RTC (record label)
# RTC (record label)

RTC is a New Zealand record label which licensed recordings from overseas Independent labels in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

## Background

The label was started in the late 1970s by John McCready, Brian Pitts, and Warwick Woodward. While still a fledgling indie distributor, they had Kama Fitzgerald in their employ who had previously worked for PolyGram marketing manager Stuart Rubin. In 1980, it was reported by Phil Gifford in the October 11 issue of Billboard that as an independent NZ label they had made a first. With the artists on their label having both an album and single at no 1 on the NZ charts, it was the first time an Independent label in New Zealand had achieved this. The album at the top of the charts was Black Sea by XTC, and the single was "Food For Thought" by UB 40. In 1981, it was reported by Glenn A. Baker in the September 19 edition of Billboard that the Australian Liberation label was sub-licensing recordings to RTC. However one act Mink DeVille, was to be excluded and instead be given to WEA New Zealand, due to its managing director Tim Murdoch having a personal interest in the band. In 1982, the label's way they packaged limited edition albums and singles worked well. In a week, the limited edition 7 inch picture sleeves of the groups Heaven 17 and were sold out.

### Staff

As of 1979, the managing director of the label was Brian Pitts. The Promotions manager was Kama Fitzgerald.

## New Zealand artists

### Kevin Blackatini & the Frigids

Kevin Blackatini And The Frigids were an outfit that had a novelty hit in 1981 with "The Fridge", which was a parody of "The Bridge" which was previously a hit for Deane Waretini. Kevin Blackatini was actually Kevin Black from Auckland radio station, Radio Hauraki.

### Gary Havoc & The Hurricanes

Auckland band, Gary Havoc & The Hurricanes, had an EP/mini-album issued on the label in 1979, The credited musicians on the recording were Havoc on guitar and vocals, John Treseder on lead guitar, Gavin Beardsmore on bass, and Graeme Scott on drums. Drummer Gary Hunt had left to join the Terrorways. According to John Dix, in his book Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock'n'Roll, 1955-1988, the group have noted as being responsible for being one of the first, if not the first New Zealand band to self-finance their record and be successful with it, which had a flow on effect for other bands. They received an IRANZ award for their EP. In the mid 1980s, Havoc teamed up with singer / keyboardist Suzie Divine, calling themselves Desire. They released a record on WEA in 1985 which featured Mark Huckstep and Robbie Robertson on bass and Simon Hannah and Mark Hansen on drums.

## International artists

Some of the international artists marketed by the label include Ian Matthews whose single "Shake It" RTC RTS 701 had climbed from no 28 to 19. Others include Joy Division.

## Releases (selective)

### 7" singles

Singles :

| Artist | Title | Release info | Year |
| - | - | - | - |
| Ian Matthews | "Shake It" / "Man In The Station" | RTC RTS 701 | 1978 |
| Dead Kennedys | "Holiday In Cambodia" / "Police Truck" | RTC CHERRY 13 | 1980 |
| UB40 | "Food For Thought" / "King" | RTC GRAD 6 | 1980 |
| Men Of Harlech | "Charlie's Getting Married At Last" / "Tribute" | RTC HRH 1 | 1981 |
| Kevin Blackatini and the Frigids TM Singers | "The Fridge" / "The Winter Song" | RTC KEVS 1 | 1981 |
| Gerry And The Pacemakers | "Unchained Melody" / "Girl What You Doin'" | RTC DEB 1 | 1982 |
| Chas & Dave | "Ain't No Pleasing You" / "Rabbit" | RTC ROC 001 | 1982 |
| Natasha | "Iko Iko" "I Should Have Known" | RTC TOW 22 | 1982 |

EPs / Mini albums :

| Artist | Title | Release info | Year |
| - | - | - | - |
| James Singer, The Defenders, Culture Mark | Wicked Man, Wicked Babylon, Black British | RTC RTC 001 | |
| Gary Havoc & The Hurricanes | Havoc | RTC RTS 71012 | 1979 |
| Dead Kennedys | In God We Trust, Inc. | STAEP-2 | 1981 |

Long playing albums :

| Artist | Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| The Residents | Nibbles | RTC RPH001 | 1979 | compilation |
| The Residents | Commercial Album | RTC RPH002 | 1980 | |
| Snakefinger | Greener Postures | RTC RPH 003 | 1980 | also on Ralph Records RPH 003 |
| Tuxedomoon | Desire | RTC RPH 004 | 1981 | |
| Robyn Hitchcock | Black Snake Diamond Röle | RTC ARM 4 | 1981 | |
