Pandamonium!: How (Not) to Run a Record Label

Description

It's a life-and-near-death story. But whose life? And whose near-death? As a one-time NME journalist, former XFM radio presenter and the founder ofenduring homespun British indie record label Fierce Panda, Simon Williams has beenat the cutting edge of all things indie for over thirty years. During his time as managing director of Fierce Panda (a role he holds to this day),Simon was responsible for discovering bands such as Coldplay, Keane, Placebo andcountless other acts of independent hue - some of whom have gone on to achieveearth-shattering musical superstardom, while others have merely packed out theBull & Gate in north London on a wet Wednesday evening. Now, Simon's fascinating memoir - filled with insider anecdotes to entertain musicenthusiasts everywhere, from the origins of a bootlegged Oasis release to ChrisMartin's delight at reaching number ninety-two in the chart - tells the unfilteredstory of his time at the indie coalface. But it is also the story of how he tried to take his own life on New Year's Eve 2019. Documenting in blunt, matter-of-fact detail both his suicide attempt and hisrecovery, Simon reflects on his father's own suicide and the lifetime of mental health challenges triggered by that formative event. Yet, despite Simon's raw and unflinching honesty, this book is written with warmth,wit, self-deprecation and the wide-eyed good fortune of someone who has staredinto the abyss and survived, going down a few musical rabbit holes along the way.

Simon Williams is the founder and managing director of the Fierce Panda independent record label. A key figure in the music industry, he has previously worked for the NME and XFM.

'Coldplay wouldn't exist without Simon Williams. He was the first journalist to write about our band and released our first single on his legendary label, Fierce Panda. His memoir is hilarious, heart-wrenching and packed with British music history.' -- Coldplay 'Remarkable tales from both the frontline of rock journalism and behind the scenes at one of our greatest underplayed British indie labels; open, entertaining and extraordinarily poignant.' -- Steve Lamacq 'Williams is a towering colossus of indie. Pandamonium! is filled with autobiographical honesty, engaging humour and some really awful puns.' -- David Quantick 'A brilliant memoir: funny, thrilling, but also as moving as any book about music I've ever read. It's full of the same stuff as the best records and gigs - entertainment, but also a sense of life at its most profound.' -- John Harris 'Jaw dropping ... really moving. Highly recommend it.' -- Ted Kessler 'A truly shocking episode from the recent past helps turn an entertaining romp into something much more moving. 8/10' -- Classic Rock 'A dryly self-deprecating and desperately poignant picture of heartfelt endeavour and harsh reality. 4/5' -- Record Collector 'Hilariously funny and deeply moving.' * Variety * 'A sweet natured romp.' * 4/5 Mojo * 'A fascinating book for any lover of indie music and those wanting an insight into the machinations of the unforgiving, cut-throat music industry. It is also a salutary reminder of the fragility of the human condition. Most of all, it is a most entertaining and, ironically, life-affirming read written with Williams' trademark wit, gentle humour and, let's be honest, silliness.' * Louder Than War * 'Incredible... beautifully written.' -- Huw Stephens