Play It Again Sam (record label)

Play It Again Sam (also known by its acronym, PIAS) is an international record label. The name comes from a piece of dialogue in the film "Casablanca". It began as a record shop in Brussels, Belgium in 1983, Founded by Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot. It now has offices there as well as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Sweden, and the United States.

Among its most prolific artists are We Are Balboa, Little Barrie, The Legendary Pink Dots, Young Gods, The Neon Judgement, La Muerte, Sigur Rós, Mogwai, DJ Format, Front 242, Soulwax, Tiga, Vitalic, Mark B, Editors, Voicst, Click Click, Stone Gods and Scala & Kolacny Brothers.

Play It Again Sam and Wax Trax! Records, the Chicago-based electronic label, formed a partnership in 1988 that led to the creation of two sub-labels: Play It Again Sam Records U.S.A. and Wax Trax! Europe. PIAS USA titles were manufactured, marketed and distributed by Wax Trax! in North America, while PIAS did the same for Wax Trax! titles in European territories. Both sub-labels were dissolved in early 1991, with Caroline Records absorbing the PIAS USA name and roster.

In early 2006 the front page of Music Week reported that PIAS was going to create a super-indie by merging with rival Wall of Sound. No further details were released to the new brand of the company, however Music Week suggested 'Wall Of Sam'.

Artists signed to PIAS Recordings

See also

* List of record labels
* PIAS Entertainment Group

External links

* [http://www.piasrecordings.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.differentrecordings.com/ Different Recordings]
* [http://www.fcom.fr/ fcom]
* [http://www.pias.com/ PIAS Entertainment Group site]

References

* All Music Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/ search "Play It Again Sam", labels, go (accessed 21 Mar. 2004).
* PIAS. "PIAS Story." http://pias.emakina.com/en/about-PIAS/history