Originally named Axis Records, which was changed due to another existing company already named Axis, 4AD was started by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent as a subsidiary of Beggars Banquet. In the first year, the label released a number of 7 inches from bands that would grow to become very influential groups of the 80s including Bauhaus, The Birthday Party, The The, Modern English and The Wolfgang Press which featured members of Wire. I'd call that a promising start. Through the rest of the 80s, 4AD would continue to grow to international recognition releasing praised records from the bands I just listed along with Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, their first U.S. band signee, Throwing Muses and a very young Pixies. The 90s saw 4AD sign a huge distribution with Warner Brothers to release thei