GRAY / G.A.E. / GRAY ART
ENTERPRISES
RECORDS
Gray Records was a DIY label. From
1979. I'm not altogether sure what its official name was: the sleeve and
the 'B' side label both refer to 'Gray Records', while the 'crow' logo on them
is claimed to be the trade mark of Gray Art Enterprises, of London. The
logo, which is more extensive on the sleeve, refers to Phil Gray as 'sole
proprietor'; as he wrote the songs, co-produced the tracks and gave his name to
the record company it seems safe to assume that he was the driving force behind
what appears to be Gray / G.A.E's only record, a single featuring 'They're
Poisonin'' b/w 'Candelight' by Phil & The Philistines. He also sang
and played rhythm guitar and harmonica, while accompaniment was provided by
'Philistines' Steve Gibbs (lead guitar, piano, vocals and co-production) and
Dave Heard (drums). The single had two numbers on the label: the first,
79CUS-370, indicates that it was made through custom recording firm SRT, while
the numerical part of the second, TPC-25479, looks as though it may possibly be
the date on which the record was made - it splits up easily enough into
25/4/79. The copyright date on the sleeve is 1973, as opposed to the 1979
on the labels, but that may just be a typo. As for the music, the 'A' is sparse
Rock with a hesitant beat and an ecological / political theme; the 'B' is
gentler and more melodic, verging on Folk Rock. Thanks to Robert Lyons For The
Info.
79
Phil & The
Philistines
Poisonin
GRAY
TPC
25479