Extreme Music Production Celebrates 10 Years

Founded by artist and tour manager George Allen, in the last year EMP has represented Marina & the Diamonds, The Magic Numbers, Jimmy Webb, The Mission, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Azari & III; testament to the rapid growth EMP has seen in a short period of time.

EMP has also been working on ‘The Mission’ 25th Anniversary shows that took place this October, culminating in a sold out show at London’s O2 Brixton Academy with other shows being rolled out globally. The tour was orchestrated by Allen to mark 25 years of their music. “I reformed the original members who had not played together since 1990,” said Allen. “It was a monumental tour.”

This summer Allen toured with Azari & III, covering several European festivals including Love box, Melt, Radio 1 in Ibiza and Glastonbury.

Since August he has been focusing on management, including a campaign with new signing ‘Among Brothers’, with a two week UK tour and single release, along with new releases from Wayne Hussey (The Mission, Sisters Of Mercy) and Julianne Regan (all about Eve) with a new album called Curios, signed to Cherry Red Records for worldwide release.

Allen’s career began in 1992 as a studio engineer at Bath based Koh-san Studios. He became the studio’s manager by 1996, and in 1998 oversaw the opening of ‘Arc’, a £1m state-of-the-art recording studio that housed a Neve V3 and residential facilities. During this period he worked as assistant engineer on the Mercury nominated, ‘Holes in the Wall’ album by The Electric Soft Parade as well as Tom McRae’s debut album with acclaimed producer Chris Hughes. Other high profile clients included Depeche Mode, Paul Oakenfold, The Stranglers and You Am I.

In 2001 Allen decided to become his own boss, taking on the role of keyboard tech for Van Morrison and embarking on a worldwide tour.  “I learnt the grass roots of teching first before stepping up to TM work, and started doing small UK and European tours with bands I knew from the studio days,” he explained.

It was during this time that Allen set up EMP “...with a smile and a wink and a book full of contacts.” He started out driving small splitter vans for bands like OKGO and The Webb Brothers and by 2004 he was performing the role of Tour Manager for long term clients The Mission.  This quickly escalated to production touring for the likes of 2005/2006’s success story, The Magic Numbers.

Allen also began managing The Mission UK, re-building the brand so successfully that in 2008 The Mission played four consecutive nights at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London to sell-out crowds. He then started a record label (Eyes Wide Shut Recordings) to release, among several other albums, a DVD from the show, which hit number six in the UK DVD chart.

Seven years on from the early days of helping out young talents and his first experiences of circumnavigating the globe with commercial success stories like The Magic Numbers, Allen’s business is going strong, receiving recognition from the likes of Grammy Award winning songwriter and CEO of the National Songwriters Hall of Fame, Jimmy Webb, whom Allen consults for. Webb summed up Allen’s dedication to excellence and the ethos behind EMP’s continuing success story, stating:
“George is a seasoned tour manager with a deferential and easy-going manner. This hides a steely determination in dealing with venues, promoters and other industry trouble spots. On the road he is a hard-driver and puts the show first. He will not hesitate to inconvenience himself for the show or whatever other business is at hand.’’

EMP’s long standing relationship with The Mission is emphasised by the band’s front-man, Wayne Hussey:“I don't just trust George with my business I trust him with my life. No problem is really ever a problem with George around. As well as ensuring a smooth running operation and dealing with sometimes awkward promoters and situations, George keeps spirits high amongst highly strung musicians and bickering crews. Love him.”

Stephen Budd of Supervision Management agreed, confirming: “George handles his job with vigor and an attention to detail that has thoroughly impressed me, and compares extremely favorably to his competitors.”
With no plans to slow down, George Allen and Extreme Music Production are looking forward to further growth and development, says Allen: “I will continue to work hard, as I always have, and look towards expanding the management and label side of the business over the next two years.”
 
www.xtrememusic.co.uk