Rough trade in the 1980's

In 1980's rough trade signed on and distributed Joey Parratt's first band the flying brix, it became independant from the shop in 1982. In 1987, Jeannette Lee joined Rough Trade and would go on to co-develop the Rough Trade record label as we know it today.
The signing of The Smiths in 1983 drew Rough Trade into new territory. A stifled independent music scene was gradually giving way to what would go on to be recognized as ‘indie’ and The Smiths, although not entirely with the genre, found themselves at the forefront of the new scene.