Biography
Rob Mayes’ mighty Failsafe Records, a committed independent label that is as part of Christchurch as a warm Nor-Wester.
The original home of many Christchurch bands who went on to big things, as well as a great many undiscovered gems who didn’t – as well as being a great resource for those bands who saw their material ignored on higher profile labels (see the ‘Biding Our Time‘ compilation).
Their ‘Avalanche‘ compilation (named after Mayes’ recording studio) is a classic, and a firm snapshot of quality Christchurch pop.
In 2004 and into 2005 Mayes formulated a series of reissues, archival compilations, live recording released as the ‘Retrogenic‘ series, compiling unreleased music from the likes of 8 Living Legs, Children’s Hour, YFC and a huge catalog of Pop Mechanix material.
Around this time the Electrode off-shoot electronic label was also brought about with the release of the ‘Do Robots Dream of Electric Sheep‘ compilation.
Mayes moved to Japan with his family, but continued to produce and release new and archival material on the label. In 2013 Mayes formed a partnership with Japanese label Vivid sound, who produced limited edition release of a handful of Failsafe artists (How to Kill, Beat Rhythm Fashion, Pop Mechanix and Kimo).
Artist Roster
- Alms for Children
- Alpha Cast
- Atomic Blossom
- Ballon D’Essai
- Beat Rhythm Fashion
- Breathing Cage
- Chicane
- Children’s Hour
- Chris Matthews And Robot Monkey Orchestra
- Cicada
- Crash
- Degrees K
- Delphy
- Deluxeboy
- Desperate Measures
- Dolphin
- Eight Living Legs
- Eskimo
- Evasive Action
- Feast Of Stevens
- Hiding From Stan
- Hooster
- How To Kill
- Insurgents
- J. M. Kelcher
- Keith
- Killcaliban
- Kimo
- Leadleg
- Like Angels
- Lils
- Little Dead Things
- Loves Ugly Children
- Mainly Spaniards
- Malchicks
- Mulchzoid
- Orangefarm
- Pop Mechanix
- Songs In The Key
- Southern Front
- Springloader
- Squirm
- Substandard
- Supertanker
- The Alpha State
- The Holy Toledos
- The Perfect Garden
- This Sporting Life
- Throw
- Unauthorised
- Y.F.C.
Compilation Discography
- Accident Cassette (1984, 002)
- Biding Out Time Cassette (1986, 006)
- South Cassette (1987, 007)
- Keepin’ Secrets (2005, 079CD)
- Accident Reissue (2005, 002CD)
- Biding Out Time Reissue (2005, 006CD)
- South Reissue (2005, 007CD)
- Do Robots Dream Of Electric Sheep (Released On The Electrode Imprint 2005, ELEC001)
- Keepin’ Secrets (2005, 079CD)
Contact Details
- Failsafe Records (Label Email)
Links
- Failsafe Records (Label Website)
- YouTube channel
- Discogs entry
- BandCamp page
- AudioCulture profile of Failsafe Records