Creation
Pressing Play
Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we spotlight Creation Records, the indie label that served as the engine behind Britpop's meteoric rise. From Oasis’s soaring anthems to Ride’s textured soundscapes, Creation Records helped transform Britpop from a local movement to a global phenomenon.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signaled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Founded: 1983
Founders: Alan McGee, Dick Green, Joe Foster
Defunct: 1999
Primary focus: Indie rock, shoegaze, Britpop
Key Britpop acts: Oasis, Ride, Teenage Fanclub, Heavy Stereo, Hurricane #1
Location: London, England
Formation and Early Years
Creation Records was founded in 1983 by Alan McGee, Dick Green, and Joe Foster, with the mission of championing underground music.
McGee financed the label with a £1,000 loan, inspired by the DIY ethos of punk and his love for alternative music.
Early successes included The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, and Felt, establishing Creation as a critical player in the indie music scene.
The label was initially run out of The Living Room, McGee’s London club, which became a gathering point for emerging bands and creatives.
Rise to Prominence
Creation Records evolved from an indie mainstay to a powerhouse by the early 1990s, playing a pivotal role in the Britpop explosion.
Alan McGee famously discovered Oasis at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow in 1993, signing them immediately.
Oasis’s debut album, Definitely Maybe (1994), shattered records as the fastest-selling UK debut album, cementing Creation’s position in the Britpop story.
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) elevated Oasis to global superstardom, delivering iconic tracks like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
Ride’s Carnival of Light (1994) and Teenage Fanclub’s Grand Prix (1995) showcased Creation’s broader Britpop roster, with melodic, guitar-driven sounds central to the movement.
Commercial Success and Albums
Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995): The definitive Britpop album, packed with chart-topping hits and generational anthems.
Ride – Carnival of Light (1994): A lush, shoegaze-inspired record that bridged the gap between indie and Britpop.
Teenage Fanclub – Grand Prix (1995): A masterclass in harmony-rich guitar pop that resonated with Britpop’s melodic core.
Later Activities and Legacy
Creation Records ceased operations in 1999, with Primal Scream’s XTRMNTR marking its final release.
Alan McGee became a cultural figure during the Cool Britannia era, aligning with New Labour and advocating for policies supporting artists.
Creation’s story was immortalized in the documentary Upside Down: The Creation Records Story (2010).
The label’s ethos lives on in McGee’s subsequent ventures, such as Poptones and Creation23, which carry forward its commitment to unearthing raw talent.
Notable Facts
Oasis’s Discovery: Alan McGee discovered Oasis at an unannounced gig in Glasgow, signing them on the spot—a pivotal moment for both the band and the label.
Financial Struggles: Creation nearly folded after funding My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless (1991), a two-year project that left the label in debt.
Cultural Influence: Creation Records was at the forefront of Cool Britannia, with McGee serving as a bridge between the indie scene and mainstream culture.
Defining Lyric
"You and I are gonna live forever." — Live Forever (1994)
Discography Highlights
Essential Britpop Albums Released by Creation:
Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
Ride – Carnival of Light (1994)
Teenage Fanclub – Grand Prix (1995)
Heavy Stereo – Déjà Voodoo (1996)
Essential Listening
"Wonderwall" (1995): The Britpop anthem that became a global phenomenon.
"Step into My World" (1997): Hurricane #1’s majestic, uplifting contribution to the Britpop canon.
"Vapour Trail" (1990): Ride’s shimmering, atmospheric prelude to Britpop.
Why You Should Be Listening Now
Creation Records was the backbone of Britpop, amplifying its sound and ethos to the world. Its roster shaped a generation, and its legacy echoes in every indie anthem today.
See you on down the road.
