Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass. Fierce Panda is also credited with releases by Coldplay, Astronaut, Air Traffic, Seafood, Art Brut, Embrace, Kenickie, The Blackout, Keane, Death Cab for Cutie, The Polyphonic Spree, Boy Kill Boy, Placebo, Shitdisco, Goldheart Assembly, and Acres of Lions.
In the autumn of 1997, Fierce Panda formed the sub-label Rabid Badger Records to release more dance oriented music, and in spring 1998 the sub-label Livid Meerkat for post-rock music.
Fierce Panda is especially known for compilation albums and EPs, whose titles are mainly puns, often in-jokes. In 2006 they announced their decision to cease production of one-off singles, concentrating instead on long-term projects and full-length albums. Dead Disco's 2006 single "Automatic" was announced as the final single. However, as of 2009, the label is again releasing music, such as March 2009's "Vivian, Don't" by The Spinto Band, and the debut album from Hatcham Social. On March 21st 2011, the label are releasing the debut album 'Chasing After Ghosts' by The Crookes.
Their Wibbling Rivalry single, an interview with Oasis' Liam and Noel Gallagher, holds the record for the highest-charting interview single, reaching #52 in November 1995.
Fierce Panda's highest-charting single was Modern Art by Art Brut, which reached #41, missing out on the Top 40 by a mere two sales.
2008 saw Fierce Panda set up its management stable which currently includes The Molotovs, Ruling Class, Capital, Four Dead in Ohio and The Author.
Fierce Panda Records has its own customised content channel on Audiotube.
Famous quotes containing the words fierce and/or records:
“How deep is our desire to do better than our mothers—to bring daughters into adulthood strong and fierce yet loving and gentle, adventurous and competitive but still nurturing and friendly, sweet yet sharp. We know as working women that we can’t quite have it all, but that hasn’t stopped us from wanting it all for them.”
—Anne Roiphe (20th century)
“Although crowds gathered once if she but showed her face,
And even old men’s eyes grew dim, this hand alone,
Like some last courtier at a gypsy camping-place
Babbling of fallen majesty, records what’s gone.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)