n e w s

May 00

POLYDOR RETURN THEIR MEDAL Medal have become the latest local victims of the music industry contraction, parting company with Polydor last month. The band released their debut album, ‘Drop Your Weapon’, on Polydor last summer to enthusiastic reviews and healthy sales but in the end it wasn’t enough for such a massive corporation. The band, who were in the middle of recording songs for their second album, have moved quickly to secure their future and are set to release the album on the label set up by Courtyard Management, the team that also looks after Radiohead and Supergrass. Talking about the split with Polydor, a spokesman for the band said: “They sold 25,000 copies of the album but after the company’s paid for an advance and spent money on a couple of videos it doesn’t add up. If the album doesn’t go platinum they let you go. Unfortunately it’s all down to accountants. The A&R department wanted to keep them on because they’re one of the few bands on the label who still excite them. They don’t get excited about acts like S Club 7.” Looking to the future he added, “We’re looking at a single maybe in late August with the album in September, but nothing’s finalised. We’re looking at setting up licensing and distribution deals around the world, but the new label will be good for the band - they’ll have far more artistic control.” Medal’s keyboard player, Richard Brinklow, meanwhile, told us that the departure from Polydor was “A bit of a relief really”, a sentiment echoed regularly by bands who have had to endure life with a major label. Medal have also recruited a new bass player, Ollie, to replace Dan Kemp who left in January to run a local pub.