{{short description|British independent record label}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Use British English|date=August 2015}} {{infobox record label | name = Best Before Records | image = 300px | founded = 2005 | founder = Anthony Shaw | distributor = The Orchard (formerly with- PIAS) | genre = Alternative rock<br />punk rock<br />pop punk<br />post-hardcore<br /> alternative metal | country = UK | location = London, England | url = [http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/ Best Before Records] }}
'''Best Before Records''' is a British boutique independent record label based in London, England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.last.fm/t/closure-of-legacy-last-fm-site-pages/186|title=Closure of Legacy Last.fm site pages|date=16 May 2018|website=Support.last.fm|accessdate=1 September 2020}}</ref>
Best Before Records's artists are generally considered Alternative, Pop Punk, alternative rock, but some also include elements of various genres of metal. Some of their most well-known artists include or included ACODA, Mutiny On The Bounty, 22, The Chapman Family, Sharks, Dananananaykroyd, Johnny Foreigner, The Pistolas, The Heights<ref>[http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/Contact.aspx - More About Us] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407131740/http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/Contact.aspx |date=7 April 2014 }}</ref> and in 2014 signing Death and the Penguin, American Fangs and Press to MECO.
325px|frameless|center|The Chapman Family
The label's functions include sourcing new artists, producing albums, marketing/promoting and securing international licensees in the North American, European, Australian and Asian markets. The company provides traditional record company services along with (for some) management, digital marketing/promotion, production and manufacturing services catered to each artists individual requirements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Before Records|url=http://www.ukadapta.com/e/music/bbrec.html|website=Ukadapta.com}}</ref>
== History == Best Before Records was launched in 2004 as part of a subsidy under the Channelfly and Mama Group corporate. In December 2009 Mama Group was acquired by HMV<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8428713.stm|title=HMV in live music takeover deal|date=23 December 2009|access-date=1 September 2020|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> who had shown no interest in this part of the corporation therefore the label Best Before Records was taken over by label manager Anthony Shaw and became a fully independent label distributed by PIAS Entertainment Group in the UK and Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.piasgroup.net/network/uk/|title=UK & Ireland|website=[PIAS]|accessdate=1 September 2020}}</ref>
After separating from its parent company, it continued to develop a strong label identity and effectively launching several new artist careers including ‘Dananananaykroyd’, ‘Johnny Foreigner’, 'The Heights' and ‘The Morning After Girls’. Taking on further bands like Sharks, 22, Mutiny On The Bounty, ACODA and most recently Death and the Penguin, American Fangs and Press to MECO.
In 2015, Best Before Records changed worldwide distribution to The Orchard and released several new albums.
==Artists== 300px|frameless|Johnny Foreigner
Artists that have been signed, or are currently signed, to the label <ref>{{cite web|last1=Best Before Records|title=Artist Roster|url=http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/Artist.aspx|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124923/http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/Artist.aspx|archive-date=22 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|UK}} Press to MECO * {{flagicon|Norway}} 22 * {{flagicon|USA}} American Fangs * {{flagicon|UK}} ACODA.<ref name="Best Before Records">{{cite web|title=ACODA sign to Best Before Records|url=http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=722&act=view|accessdate=16 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927223714/http://www.bestbeforerecords.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=722&act=view|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Scotland}} Dananananaykroyd * {{flagicon|UK}} Death and the Penguin * {{flagicon|UK}} Johnny Foreigner (active with Alcopop! Records UK) <ref>{{cite web|title=Johnny Foreigner|url=https://www.nme.com/artists/johnny-foreigner|website=Nme.com|date=5 April 2018 }}</ref> * {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Mutiny On The Bounty * {{flagicon|UK}} Sharks * {{flagicon|UK}} The Chapman Family * {{flagicon|UK}} The Heights * {{flagicon|AUS}} The Morning After Girls * {{flagicon|UK}} The Pistolas
== Releases == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Artist !! Title !! Year |- | The Morning After Girls || Shadows Evolve || 2005 |- | The Morning After Girls || Hi- Skies (Single) || 2005 |- | The Morning After Girls || The Morning After Girls || 2005 |- | The Heights || Long Way Home || 2005 |- | The Heights || Bad News E.P || 2006 |- | The Morning After Girls || The Run For Our Lives || 2006 |- | The Heights || Jamaica Beer Eyes || 2006 |- | Trailing Laces || Make Your Mind Up || 2006 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Arcs Across The City || 2007 |- | The Heights || For Real || 2007 |- | The Pistolas || Take It With A Kiss & Dinosaurs || 2007 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Waited Up 'Til It Was Light || 2008 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Salt, Pepper And Spinderella (Single) || 2008 |- | Dananananaykroyd || Pink Sabbath (Single) || 2008 |- | Dananananaykroyd|| Sissy Hits (EP) || 2008 |- | Dananananaykroyd|| Black Wax (Single) || 2008 |- | Dananananaykroyd || Some Dresses (Single) || 2008 |- | Johnny Foreigner|| Our Bipolar Friends (Single) || 2008 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Eyes Wide Terrified (Single) || 2008 |- | Johnny Foreigner|| Grace and the Bigger Picture || 2009 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Feels Like Summer (Single) || 2009 |- | Dananananaykrod || Hey Everyone! || 2009 |- | Johnny Foreigner || Criminals (Single) || 2009 |- | Sharks || Show Of Hands (EP) || 2010 |- | 22 || Plastik (EP) || 2011 |- | 22 || Kneel Estate (EP) || 2011 |- | The Chapman Family || Cruel Britannia (EP) || 2012 |- | 22 || Flux / The Pool Sessions (Double Album/DVD) || 2012 |- | Mutiny On The Bounty || Trials || 2012 |- | ACODA || Yours To Defend || 2013 |- | ACODA || Round The Sun (EP) || 2014 |- | Death and the Penguin || Accidents Happen (EP) || 2014 |- | ACODA || Truth Seeker || 2015 |- | American Fangs || Dirty Legs || 2015 |- | Press to MECO || Good Intent || 2015 |}
<ref name="Kerrang! Issue 1380" >{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Parsons |title=The 10 Best Unsigned Bands In Britain |page=11 |date=10 September 2011 |work=Kerrang! Issue:1380 |location = London }}</ref>
== References ==
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Category:British independent record labels Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Lambeth Category:Best Before Records artists Category:Alternative rock record labels Category:Indie rock record labels Category:Hardcore record labels