28 ~ Sunday, February 2u, 1993 — North Shore News Local indie label producing new bands for A&M London Smith Discs: they’ve got a studio and they’re going to use it INDEPENDENT RECORD labels are hot. By Michael Becker News Reporter Because they are inherently more willing to roll the dice and take risks on new acts they are often in a better position than the major labels to create and respond to new directions in popular music. North Vancouver resident Brian Watson, 25, is doing his bit to shape the contemporary sound- scape as vice-president of sales, marketing, promotion and publicity for Vancouver-based London Smith Discs. Since he was first turned on to the Beatles by way of Paul Mc- Carmey circa Band On The Run, Watson has one way or another made music his business. Watson grew up in Edgemont Village and in the Upper Lonsdale area. The Beatles binge caused him to pick up guitar and bass. “Anything except drums. And then one day I was banging on the sofa, the folks said, ‘You have rhythm.’ We rented a drum kis. f set my sights on beins the next Ringo Starr,” he said. By Grade 10 he was playing in local bands. Watson remembers sneaking in to play gigs at the Savoy nightclub. “They used tc hide me in the liquor cabinet; they weren’t allowed to have anyone under 19, “If t had to wait for a show, they had to hide me behind the bar. I'd be in this room for an hour and a half before we played, looking at all this booze I could be drinking.”’ He Seft high schoo! with a band and the dream of a record deal. The North Shere group, the Rainwalkers, placed well in a UEC Shiadig competition. “It was small-time, but it was really exciting because it was our first taste of downtown life. “We were going to go and con- quer the charts, but unfortunately 1 was in a car accident and did some damage to my back,"’ he said, The band didn’t slow things down and moved on. ‘I wished them well, bul a year See Studio page 29 KNOW ANYONE ON LONDON SMITH? LONDON SMITH is look- ing for nothing less than to become ‘‘one of the world leaders in the music in- dustry.”” London Smith Productions was founded as a B.C. company in 1991 to produce, promote and market records. London Smith is wholly owned by media conglomerate Vancouver Studios. Bruce Levens is president of London Smith, Brian Watson is vice-president of sales, marketing, promotion and publicity, Kirk Bentham is vice-president of A&R and publishing. Vancouver Studios trades on the Vancouver Stock Exchange as §.B. Vanc. —_ or TT my join us Sunda , y thru ~ Va for this @ Not valid cath an ey cther iter ee, eae one Couper per couple wthd Py onpantts See parry Goest Viatidatient Vancouver Studios is the opera- tor of Little Mountain Sound. London Smith sees itself as an “artist-oriented label.” Freewater, originally from Calgary, was the first band signed to London Smith Discs. Stigmata, a band arisen from the wreckage of Brilliant Orange, followed with a signing and album release. London Smith is home for Jho Nek Bhone, the Explorers and singer-songwriter Kelly Brock. The label recently signed North Vancouver-based Mushroom Trail. London Smith has an exclusive Canadian distribution agreement with A&M Records Canada. The young company initially caught music industry attention with a cheeky teaser ad: Know Anyone On LSD? fabulous offer. only... g inner s- 4 & east $14.99 « NEWS photo Mike Wakefield BRIAN WATSON, vice-prezident of sales, marketing, Promotion and publicity with London Smith Discs, pauses for the cause in the new record company’s Vancouver office. SOUP’S ON AT Sizzler Steak - Seafocd - Salad FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT | Z Amen nqnaonaananenernwene surat anneneussoneeunauesnanemensnenesaenenneeaannnseesnenen reeneewennennaenenend We feature only the finest homestyle soups and freshest salads and desserts on our STEP 1: SOUP, SALAD & DESSERT BAR. Present this ad to your server. STEP 2: Choose ANY TWO entrees up fo a value of $12.99 each. _ STEP 3: Enjoy vour mval... anv save up to $10.99. (PS. Chuuse two enrrees greater { than $12.99 each and sail recene Come experience the difference at our North Vaneouver location. Present this coupon and experience us for less! the mavimum dscouni of 310.49) Not valid Fridays & Saturdays Expires March 18th RESERVATIONS ACCEPIED OR Just Drop By. RICHMOND 8331 River Read 273-7835 WHITE ROCK $4935 Marine Drive 536-7320 NEW WESTMINSTER QO Quayside Drive 525-3474 HORSESHOE BAY 6695 Nehon Avenue 921-S188 $1.00 off SOUP & SALAD BAR REDEEMABLE AT: (2) “SIZZLER" 1 NORPAC 500 - 2601 Wesiview Drive SUPREME North Vancouver February 15 - March 31 1993, Not valid in sh value. OFFER vail: conjunction with any other ote: