Mute Records Issues Barry Adamson’s SCALA!!! Soundtrack January 2026
Barry Adamson has completed a score for SCALA!!!, the documentary about the London rep cinema that operated between 1973 and 1993. Mute will release the 22-track album on 16 January 2026 in three formats: a limited edition vinyl described as “banned blood” coloured, CD, and digital.
Artist: Barry Adamson
Release Date: 2026-01-16
Genres: Art Rock, Experimental Music, Funk Rock, Jazz Rock, Post-punk, Psychedelic Rock
Label: Mute Records
Description: Barry Adamson scores SCALA!!! documentary. 22 tracks out 16 January 2026 on Mute Records. Former Magazine, Bad Seeds member documents London cinema
The film, directed by Jane Giles and Ali Catterall in 2023, documents the Scala cinema’s two-decade run. The venue programmed double bills, all-night screenings, and occasional live events. