers the 1970s. The label design varied from record to record. Thanks to Steve Hill for the scan.
(http://www.hyped2death.com/MesslinersRtoZ.htm)
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.