The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize

by David Cavanagh

"The greatest book ever written on British independent music" -  Guardian
"One of the best British music books of the last ten years" -  Mojo Out of print for many years and regarded as one of the greatest music books ever written,  The Creation Records   My Magpie Eyes are Hungry for the Prize is the definitive account of the iconic British record label, republished for the label's 40th anniversary. Founded by Alan McGee in 1983, Creation Records achieved notoriety as the home of Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain and other anti-Establishment acts. During the Britpop boom of the mid-90s, the astonishing success of Oasis brought Creation fame on the world stage. In 1999, however, McGee announced his shock departure as his label's influence over a generation of British music came to a confusing and disappointing end. Containing interviews with Creation musicians, employees, supporters and detractors, this is the inside story of Creation Records - and of British music since the 1980s.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, British Literature, Biography

752 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2000

Reviews

[Ben Winch]

Anything that gives me more insight into the early years of the Jesus and Mary Chain is always going to get a thumbs up from me. This isn't a great book but it is essential for fans of Creation Records, being the only salient and exhaustive book on that subject so far produced. And it's not bad. The most important facts are there, and a whiff of the era, of the lifestyle. File it with The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as a treatise on kamikaze rock management.

[MacDara Conroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Oasis bits aside - they're as tiresome to read about as they are to look at or listen to - this is a fitting overview of a label that played a significant role in defining the independent music scene in the UK from the 1980s onwards. It's a bit rushed in the latter stages, but it's well worth a read for anyone interested in the machinations of the music industry.

[David Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Cavanagh's book must stand out as one of the best books about the music industry. And it’s a huge book, so heavy in fact that it nearly put me over my weight limit when I brought it on holiday. Having also delved into "Facing the Other Way: The 4AD Story” which was also brilliant. Both books cover every angle of this important period in the rise of singularly unique and alternative culture perfectly. My Magpie Eyes" takes the crown though for pure vibrancy. This partly down to the nature of the 4AD roster, more reserved and cerebral. It's not purely a recounting of musical history. Just as "Jaws" isn't merely about a shark, this is a journey into the power dynamics, politics, philosophy of an age and sheer fuckery that defined an era.

Cavanagh was a sharp and witty writer (he sadly died in 2018) and his well researched observations make the chaos of Creation Records come alive in a way that's entertaining and enlightening. I also had to refer to my music steaming service of choice to listen to the hundreds of songs mentioned, which added an extra layer of immersion to it all.

The main themes that run throughout are the indie outlook versus the mainstream, the amount of fly buy the pants risk taking and the huge cultural impact it had. Alan McGee was a man who could turn a profit from a band that was so bad, it was good and the Creation office was a place where chaos reigned supreme, and the coffee was always cold.

There are genuinely laugh-out-loud moments showcasing the incompetence of the music business. It’s a wild boozy and bloody ride. One of the many highlights is the birth of The Jesus and Mary Chain, a jaw dropping account of stupidity and mismanaged anger. “Unlike the punk bands of 1977, or even the new wave opportunists of 1979, the Reid brothers had severe motivation problems. Whereas other teenagers would learn a couple of chords on a guitar and be playing a gig a few weeks later, the Reids were embarrassingly unsure of how to proceed. 'We ran out and bought our first guitars in 1977, says Jim. 'Unfortunately, they lay in a corner and gathered dust until 1982 or 1983. We were a little bit bamboozled. We wanted to be DIY. “ Again I chuckled throughout.

Yet, despite many unflattering portraits, Cavanagh's commitment in showing how revolutionary the label was in changing how music was perceived, and pushing the boundaries of what great music could be, is amazing. It’s a brilliant musical study, brilliantly told. An absolute delight.

Choice quotes:

“Adam Sanderson, a working-class Aberdonian with a fierce suspicion of middle-class students, thought it was pathetic. He remembers: ‘I was there in the middle of it all, and people were laughing and giggling, the middle-class youth of England, swept along on the euphoria of doing something really wild for the first and probably last time in their lives. There was a lot of crap – absolute lies – written about the “riot”.’”

“In style and approach, the Pastels were Orange Juice in concentrated form. Quite remarkably fey, they horrified Horne. 'I wouldn't talk to them,' he says. 'I wouldn't even acknowledge them as they passed me in the hall. They were like something that Edwyn would have invented to annoy me.”

“There seemed few things more upsetting or humiliating than a 12-year career condensed into 55 words – with the most important word of them all spelled wrong. ‘That was possibly the moment, I seem to remember, that despite Alan’s protestations that he was willing to release my albums forever, it was probably time for me to be moving on,’ Sudden relates.”

