TNS Records are based in Manchester, England.  They aim to support great underground punk and ska.  That is their mission statement but it’s all too simplistic.

It’s not just a label, home to Wonk Unit, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, Mighty Midgets and lots more. It is a fanzine, a gig promoter, home to many great all-dayers in Manchester and the Dirty Festival.

A label based in diy and community the latest realease is the Mighty Midgets from Denmark

In 2010 the label were sent a copy of ‘Raising Ruins For the Future’ by Mighty Midgets which started a bond. The combination of ferocious speed, combined with unforgettable melodies was absolutely spot on. It was a game changer. TNS fanzine carried a superlative filled review and promptly ordered some copies to sell in the distro and to spread the word about a fantastic band.

I will let the label take it from there
“It turned out that the guys ran their own label in Denmark; the fantastic 5 Feet Under Records. It was so cool to find a group of people with such similar ideas and ethos to ourselves, who also played such brilliant music. We decided to work together on some projects, the most notable being an International Split, which featured Mighty Midgets, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, Fist of the North Star (USA) and Broken Aris (Sweden), which was collectively released by TNS, 5 Feet Under and Stikman Records (USA). It’s amazing what can be done when people work together.

This was the start of TNS working outside of the UK and it has continued over the last few years, with UK bands getting released/playing in Scandinavia and Scandinavian acts coming over here. It is an absolute pleasure to continue to work with 5 Feet Under, they are a big part of the TNS family. Mighty Midgets stopped gigging a few years back and we were always disappointed that Raising Ruins was never released on vinyl, so when the guys came to us and said they wanted to rerelease it on 12 inch we were absolutely delighted.”

Similar in vein are anti fascist skate core punks Chewed Up whose split lp with Aggressive punk band Casual Nausea came out late last year

One band getting a lot of attention in the UK punk scene are Wonk unit. I’m still in two minds but their brat punk London style is going down a treat with informed audiences. TNS have released two albums


Speed punks Revenge of the Psychotronic Man have been linked to the label since their inception.

It reminds me of an anarcho related Fat Records, many varied releases all done in a diy style.

Listen to the sampler below

– TNS are dedicated to supporting exciting music at grass roots level.

– We believe in the music ‘scene’ working together as a community making every aspect better for all, discriminating against none.

– TNS is run on a not-for-profit basis. We generally just about cover costs, anything else funds future releases.

– ‘TNS’ bands should be actively involved in supporting other bands and helping them to play in their towns, working as hard as possible to get underground music out to genuine fans.

– TNS oppose pay-to-play gigs, music competitions and money grabbing promotors. Music should never be about competing.

– We believe that music can be a positive force politically, socially and morally, but also that everyone involved should have lots of fun!

If you want to get involved, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

niallhope

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