The Formation of Stone City Distribution

Founded in early 1997 by CN Williams, Lee Drummond, and Simon Walker, Stone City Distribution was created with the goal of not only distributing music but also helping to shape the sound of the underground scene. The office was located at the Truman Brewery, recently converted into creative spaces. What set Stone City apart from other distributors was the inclusion of a studio right in the office, located in the old vault, which allowed for both the production and distribution of music under one roof.

The Media Buzz and the Rise of UK Garage

As the underground Garage sound gained momentum in the late '90s, the media began paying attention. In 1997, a magazine article highlighted the vibrant underground scene, using terms like "Sunday scene" and "speed garage" to describe this new musical movement. However, Stone City had already been a part of this underground movement for over a year by the time the media caught on.

The article stated: "Even if you're not a Garage head, the scene's new influences will no doubt have still crept into your DJ box." The fusion of sounds—from House to reggae, jungle, and more—created something entirely new. At Stone City, the company was at the forefront of this emerging scene, distributing records that captured its energy.

Establishing Stone City as Tastemakers

As a distribution company, Stone City played a critical role in getting records into the hands of DJs and record shops. Beyond that, they positioned themselves as tastemakers, helping to promote and push some of the most iconic tracks of the time, including:

• Scot Garcia's "It’s a London Thing"

• Dem 2's "Destiny"

• Tina Moore's "Never Let You Go"

These records would go on to define the sound of UK Garage.

What distinguished Stone City was their attention to detail and commitment to supporting underground music. As the 1997 article pointed out: "Unlike the major distributors, who have so much material to handle that many of the smaller underground releases are being lost or ignored, Stone City pride themselves on nurturing their product and helping their clients develop their labels."

The Role of Pirate Radio

Pirate radio was crucial to the success of the UK Garage scene, and Stone City worked closely with these stations. Freak FM, Girls FM, and Deja Vu played a key role in promoting new music and building a loyal underground audience. As the article reflected: "The support and growth of the underground Garage scene via the pirates has followed the same path as the growth of drum 'n' bass."

Much like drum 'n' bass, UK Garage thrived due to the underground network. Stone City ensured that the records they distributed reached the right DJs, who then played them to eager listeners across London and beyond.

Stone City's Studio in the Vault

One of the unique aspects of Stone City was the decision to include a studio in the office, located in the old vault at the Truman Brewery. This space allowed for experimentation and the creation of new sounds, fostering creativity among the artists they worked with. As DJs themselves, the team had a deep understanding of what worked in the clubs, which helped guide the production process.

As noted in the 1997 article: "It definitely helps because, as a DJ, your finger is on the pulse, and you immediately know what's hot and what's not." At Stone City, the focus was not just on distributing records but on actively shaping the sound of the underground.

Stone City's Legacy and Tagline: "Supporting the Underground"

By the late '90s, Stone City Distribution had firmly established itself as one of the key players in the UK Garage scene. It wasn't just about distributing records; Stone City was part of a movement that reshaped the UK music landscape. As the 1997 article stated: "Music had become a bit stagnant, and the emerging UK Garage scene brought a much-needed energy and fresh perspective."

The company's tagline, "Supporting the Underground," reflected its mission. If anyone still has one of the original Stone City stickers (once placed on vinyl sleeves), it would be great to see it!