“I remember thinking: what the fuck has happened to Jeff?’ he says. ‘He was dancing all night, even in the kitchen pouring a drink. That was a period when you were supposed to dance all through the night. You were never supposed to stop, no matter what you were doing. You couldn’t be seen to be not moving. And you had to claim to like every record going. It all just seemed fake to me.’”

[Jo Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent stuff! Plenty of stories about the rock and roll antics of the Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, The House Of Love et al, very much highlighting how out-of-their-depth record companies were (and still are) when dealing with a lot of troubled young men with substance abuse problems. The story of how Oasis unexpectedly made everyone's fortunes and then sank all the lower-achieving bands is familiar to anyone who read a music paper in the late 90s, but was so well-told that it seemed like a fresh horror. However, I was equally thrilled by the music industry insights. Licensing deals! Barcode errors! Early forays into digital distribution! The stuff that most music biographies are afraid to touch! The story of Creation Records is seldom pretty but it's fascinating stuff, wryly and sympathetically written and well worth its near-700 pages. I would give it 5 stars were it not for the description of the mighty Shonen Knife as sounding "like cats brawling in a dustbin". Tut!

[Pekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

After waiting over two decades to read this, I suddenly found a new edition at the local library. I had no idea it had been reprinted. My expectations may have been a bit on the high side, but it was interesting and informative to say the least. Sorry to hear that the writer is no longer with us.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best music books dealing with a record label.

In the 80's young, bored Alan McGee started a label in order to put out music he liked. Little did he know that over the course of 20 or so odd years Creation would be a label that spawned a lot of game changers in the indie world.

Like all labels there were humble beginnings. Starting out with twee pop Creation built a repertoire of being the best label to have jangly music. As the 80's turned into the 90's McGee was getting luckier and soon he had Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine and Ride all delivering classic albums which are still hailed today. Not to mention the other bands such as Swervedriver, Slowdive, The Boo Radleys, Teenage Fanclub and The House of Love

By the mid 90's McGee had a bad drug habit but he also signed the almighty Oasis, who then made Creation the hippest label ever. After that Super Furry Animals were signed and then one bad choice after another until the label folded into 2000.

This book meticulously details it all. The rise and fall. Not one fact is out of place and Cavanagh manages to sneak tons of brilliant anecdotes. To date no other music book has managed to achieve this, so yes try seek this out. You will be inspired.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of indie, told through the prism of Creation Records, gathered from many interviews with the musicians, scenesters, journalists and fans who were there on the way through.

It takes you on a long trip, starting with punk rock hitting Glasgow in 1976, leading through the many years of scuffling, Creation Records shoving out any old rough mix by The Jazz Butcher to have new product for "The Kids" to keep some turnover rolling for the business. Then Alan McGee has his breakthrough - he meets Oasis, sells them to the world, and it ends with McGee coming through rehab and Oasis conquering stadiums. Many great anecdotes, and many great bands who fell by the wayside get another 3 minutes of fame. Like all great music books, it makes you want to listen again to some of them - the Weather Prophets records stand up particularly well.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there wasn't nearly enough Slowdive esp. how Creation Records suddenly pulled-out its funding for their North American tour which the band paid for themselves (albeit in a much smaller/fewer city tour- where they were absolutely amazing in case you missed it) this book was still fascinating esp. for anyone who has had or has Creation bands take up consider playing time on the stereo and in the head.

[Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed book, particularly on the pre-Oasis years. A book for music nerds and one of THE best music books

[Ashwin Chandekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

First 300 pages are fairly dull and filled with too many fine details about rubbish bands like the Jazz Butcher and those ones on Postcard who all sucked except for Aztec Camera.

Interesting to a point but also indicative of Alan McGee's mindset as a dragon chaser, though it also reveals that while very good at taking temperatures of the musical millieu, he actually really sucked as an A&R guy.

Cavanagh is otherwise a good writer and though this book has notable detractors (Kevin Shields called it boring and an accountant's view, as well as made up by axegrinding Loveless engineers) it's s nice that this encyclopaedia is back in print.

[Leo Tech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a superb read. I am not hugely interested in Oasis - which was the main band I knew of on the Creation label - but I needn't have worried, since only about 1/10 of the book is about them. Exactly the right amount. The rest of the book delves deep into the personalities, bands, history and daily running of the Creation record label since its inception in 1983. Amazingly well researched with a ton of interesting stories! You 100% don't need to know or like any of the bands featured. Just read it and enjoy the stories.

I have given this 5 stars because there is no way this type of book can be any better!

