30 years of 4AD Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Record label 4AD have been working with some of the biggest names in music since 1980. We look at the artists who helped make the indie label so influential Wed 1 Sep 2010 09.57 EDT First published on Wed 1 Sep 2010 09.57 EDT Bauhaus were one of the first bands to sign to 4AD, releasing their debut album in 1980 Photograph: Kevin Cummins/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Nick Cave, lead singer of The Birthday Party, pictured at The Venue in London. They released their first UK full length album Prayers On Fire in 1981 Photograph: David Corio/Redferns Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The Cocteau Twins, seen here performing on The Tube in 1984, have been stalwarts of the label since their debut in 1982 with the album Garlands Photograph: ITV / Rex Features Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lydia Lunch, performing here in 1980, briefly recorded on 4AD Photograph: Angie Coqueran/ CORBIS Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance worked with the label in the mid 80s Photograph: Kerstin Rodgers/Redferns Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tanya Donelly and Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses, the first American band to sign to the label. Their eponymous debut album was released in 1986 Photograph: David Redfern/Redferns Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The Pixies released their debut mini album Come on Pilgrim in 1987, followed by the influential Doolittle two years later Photograph: Kevin Cummins/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lush were popular during the shoegazing days of the early 90s Photograph: Bob Berg/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Kim Deal of the Pixies worked with her sister Kelley to form a side project, The Breeders. Their album Pod and the single Cannonball were big successes for 4AD Photograph: RB/TS/KEYSTONE USA / Rex Feature Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Belly, the side project of Tanya Donelly of the Throwing Muses Photograph: Steve Jennings/CORBIS Share on Facebook Share on Twitter American band Deerhunter are signed to 4AD and are releasing a new album in September Photograph: PR Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Topics Indie Nick Cave Pixies Pop and rock