Abstract Records Punk Collection (widely known as The Punk Singles Collection) is a definitive compilation album released in 1995 by Anagram Records, a subsidiary of Cherry Red Records. Serving as catalog number CD PUNK 52, this release is a vital entry in Anagram’s historical series documenting the seminal independent record labels of the UK's post-1977 underground movement. The album collects 20 essential A-sides, B-sides, and rare tracks originally issued by Abstract Records, an influential imprint founded on April Fools' Day in 1981 by former CBS and GTO promotions veteran Edward Christie.
Architecturally, the compilation serves as a sonic time capsule capturing the rapid mutations of punk rock during the first half of the 1980s. Rather than sticking to a single formula, the release demonstrates how Abstract Records acted as a crucial bridge between traditional first-wave punk structures and the rising tides of anarcho-punk, goth-tinged post-punk, left-wing political pop, and power-pop indie. Featuring cornerstones of the scene like U.K. Subs, New Model Army, and The Gymslips, the record preserves the grit and diversity of a transitional era when the UK indie charts were a battlefield of fierce creative independence.
Abstract Records was originally started on 1st April 1981 by Edward Christie, a former promotions man at CBS and GTO Records. Edward had also worked at GEM Records and was responsible for signing the UK Subs, The VIPS and The Killermeters amongst others. Following the collapse of GEM, due to RCA withdrawing it's financial backing, he set up Abstract and it's first release was by a Scottish outfit FK9, a single called 'Our Condition'.
In the Early 80's Abstract vied with the likes of Secret, Cherry Red, Jungle, etc. as one of the UK's leading independent labels, with many of the companies acts moving on to major labels though Abstract scored considerable success in both the Independent and National Charts.
