Wolverhampton recording studio destroyed by fire gets helping hand

The special series – called 7” Singles Club – was launched to promote the artists frequenting the Black Country and Birmingham’s thriving underground music scene, and to help raise funds to find a new home for Black Country Recording Company.

The studio’s former base, in the old Marshall Pressings building on Sedgley Street in Blakenall, Wolverhampton, was destroyed by a blaze last November. Owner Jimm Zorn, from Chapel Ash, has since been borrowing space at other venues to continue his work, and there were also many bands who lost equipment such as amps, guitars and effects pedals in the blaze which were being stored inside.

The second special release is out on April 26.

DIE DAS DER formed in 2014 and have since been putting on gigs across the region – including giving modern punk rockers IDLES their first gig in Birmingham.

Their new 7" Singles Club series features “some of the brightest underground musical talents from Birmingham and the Black Country, and beyond”, adding that they are “bands and performers that really deserve more attention and support”.

Each single released features two chosen bands, one on each side of the vinyl record. At least one of the bands on each split single is from Birmingham or the Black Country, and all are being recorded live by Jimm himself at various venues.

The second release will include Birmingham’s Kendo Nagasaki and Londoners Frauds. It follows on from the first vinyl last month, which featured the debut physical releases from Wolverhampton's Victor, and Birmingham's Exotic Pets.

Kendo Nagasaki’s track - Darley Dale, Measham and Droitwich - is described as an "improvisational instrumental" that has already received national airplay on Gideon Coe’s BBC 6Music show.

The Brummie band are unfortunately unavailable, but DIE DAS DER will be holding a launch show for the new double single at Birmingham's The Flapper on the April 26 release day featuring Frauds. Also on the bill will be Wolverhampton's WMN, who lost all their equipment in the blaze as they rehearsed there and will be playing their first gig back.

DIE DAS DER spokesperson Paul Broome, also the singer and guitarist for Staffordshire band Fauxchisels, said: “The popularity of Record Store Day in our region has shown just how large an audience there is for vinyl in 2019, and there is a similarly large crowd of people who love to support local music.

“What we are trying to do with the Singles Club is to find the people who belong to both crowds, and to take them on a great journey of discovery. We want to give talented bands a chance to release a track on vinyl, which is something that many of them can’t afford to do themselves, and to hopefully reach an audience that would otherwise evade them.

“Any profits made from the singles are split four ways between the two bands featured, the fund to rebuild Jimm’s studio, and the label. Our profits go straight back into the next release, or our next live event.”

All tracks included on the singles are brand new songs, exclusive to the 7” Singles Club, and are not being made available on digital platforms. They will only be available on the run of 250 physical 7” singles pressed for each release – which will be sold at DIE DAS DER gigs such as at The Flapper next week, in their online store and at a few select local record shops. However, each single does come with a download code, ultimately providing the best of both worlds.

As well as their label and promoting commitments, DIE DAS DER is a community of like-minded musicians, artists, bloggers, photographers, film-makers and journalists.

They release music, curate and organise events – including the annual Yr Welcome all-day music festival - and encourage mutual promotion, resource sharing and networking between local acts.

DIE DAS DER have also previously released a fundraising album in aid of Black Country Recording Company. The 14-track CD compilation, Afternoon Delights, featured bands who recorded at the studio.

And on February 9 they held a gig at Muthers Studio in Rea Street South, Birmingham, to raise funds for Jimm’s rebuild project. Artists on the bill included Youth Man, Tomorrow Come the Wolves, A Pig Called Eggs, Modern Literature, and The Double Happy.

Their work has seen them nominated as Record Label of the Year at the upcoming 2019 Birmingham Music Awards (BMAs).

They can be found on Facebook @wearediedasder where interest in taking part in the 7” Singles Club series can be registered, as well as by email at wearediedasder@gmail.com

Their shop, where the next instalment can be bought from April 26, is diedasder.bandcamp.com