Former NME journalist Simon Williams' record label Fierce Panda this week marks its 10th year - after discovering Ash, Supergrass and Coldplay - with a compilation featuring its best moments.
A decade ago, drinking in a central London pub with two other NME scribes, Simon Williams hit upon the idea of a new record label to champion bright-eyed new talent.

Unlike most drunken schemes, however, Williams could remember this plan when the morning came - and decided to act on it.

Fierce Panda began life in 1994, when the British music scene was starting to enjoy boom years with the Britpop scene dominated by bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp.

"We knew this guy Ian who ran a label called Damaged Goods, and he used to hate us because he'd put out the first Manic Street Preachers EP, New Art Riot, and we used to give the Manics absolute kickings," Mr Williams told BBC News Online.

One-single deals

"But we wanted to push a load of new punk bands in what was called at the time the New Wave of New Wave - a scene we had conveniently invented - and Ian was into that."

Fierce Panda's first release featured the now long-defunct punk group S*M*A*S*H, but since then it has emerged as a scout label, discovering some of the biggest bands of the last 10 years.

Many of its acts have been signed to the label for one single deals before going off to proper deals with majors. Mr Williams, however, is happy that they have the bands in their first exciting flush of success.

Coldplay's first record, Brothers & Sisters, was released on Fierce Panda months before the rest of the music industry took note. Ash, Supergrass, US sensations The Polyphonic Spree and recent top three band Keane are also featured on the compilation.


Coldplay recorded several tracks for a Fierce Panda release

Mr Williams said the label did not set out to make millions or release ambitious albums.

"We ignored things like getting a press officer for the bands or distribution. We'd just make 500 copies of the single and got it in the shop."

The label's biggest hit, ironically, didn't feature a single note of music. Called Wibbling Rivalry, it was an interview the journalist had done with Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis, which descended into hilarious abuse.

As the label celebrates its 10th year, Mr Williams, who has put his writing career on hold to continue scouring the venues of Britain for new talent, is aiming slightly higher.

"I've started looking at Domino, and the success they have had with Franz Ferdinand [who had a number three song recently]. I've just started to focus my energies on something a bit more serious