Able Label


The Able Label was an independent record label from Brisbane, Australia.
The label was established by Damien Nelson, together with Grant McLennan and Robert Forster in 1978 and was the first independent record label in Brisbane. Whilst several Brisbane based bands had released their own independent singles, Able Label was the first to cater for a number of acts. The Go-Betweens released their first two singles, "Lee Remick" and "People Say", on the label in 1978 and 1979. It allowed a number of other Brisbane groups, The Numbers, The Apartments and the Four Gods to press their own records using the Able Label logo. Not all bands were permitted to use the Able Label logo, one such band was Razar who were refused permission to use the logo on their seminal 1978 single "Task Force". The band were accused of appropriating the label's name, with the single using the catalogue number AB002. The most likely explanation is that it was a manufacturing error by the pressing plant in Sydney. Able Records were limited pressings ranging from 500 - 700 and are now considered collectors' items.

Discography

SongArtistRelease dateCatalogue
"Lee Remick"/"Karen"The Go-BetweensSeptember 1978AB001
"Sunset Strip"The Numbers1978AB003
"Sunset Strip" / "Magic Castle" / "Rules of Love"The NumbersJuly 1979AB004
"People Say" / "Don't Let Him Come Back"The Go-BetweensSeptember 1979AB005
"The Return of the Hypnotist"The ApartmentsOctober 1979AB006
"Enchanted House" / "Restless"The Four Gods1981AB007