[Pete Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I am a fan of Primal Scream, Jesus and Mary Chain, Ride, Teenage Fanclub. I bought these records when they were released and still listen to them today, so I’m a little biased, but frankly this is the best musical biography, of a label as opposed to a band or musician that I’ve read.
It really is great, you should definitely read it

[Andy Tabeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the single best “art vs commerce” story ever written. I was obsessed with the early chapters, invested in the business dealings that came after, and deeply amused by the changes over time of Creation. Barely an Oasis book if you’re afraid of that.

Maybe the single best music book I’ve ever read. The scale was just incredible and perfectly managed. Indie rock fans must read this.

[riley corriveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

for any fans of jamc, mbv, ride and oasis this is a must buy! disturbingly informative at times, this book gives an unique account of the music world of the '80s and '90s.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading, along with "Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD," if you are a fan of this era of music.

[Owen T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember getting this book on a whim for 2.99 when I bought the (then new) Oasis album in the early ‘00’s.

Best random pick up I’ve ever had. Just brilliantly written and tells such an engaging story. I read it multiple times before lending my copy to a friend and never getting it back. I took a punt on buying some of the records mentioned and The House of Love’s Fontana album was a fave that I would have missed if it wasn’t for this book.

Fast forward to now and my other half picked me up a second hand copy and it’s drawn me in all over again, with the added bonus I can now jump onto Spotify and listen much more easily to the songs and band mentioned as I’m reading.

Couldn’t recommend enough and it’s criminal there are so few reviews for this book.

[Mikebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

not quite a juicy as i might have wanted, but with its scope being as wide as 'Creation Records' and Alan Mcgee, there's too much history to cover to get too detailed. that said, this is a fascinating account of Scottish nutter Mcgee's journey from surly music nerd to super rich and famous surly music nerd. hehe, i keed. worth it for all the goods on the Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Primal Scream, Oasis & more. I particularly enjoyed the revelation that Kevin Shields had originally wanted to accompany My Bloody Valentine gigs with trays full of amyl nitrate at the front of the stage and huge fans blowing the fumes into the crowd. oh, yes. this book is extremely long but ultimately worth it for devotees. dude practically invented 'indie rock'!

[Jestoon425 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize: The Creation Records Story. Chronicling the story of Creation Records, David Cavanaugh uses meticulous research and incisive wit to reveal the many triumphs and tribulations of the iconic label.

From the signing of The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, The House of Love and Ride, to near insolvency to the rebound of a lifetime - signing Oasis through a fluke show appearance in Glasgow - Cavanaugh tells the story of A&R maverick Alan McGee in the most compelling manner possible.

At 693 pages, I didn't anticipate myself finishing it for several months. However, the story was gripping enough to finish within two weeks. A must-have for all music fanatics.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to add my name to the overly long list of people who call this the best music biography of the last decade. It is a long long book and the obsessive details about the Jesus and Mary Chain, Ride, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine might be a bit much for some...but if you even halfway like 80s/90s indie, this book is insanely good.

[russell barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time round and it's a much better read: McGee is still an awful awful man, and a McGee wired on coke is ten times worse, but the benefits of hindsight make you realise he was much sharper than he's given credit for in terms of understanding where the music industry was going. A&R-wise though he was lucky - for every Oasis there were 12 Jasmine Minks.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exhaustive, incredible telling of the history of Creation Records (and through it, much of the British indie scene). Spends much of its length discussing the lesser-known (and infinitely more interesting) early years of the label (The Loft for the win!). It was also nice to see The Legend! get the credit he deserves for his early contributions to Creation.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing book (until it gets to the bit where Oasis get famous). Reading about how much of a dick Guy Chadwick was (and probably still is) is great, as is Alan McGee's child-like fascination with the internet:

"...this Internet thing is really gonna kick off!"

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough history of the record label that dominated the Britpop years. A tale of junkies, geniuses, nutters, coke, lots of money, Primal Scream and Oasis. Noel Gallagher left Oasis while I was reading the book.

[Andrew Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and impartial account of the rise and fall of Creation Records and its charismatic owner Alan McGee. Much better than Paolo Hewitt's risible book.

[Count No Count · Rating 3 out of 5]

There has been a lot of cross-talk about the real cost of Loveless.

[brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

jeezuschrist, this book is thick.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oasis resuscitate Creation, kill Britpop.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhaustive analysis of Creation's business practices. Gives some interesting insights into Alan McGee's breakdown and the recording of MBV's Loveless!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really informative book about legendary UK record label: Creation Records. A bit lengthy, but has some good stories of popular label acts such as Oasis and Primal Scream.

[christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best music book I've ever read. Something hilarious happens every five pages.