Caroline Records is a record label originally founded in 1973. Initially founded in the United Kingdom to showcase British

progressive rock Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. In ...

groups, the label ceased releasing titles in 1976, and then re-emerged in the United States in 1986. The label released the work of American punk rock,

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

and

new wave music New wave is a loosely defined music genre that encompasses pop-oriented styles from the late 1970s and the 1980s. It was originally used as a catch-all for the various styles of music that emerged after punk rock, including punk itself. La ...

bands. Caroline had a number of subsidiary labels, including Astralwerks, Gyroscope, Caroline Blue Plate, Beat the World, Scamp and Passenger.

UK label

The original Caroline record label started as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), Tom Newman. It ...

from 1973 to 1976. It specialized in inexpensive LPs by

and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

artists that lacked commercial appeal. Caroline Records rarely mentioned a connection with Virgin, and some UK and European Virgin albums that were distributed internationally (instead of being manufactured in each country) named Caroline as their American distributor. The first release was '' Outside the Dream Syndicate'' by Tony Conrad and

Faust Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust ( 1480–1540). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil at a crossroa ...

in 1973. The logo was a photographic-style variation of Virgin's "Twins" logo, designed by Roger Dean.

US label

In 1983, the Caroline name was reused by Virgin in the US as the importer

Caroline Distribution Virgin Music Label & Artist Services is a music distributor of independent artists and record labels, owned by Universal Music Group. The subsidiary focuses on the distribution of new or emerging partners. Started by Virgin Records as Carolin ...

. Caroline Distribution founded the current Caroline Records in 1986. Some Caroline Records CDs issued in the US, bore the label name Caroline Blue Plate, especially Virgin UK originally-issued progressive rock records. Caroline Records was merged into Virgin Records after Virgin was acquired by

Thorn EMI Thorn(s) or The Thorn(s) may refer to: Botany * Thorns, spines, and prickles, sharp structures on plants * ''Crataegus monogyna'', or common hawthorn, a plant species Comics and literature * Rose and Thorn, the two personalities of two DC Comi ...

. Caroline Distribution was separated and became part of EMI Music Distribution.

France label

Caroline France was created in 2014 by Thomas Lorain following a call from Caroline who wanted a subsidiary in France. Caroline France renames itself Virgin Records France in 2021 following the launch of

Virgin Music Label & Artist Services Virgin Music Label & Artist Services is a music distributor of independent artists and record labels, owned by Universal Music Group. The subsidiary focuses on the distribution of new or emerging partners. Started by Virgin Records as Carolin ...

Primo Scree

Primo Scree was an imprint of Caroline Records created by Ned Hayden of the Action Swingers, who had previously been a sales rep at Caroline. Its releases included the Action Swingers' single "Fear of a Fucked Up Planet", as well as Gumball's debut album '' Special Kiss'' and

Monster Magnet Monster Magnet is an American rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded in 1989 by Dave Wyndorf (vocals and guitar), John McBain (guitar) and Tim Cronin (vocals and drums); they have since gone through several lineup ...

's debut album '' Spine of God''.

Notable releases

* 50 Cent – '' Animal Ambition'' *

Audio Active Audio Active were a Japanese reggae fusion band who released several albums between the early 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century. History Audio Active were one of the most successful reggae fusion bands to come out of Japan, and wer ...

Laraaji Laraaji (born Edward Larry Gordon, 3 May 1943) is an American multi-instrumentalist specializing in piano, zither and mbira. His albums include the 1980 release '' Ambient 3: Day of Radiance'', produced by Brian Eno as part of his ''Ambient'' ...

– ''The Way Out Is the Way In'' *

Kevin Ayers Kevin Ayers (16 August 1944 – 18 February 2013) was an English singer-songwriter who was active in the English psychedelic music movement. Ayers was a founding member of the psychedelic band Soft Machine in the mid-1960s, and was closely assoc ...

, June Campbell Cramer & Brian Eno – '' Lady June's Linguistic Leprosy'' *

Bad Brains Bad Brains are an American rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Originally a jazz fusion band under the name Mind Power, they are widely regarded as pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members have objected to the use of this t ...

