Pandamonium!: How Not To Run A Record Label

by Simon Williams

'Hilarious, heart-wrenching and packed with British music history.' - COLDPLAY

A Virgin Radio Book of the Year

It's a life-and-near-death story. But whose life? And whose near-death?

As a one-time NME journalist, former Xfm radio presenter, toilet-circuit promoter and the founder of enduring homespun British record label Fierce Panda, Simon Williams has been at the cutting, cutting, cutting edge of all things 'indie' for over thirty years.

During his tenure as managing director of Fierce Panda (a role he holds to this day), Simon was responsible for tripping over bands such as Coldplay, Keane, Placebo and countless other acts of independent hue - some of whom have gone on to achieve earth-shattering musical superstardom, while others have merely baffled the crowd at the Bull & Gate in north London on a wet Wednesday evening.

Unfiltered and unflinching, Pandamonium! is the story of Simon's time at the indie coalface, filled with insider anecdotes to entertain music enthusiasts everywhere - from the origins of a bootlegged Oasis release to Chris Martin's delight at reaching number ninety-two in the charts. But it is also the story of how Simon tried to bring a premature end to proceedings, documenting in blunt, matter-of-fact detail his longstanding mental-health struggles.

Yet, despite his raw and often poignant honesty, Simon writes with the warmth, wit, self-deprecation and wide-eyed good fortune of someone who has stared into the abyss and survived, bounding down a few indie rabbit holes along the way.

Genres: Music

336 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2022

Reviews

[Frazer Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am slightly biased as my band are on Fierce Panda records and I do get mentioned (on pages 251, 274,
280 and 293 to be exact) but this is a brilliant book. Very funny, very dark, very Simon.

[Gary Fowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

From scribbling live reviews for the NME to co-founding indie label Fierce Panda, Simon Williams has more than enough amusing stories to fill a book. And that’s exactly what he does, leaving no pun unturned.
What sets this book apart from the rest of the already groaning shelf of indie tomes is the honest way Williams tackles his suicides attempt(s).
Both touching and amusing in equal measure.

[Prune Fusion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellently written tale of the halcyon years of the UK "Indie" music industry through which is threaded a very human story of the author's mental health struggles. It's sharply funny and softly poignant, with an absolutely brilliant depiction of a haphazard business model based purely on the love of music.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story for anyone who lived through the era but ruined by an insistence to add shite puns whenever possible. I appreciate that he wrote for, and is nodding to, the NME but this continually pulls me from the narrative. It's super irritating as fuck.

[CwtchUpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has ever tenderly held a warm beer in a dingy pub wearing a band tee and gazelles, has a stack of 90s fanzines and naive ideas of what the music industry is really like. Glorious nostalgia.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought my copy of Pandamonium!: How Not To Run A Record Label from the man himself, Simon Williams, having heard him talk about it at Rockaway Beach 2024. It's another fabulous music memoir. I didn't know much about Fierce Panda records or indeed Simon Williams but both have had an interesting time of it.

The book opens with Simon trying to kill himself which he makes sound both grim and comedic. One narrative strand is the aftermath and repercussions of the suicide attempt, the other is the story of Simon's life including writing for the NME, running Fierce Panda, and various associated shenanigans.

It's mile a minute stuff complete with puns and total abandon. Simon Williams has devoted an extraordinary amount of time and energy into promoting all things Indie, all of which makes for an immersive read and something of a cautionary tale.

4/5

[Mosstin Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Quite dark but refreshingly honest. Written by a man who doesn't quite believe enough in himself.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came for the label, stayed for the puns.

[Pete Elderkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written, insightful, funny and serious.