A Twickenham-based independent label from the Punk / New Wave era, owned by Pete Townshend. Eel Pie started out in 1970 as a studio and a production company, and moved into the field of publishing in 1977. Reportedly Townshend viewed the Punk phenomenon with a sympathetic eye, seeing in it much the same sort of anger which had fuelled some of The Who's work. Perhaps as a result, Eel Pie put out three singles, all in a Punk / New Wave vein, by The Skunks, No Sweat, and Straight Eight, all of them in 1978. They were numbered in an EPS-000 series. The first two singles had labels of a simple design, with the band's name either accompanied by a picture (1, 2) or in a dedicated font. The third was more adventurous and featured a pie (3). Pressing of the first two was by Orlake. The company still exists today, mainly as a vehicle for Townshend's own music. Thanks to James Denholm for the first two scans.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.