One of a host of independent labels from the Punk / New Wave era. Under managing director Nigel Lucas ('Music Week', 10th February 1979) the Alien Record Co. released at least four singles, including two by Punk group The Rivvits: 'Saturday Night At The Dance' b/w 'The Girl Next Door' (ALIX-001; 1978), and 'Never' b/w 'Boy Meets Girl' (ALIX-002; 1979). Distribution of the first was by Spartan, while One Stop handled the second. The second, third and fourth of the company's singles were pressed in France and had injection-moulded labels, which ruined what was a distinctive label design. Another series of Alien singles appeared in 1980-81; they had a different label design, different numbering (in an ALIEN-00 series) and a slightly different company name (Alien Records), but at least one early release shared a common publisher with the singles shown above, which suggests that that label may have been the successor to this one. The 'Zig Zag Small Labels Catalogue 1978' gives Alien's address as 24 Danbury Street, London N1. Thanks to Robert Bowes for the scans of the injection-moulded labels.
Copyright 2008 Robert Lyons.