Punk, DIY and the record industry: Organizational structures and dispositions

This article examines two independent record companies associated with the early days of the punk movement and considers their creation, how they developed and evolved over time and the structures that facilitated their growth and functioning within the music industry. This article also considers the dispositions (motivations and aspirations) of the individuals involved in the creation of these record companies, including the power play and politics involved from both internal and external influencers. Independent record companies associated with punk are generally considered as oppositional and a threat to both the mainstream record companies and the wider music industry, but was this really the case? This article examines how two independent record companies began and how they evolved into functioning organizations with a global distribution network. In addition, the assumption that the punk movement itself (the music, lyrics and antagonism) posed a threat to the music industry in general is examined from the perspective of the signing of the Sex Pistols to EMI, A&M and Virgin Records during the early days of the movement.