– '' Quickness'' * Ben Folds Five – '' Ben Folds Five'' (under Passenger Records) *

Harold Budd Harold Montgomory Budd (May 24, 1936December 8, 2020) was an American composer and poet. Born in Los Angeles and raised in the Mojave Desert, he became a respected composer in the minimalist and avant-garde scene of Southern California in the ...

Reuben Garcia Daniel Lentz – ''Music for 3 Pianos'' * Cabaret Voltaire – ''The Drain Train'' * Cabaret Voltaire – '' Drinking Gasoline'' * Cherry Poppin' Daddies – '' Kids on the Street'' Kids on the Street > Overview

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

.com * Cluster – '' Grosses Wasser'' (CD reissue) * Cluster – '' One Hour'' *

Lol Coxhill George Lowen Coxhill (19 September 1932 – 10 July 2012) known professionally as Lol Coxhill, was an English free improvising saxophonist. He played soprano and sopranino saxophone. Biography Coxhill was born to George Compton Coxhill ...

– ''Fleas in Custard'' *

Dumblonde Dumblonde (stylized dumblonde) is an American alternative dance pop duo consisting of Danity Kane members Shannon Bex and Aubrey O'Day. History 2014–2016: Danity Kane split, formation of Dumblonde and debut album On August 4, 2014, while ...

– ''

'' *

Drop Nineteens Drop Nineteens is an American, Boston-based shoegaze band active from 1991 to 1995. They were one of the few U.S.-based bands who styled themselves on England's distinctive shoegaze sound, taking their inspiration from bands such as My Bloody V ...

- ''

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

'' * Egg – '' The Civil Surface'' * Brian Eno – '' Before and After Science'' * Eno Moebius Roedelius – '' After the Heat'' (CD reissue) * Brian Eno &

Jah Wobble John Joseph Wardle (born 11 August 1958), known by the stage name Jah Wobble, is an English bass guitarist and singer. He became known to a wider audience as the original bass player in Public Image Ltd (PiL) in the late 1970s and early 1980s; ...

– ''Spinner'' *

Excel ExCeL London (an abbreviation for Exhibition Centre London) is an exhibition centre, international convention centre and former hospital in the Custom House area of Newham, East London. It is situated on a site on the northern quay of the ...

– '' Split Image'' * Excel – '' The Joke's on You'' * Excel – '' Seeking Refuge'' * Fred Frith – ''

Guitar Solos A guitar solo is a melodic passage, instrumental section, or entire piece of music, pre-written (or improvised) to be played on a classical guitar, electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. In 20th and 21st century traditional music and popular mus ...

'' * Various artists – '' Guitar Solos 2'' *

Gilgamesh sux, , label=none , image = Hero lion Dur-Sharrukin Louvre AO19862.jpg , alt = , caption = Possible representation of Gilgamesh as Master of Animals, grasping a lion in his left arm and snake in his right hand, in an Assy ...

– ''Gilgamesh'' *

Gong A gongFrom Indonesian and ms, gong; jv, ꦒꦺꦴꦁ ; zh, c=鑼, p=luó; ja, , dora; km, គង ; th, ฆ้อง ; vi, cồng chiêng; as, কাঁহ is a percussion instrument originating in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Gongs ...

– '' Camembert Electrique'' * Gong – '' Angel's Egg'' * Gong – '' You'' *

Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by guitarist/vocalist John Rzeznik, bassist/vocalist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska. After starting off as a cover band and then developing a punk sou ...

– ''

'' *

Heatmiser Heatmiser was an American rock band, formed in Portland, Oregon in October 1991. Consisting of Elliott Smith (guitar and vocals), Neil Gust (guitar and vocals), Brandt Peterson (bass; later replaced by Sam Coomes, frontman of Quasi) and Tony La ...

– ''

Mic City Sons ''Mic City Sons'' is the third and final album by American indie rock band Heatmiser, released on October 29, 1996 through record label Caroline. Recording ''Mic City Sons'' is the band's only recording for a major label. However, when individ ...

'' *

Henry Cow Henry Cow were an English experimental rock group, founded at the University of Cambridge in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler, b ...

– ''

Concerts A concert is a live music performance in front of an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, choir, or band. Concerts are held in a wide variet ...

