Imaginary Records was an independent record label based in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was started in 1985 by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree's first two albums, On the Sunday of Life and Up the Downstair, and Andy Hopkins.[1][2][3]
The label released many albums by the Chameleons and related bands, including the Reegs, and Mark Burgess' Zima Junction.[4]
The label also released a number of artist tribute albums,[5] on which contemporary acts recorded cover versions of influential artists such as Captain Beefheart, the Velvet Underground, the Byrds, Syd Barrett, the Kinks, and Nick Drake, leading to Duffy being described as a "tribute entrepreneur".[3][6][7][8] Contributors to this series of albums included Sonic Youth, the Membranes, Nirvana, Echo & the Bunnymen, XTC, Dinosaur Jr., Ride, Screaming Trees and Buffalo Tom. The albums were released in the US by Communion Records.[3]