Press Releases & Mailings

Artist: Delirious?
Label: Furious Records
Date: 28 Aug 2002

It all started with a couple of hundred tapes sold from a wall-papering table at the back of a school hall. Now, ten years on, Furious? Records have made one of their biggest jumps forward since they scraped together the funds to rent a photocopier. With the ink just about dry on a landmark deal with Chordant Distribution, a division of EMI CMG (the largest Christian record company), Furious? have now taken the massive step of setting up as a label in their own right in America.

Headed up by Hugh Robertson (formerly GM Squint Entertainment and SVP Sparrow Records), - Furious? Records USA will market and distribute all Furious? product throughout the U.S. The roster includes all Delirious? albums (and Cutting Edge material), as well as the likes of All Star United, Graham Kendrick and other newly signed worldwide artists. Tony Patoto commented "It is great that we can cater to bands with a band's perspective, as well as a Record Company, Publishing Company and world-wide Distribution Company perspective, with the interest of breaking that band the way they want to be seen." When you consider that broadsheets such as The Guardian, The Independent and The Observer have recently given a nod of respect to Delirious' multi-million sales across the world, it's pretty clear why all concerned are delighted at the prospect.

Bill Hearn, President and CEO of EMI CMG and Tony Patoto (Furious? Records CEO) hammered out the deal over recent months. Says Patoto: "Bill Hearn and EMI CMG are the best at what they do. We have always dreamed big and now the time has come for us to walk with them wholly independent with the clout of a major." While the links remain strong between the two companies - for example EMI CMG's publishing company will still handle all Delirious?' publishing in North America as well as all other artists we sign for our publishing arm - Curious? Music - the opportunities for growth are tremendous. For Furious? the benefits are clear, and for EMI the deal brings to their shores the trademark creativity and success that has been stamped on Furious? Records since its birth a decade ago.

Back then few thought things would progress beyond the stage of home-made flyers and short-run cassettes. However, the five members of Delirious and their Manager had set up the label, and they were keen to run things in the way that they thought suited them best. What was important back then, just as it is today, was allowing themselves to be heard loud and clear, breaking away from the restrictions placed on them by a larger label. Making sure that things looked and sounded as best they could always came in as a top priority, but so did a commitment to running a business laced with integrity and professionalism.

Hearn said "EMI CMG, via our Sparrow Label Group, has been the only home to Delirious? since their US introduction in 1997. We all believe in Delirious? and Tony and this new expanded partnership reinforces our commitment to their creativity and future success here in the US."

The deal is effective from 1st October 2002 and the first release will be the brand new album from Delirious? "Touch" alongside new releases from All Star United - "Revolution" and Graham Kendrick - "What Grace", all on November 19th.