We meet Biff, head of the Exeter breaks label, to find out what makes the imprint tick…
When did you set up Functional?
We started Beatz & Bobz in 1997, and it was one of the first breaks clubs in the UK. Functional followed in 1999. I’d been given a demo by a local artist Spoon Wizard, and I sent it to Rennie Pilgrem who said nice things about it and suggested we set up a label ourselves – and we did. So Rennie, you owe me a fortune!
What’s been your biggest seller?
Dreadzone’s Once Upon A Time In Jamaica on vinyl, and the album of the same name. That was the record that marked the rebirth of the band. It’s still one of my proudest moments, taking them from having a load of demos and not knowing what was happening to seeing them headline Glastonbury’s dance stage two years later. Oh yeah, and the album art was superb.
What’s the hardest thing about running a label?
Keeping the quality up and making it pay for itself. I never drew a wage from the label, but it opened lots of doors.
What’s been the worst moment in Functional’s history?
There were three worse moments – when we had three distributers go bust on us costing us more that £20k. I’d rather have had the money in my pocket.
What are Functional’s plans for the next 12 months?
There are major changes coming for us. With the demise of vinyl, we are looking at a different approach, using the music to push artists forward in a different way – but I can’t really go into it yet…
How do you go about tracking down new artists to sign?
Usually word of mouth from our acts. New boy on the label Jinx In Dub has great promise, and our rock-steady residents Ben & Lex are making some great music.
Any advice for any budding producers looking to sign to Functional?
Fresh ideas are for me the most important thing. I love hearing a sound I’ve never heard before.
Any other bits and pieces going on you want to tell us about?
I am currently working with the Dub Pistols on live stuff so there will be more collaborations there. We’re looking at FB060 maybe being the last vinyl release, which is a bit sad, but we’ve been involved in digital sales for a long time and were actually one of the first labels to sign to Beatport, so we’re looking at ways to really get the most from that market…
Quest and Mutiny’s Stick Up Kid/One Big Rhyme is out this summer on Functional. Visit www.myspace.com/functionalrecords
