American label REX Music establish European branch
AMERICA'S heavy metal and alternative Christian music specialists REX
Music have established their first European branch, REX Music UK.
Distributing "the heavier side of heavy and the stronger edge of
alternative", REX Music UK is being run by John Payne, who declared
there will be no compromise or soft sell. "Some people may be
offended. Bands like Living Sacrifice and Sacrament may look and sound
like death metal but they are not. All are committed Christians with a
vision to go into the darker side of secular music to challenge and
change people's lives." John adds, "At their gigs bands often receive
heavy abuse for their faith including spitting, thrown bottles and
even people urinating on the amps." Albums, initially, are to be
distributed by Kingsway into the Christian Bookstore market and plans
are afoot to distribute REX releases into Europe. However, a vision to
reach the non-Christian market includes plans to get into secular
stores. Recent releases also include speed metal merchants Haven and
post modern alternative rockers Monster, whilst further releases can
be expected throughout the year. Currently with 10 volunteer demo
listeners, John (son of the American Kingsway manager, David Payne) is
also looking to branch out into rave and techno and to recruit
European talent to export back to the States. As he says, "We want to
harness British music and we want the tougher edge.