A later statement on their website said: ""There was a fire last night at the SonyDADC warehouse which services the physical distribution for Pias in the UK and Ireland. Pias is working closely with SonyDADC who are implementing their emergency plans. Pias' UK offices in London and all other areas of our business are unaffected. More information will be communicated shortly to all our labels and partners."

Welsh label Turnstile is affected badly. Alun of the label told me: "A huge blow. Fatal in the cases of some labels whose whole stock and source of income has been destroyed. And for others a massive massive headache in facing weeks of uncertainty while the true cost of lost stock and temporary collapse of distribution system is calculated."

Matt Jarrett of Diverse Vinyl is devastated. "I guess we'll find out in the next few days and weeks [what effect this attack will have on the independent sector].

"To give you some idea of the impact on us, our Pias section of CDs is the same size as Warner, EMI and Sony put together. People now buy CDs by the likes of Coldplay in Tesco for seven quid so there's no point us stocking them. When it comes to buying albums, both on CD and vinyl, from bands on Domino, 4AD, Warp, XL, Xtra Mile and Loose then the independent record shop is going to be people's first port of call.

"Some of these labels are hopefully big enough to cope and it'll mean a massive headache of an insurance claim, delayed releases and cash flow issue but some simply won't cope with this.

"I have friends at Loose Music. They're a small label that is run with the heart as much as the chequebook, by people who are genuine music fans. Going by what I've heard this morning, it may [be in danger]. I'm sure there are other labels in the same boat. In an age where majors would rather bang out 'deluxe' editions of albums released 10 years ago rather than gamble on new music, these labels are the good guys. It could have a massive effect in the years to come if these labels didn't exist.

"I honestly have no idea what quantities of stock we are talking about and hopefully labels have their releases dotted about warehouses in different countries too but, on a local level, Straight Lines, Future Of The Left, Gruff Rhys to name a few, will have had the majority of physical product in existence destroyed in this fire.

"Bands will have their incomes hit as they won't have sales of back catalogue and may well have new releases delayed. It's going to have a knock-on effect right down to our customers that are waiting for the new Toddla T or Wooden Shjips albums that are supposed to be released on Monday.

"I'm just a bit numb. I have friends at labels that won't have jobs and friends in bands that will have lost the records that they're worked so hard to create. We'll lose a few quid too, as will other shops but that's irrelevant compared to what others are having to cope with."

On MusicWeek.com Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills described the effect on the independent sector as "horrible, horrible".

But there are moves to mitigate the losses and clear sense of necessary actions has emerged. Ashli Todd of Cardiff's Spillers record shop said: "The determination and motivation that goes in to running an operation like Pias and the labels involved will be undoubtedly be applied to the rebuild and repair following this destruction."

The Association of Independent Music's chief executive Alison Wenham said: "We released an emergency bulletin this morning. It's terrible news, obviously it appears to be have burned to the ground. There's nothing left.

"We're a strong community though; other independent distributors are rallying round to help. Labels who have stock can be distributed, and other labels whose stock has gone may be able to access the distributors once a clearer picture has emerged."

She is also urging fans to buy digital copies of the affected labels' albums to provide a short-term cashflow benefit to allow many to stay afloat. "What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while their stock lasts.

"This way, the labels will be able to re-manufacture their CDs and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots. This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans' help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today".

And on Twitter, an idea has sprung up for a fund-raising event to help the labels affected. More information and offers of support can be made to

In response to the Finders Keepers/Twisted Nerve/Bird/Battered Ormnaments stock loss in the PIAS warehouse fires caused by rioting on August 8th a few of our close label mates have come together to compile some of their favourite moments from the Finders Keepers family discography. A series of 10 limited edition CD and MP3 compilations curated by the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Demdike Stare, David Holmes and Gruff Rhys including some exclusive and unreleased tracks are now ready to order directly from the website and like minded retailers in a bid to ease us back onto our feet releasing phantastic obscure and obselete music as soon as possible.

For the next five months we will present 10 limited edition albums (one every 2 weeks) kindly compiled by B-Music stalwarts and friends, including Jarvis Cocker, Demdike Stare, David Holmes and Gruff Rhys (amongst others) choosing their favourite songs from our expansive catalogue, as well as featuring exclusive songs, edits and remixes.

dear alec empire on the event


https://twitter.com/#!/ALEC_EMPIRE/status/101337503881101312
https://twitter.com/#!/ALEC_EMPIRE/status/101338347234017281
https://twitter.com/#!/ALEC_EMPIRE/status/101348249465655296

kind of don't believe this. if i was a pro and looking to jack a bunch of fenceable gear, i don't know if i'd target the sony warehouse. physical media and replication machines seem tough to unload on the black market.

this was the distribution centre and not the replication site. Shipping playstation consoles and games are good coinage in the blackmarket game.