Tesco USA

About me:

Tesco Organisation was born of the love of pure industrial music. The label was founded in the late 80's as a natural extension of the interests and recording activities of some young German artists and their friends. The name is an homage to the legendary British industrial band Throbbing Gristle, who appropriated it from the UK supermarket chain and recorded the song "Tesco Disco."

Throughout the 90's, the fledgling underground label transformed into a niche mailorder, and then into a successful independent distribution company. There have been over 75 releases on the Tesco and Functional labels, and Tesco Distribution has grown to become one of the foremost hubs for industrial, noise, power electronics, dark ambient, neofolk and experimental vinyl and CDs from around the world.

Tesco USA, the American distribution division of Tesco Germany, was founded 2001 after an auspicious meeting between a New York City DJ and one of the Tesco partners at a London gig for the seminal British power electronics band Whitehouse. It was only two weeks after 9/11, and although we were fortunate not to have been directly affected by the events, watching them unfold with my own eyes left an indelible impression.

The original "Ground Zero" design of our website reflected the context of our genesis and the images often conjured by the soundscapes of industrial music. The logo is a graphic reminder that the impossible can become a reality in the blink of an eye, and that even in the face of unthinkable destruction, anything is possible. We reacted by taking the opportunity to build something new based on the best of what came before.

Tesco USA was born of a love for difficult music in a difficult world, and endures with the same. Thanks for visiting!

Jane Elizabeth
Tesco Distribution USA