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| GWR Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Doug Smith, Ray Richards |
| Status | Defunct |
| Distributor(s) | Roadrunner Records (Europe), Enigma Records (US) |
| Genre | Heavy metal, thrash metal, space rock, punk rock |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Location | London |
GWR Records were an independent record label active in the UK from 1986 through to 1991.
By 1984, Gerry Bron's Bronze Records were in financial difficulty leading to a hiatus in recording activity for Motörhead. Eventually, Motörhead managers Douglas Smith and Dave Simmons bought the band out of their contract and Bron subsequently sold the Bronze Records rights onto Legacy Records owner Ray Richards.[1]
Richards then contacted Smith with a proposal for a joint venture to release new product by Motörhead, leading to the formation of GWR Records (named after Smith's business address of 15 Great Western Road).[1] In addition to Motörhead, the label mainly released product by acts associated with Smith, such as Girlschool, Fastway, Hawkwind, Tank, Atomgods and Anti-Nowhere League, and bands from the thrash metal scene.
By 1992, Smith had been ousted as a managing director of the company and the label's catalogue was absorbed into Castle Communications, which later became part of Sanctuary Records Group.[2]
- ^ a b Clerk, Carol (2004). "Chapter 22: Elric The Enchanter". The Saga of Hawkwind. Omnibus Press. p. 336. ISBN 1-84449-832-8.
- ^ Masson, Gordon; Ed Christman (8 April 2000). "U.k.'s Sanctuary Buys Castle Music". AllBusiness.com. Dun & Bradstreet. Archived from the original on 20 November 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2011.