'' *

Hole A hole is an opening in or through a particular medium, usually a solid body. Holes occur through natural and artificial processes, and may be useful for various purposes, or may represent a problem needing to be addressed in many fields of en ...

– ''

Pretty on the Inside ''Pretty on the Inside'' is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Hole, released on September 17, 1991, in the United States on Caroline Records. Produced by Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, and Gumball frontman Don Fleming, the al ...

'' *

Bat For Lashes Natasha Khan (born 25 October 1979), known professionally as Bat for Lashes, is an English singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She has released five studio albums: '' Fur and Gold'' (2006), ''Two Suns'' (2009), '' The Hau ...

–'' Two Suns'' * Bat For Lashes – ''

Fur and gold Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of mammals. It consists of a combination of oily #Guard hair, guard hair on top and thick #Down hair, underfur beneath. The guard hair keeps moisture from reaching the skin; the underfur acts as ...

'' *

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyomi ...

– ''Year After Year'' * Idaho– ''This Way Out'' * Idaho – ''Three Sheets to the Wind'' * Jabula – '' Thunder into our hearts'' * Killing Joke – '' Killing Joke'' * Korn – '' The Paradigm Shift'' * KT Tunstall - ''

Kin __NOTOC__ Kin usually refers to kinship and family. Kin or KIN may also refer to: Culture and religion *Otherkin, people who identify as not entirely human *Kinism, a white supremacist religious movement * Kinh, the majority ethnic group of V ...

'' (under

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sony Music Publishing (formerly Sony/ATV Music Publishing) is the largest music publisher in the world, with over five million songs owned or administered as of end March 2021. US-based, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is itself owned ...

) * Jayce Lewis/Protafield - ''Nemesis'' *

Mercyful Fate Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, and with lyrics dealing with Satan and the occult, Mercyful Fat ...

– ''

Melissa Melissa is a female given name. The name comes from the Greek word μέλισσα (''mélissa''), "bee", which in turn comes from μέλι (''meli''), "honey". In Hittite, ''melit'' signifies "honey". ''Melissa'' also refers to the plant ''Me ...

'' * The Misfits – '' Static Age'' *

– '' Tab'' * NF - "

The Search ''The Search'' is a 1948 American film directed by Fred Zinnemann that tells the story of a young Auschwitz survivor and his mother who search for each other across post-World War II Europe. It stars Montgomery Clift, Ivan Jandl, Jarmila Novotn ...

" * Oh Wonder – '' Oh Wonder'' *

Andy Partridge Andrew John Partridge (born 11 November 1953) is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who founded the rock band XTC. He and Colin Moulding each acted as a songwriter and frontman for XTC, with Partridge writing and sing ...

– ''Through the Hill'' * Primus (band), Primus – ''Frizzle Fry'' * The Smashing Pumpkins, Smashing Pumpkins – ''Gish'' * Southern Culture on the Skids – ''For Lovers Only'' * Steven Wilson – ''To the Bone (Steven Wilson album), To the Bone'' * Suicidal Tendencies – ''Join the Army'' * Suicideboys – ''I Want to Die in New Orleans'' * Swans (band), Swans – ''Children of God (Swans album), Children of God'' * Tangerine Dream – ''Livemiles'' * Tangerine Dream – ''Pergamon (album), Pergamon'' * Tony Conrad with Faust – '' Outside the Dream Syndicate'' * Uncle Slam – ''Say Uncle'' * Underdog – ''The Vanishing Point''[ The Vanishing Point > Overview]

.com * Various artists – ''Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall'' * Van Morrison - ''Keep Me Singing'' (2016) * Walt Mink – ''Bareback Ride'' * Walt Mink – ''Miss Happiness'' * Warzone (band), Warzone – ''Don't Forget the Struggle, Don't Forget the Streets'' * White Zombie (band), White Zombie – ''Gods on Voodoo Moon'' (cassette version only) * White Zombie – ''Soul-Crusher'' * White Zombie – ''Make Them Die Slowly (album), Make Them Die Slowly'' * White Zombie – ''God of Thunder (album), God of Thunder'' * Youth of Today – ''We're Not in This Alone''

UK label

US label

France label

Primo Scree

Notable releases

References

External links