Reekus Records

1980s: Kaught at the Kampus and the origins of Reekus

The creation of Reekus Records originated from Kaught at the Kampus, a vehicle for local Cork bands, whose central aim was to give support slots to smaller acts at the Downtown Kampus, a regular club night in the Cork Arcadia Ballroom. Run by Reekus Records founder Elvera Butler, Downtown Kampus regularly hosted gigs with influential bands of the era. These included The Cure, The Stranglers, The Specials, The Only Ones, The Beat, UB40, Rory Gallagher, The Undertones, and up-and-coming Irish acts of the time, such as U2 and Stiff Little Fingers.^[3]

Early releases and the 1980s

During this period, Reekus expanded beyond Cork, setting up offices in both Dublin and London. Notable releases during this period include The Blades' double A-side single, "The Bride Wore White" / "Animation" in 1982 (in the Hotpress National Poll, "The Bride Wore White" was voted best single of the year^[4]) and The Last Man In Europe (chosen in 2011 as "Classic Irish Album #1" on Irish music blog Swear I'm Not Paul^[4]). Other notable releases include the album Stateless by Northern Irish band Big Self, Aslans' double A-side, "This Is" / "Please Don't Stop" and single releases from The Camino Organisation and Montage.

2000s: New energy, bands and releases

In 2001, the label released the solo album from The Blades' songwriter and frontman Paul Cleary, entitled Crooked Town. This was quickly followed by re-releases of The Blades' albums Raytown Revisited and The Last Man In Europe on CD format. Favorites of John Peel,^[5] The Moondogs released Red Fish in 2003 (their first album in over twenty years), and in 2002 and 2007 respectively, Reekus released California and Canyon Songs, albums by Sligo-born songwriter Perry Blake.

Several new bands were introduced to the label's roster in this period, and a string of new releases soon followed: In October 2003, Saville released Somnambular Ballads, which led Hotpress to call them "one of the nation's favourite bands";^[6] in 2005, Amber and Green by David Hopkins was released through Reekus; it was given 4.5/5 in Hotpress and made album of the week on the Larry Gogan Show on RTÉ 2fm. Reemo's debut, Colours, was described as "blistering" and "epic".^[7] Other well-received releases include Kaeleidoscope by Carosel, Blood Is Not Enough by Myp Et Jeep, Cash Is King by Mocrac, and Charm Offensive by The Radio, amongst many other albums, EPs and singles.

The Definitive Guide to Punk in Ulster

In 2003 Reekus moved into print, with the publication of It Makes You Want To Spit - The Definitive Guide to Punk in Ulster. Because of the very few venues and even fewer gigs around at the time of the Northern Irish Troubles, music lovers embraced a punk, DIY aesthetic.^[8] The book was originally an 84-page fanzine, compiled and rewritten by Reekus Records.^[8][9]

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary, Reekus Records released Too Late To Stop Now in 2012, a compilation featuring a selection of the acts that the label had signed over its three decades in Irish music.^[10] The collection contains both well known and previously unreleased material.^[1]

Releases, reunions and gigs

In 2010, Reekus released the debut album from up-and-coming Dublin folk rockers Sweet Jane, Sugar For My Soul, which was called "beautiful... a cohesive record, one of intriguing atmosphere and stunning depth."^[11] The band have since changed their name to their current moniker Buffalo Sunn.

Named "Young Songwriter of the Year" by Irish music body IMRO,^[12] Keith Moss released his debut, What Eludes You Moves You through Reekus on 13 July 2013, as well as the Torture in Paradise EP and the singles "The War Outside Our Door" and "Fat Men Have To Eat". The Daily Mirror wrote of his debut: "On their brilliant debut What Eludes You Moves You, the band hurtles breathlessly through electronica, heavy rock and psychedelic pop on a deeply dark and thoughtful record."^[13]

Dublin rock band Saccade released their debut album, Force of Habit, through Reekus in 2011. As well as playing several television and radio shows that year, Hotpress awarded the album 4/5, writing, "... that's the band's forte, an unapologetic ability to craft weighty rock songs that also have that soft pop underbelly to help propel them to the masses".^[14]

Deetrich released Tug Of War in 2011. The Irish Daily Star wrote, "the blend of acoustic pop and country influences is a perfect backdrop for Doyle's strong voice", and Hotpress called her voice "rich [and] ageless". Her single, "Bent Out Of Shape", was chosen by KCLR FM as their single of the week.^[15]

In 2011, Cry Before Dawn released their comeback single, "Is This What You Waited For", through Reekus Records. Formed in 1982, Cry Before Dawn won the prestigious IRMA award for Best Newcomer in 1987 and Best Irish Group in 1989.

In March 2013, featuring with Electro Sensitive Behaviour, Perry Blake released the single "Michael Caine". It was another stylistic departure for the songwriter, this time seeing him move into electro-pop territory.^[16]

In mid-2011, Reekus Records curated an installment of Heineken and POD's Music Future's Bright featuring two bands on Reekus's roster, Sweet Jane and Saccade.^[17]

In 2014 Buffalo Sunn released their debut album By The Ocean By The Sea on Reekus Records. Produced by Grammy winner Pat McCarthy, the album debuted at #2 on the Irish indie charts, and #14 on the Irish charts overall.^[18][19] The album was received well by the Irish media, receiving 4 out of 5 stars from both The Irish Times and the Irish Daily Star.^[20]

Current roster

• The Blades
• Perry Blake
• Buffalo Sunn
• Cry Before Dawn
• Death in the Sickroom^[21]
• Gangs
• Keith Moss & The Tightrope Walkers^[22]
• Riot Tapes

Past artists

• Big Self
• David Hopkins^[23]
• The Moondogs

1980-1990

2000-2009

2010 onwards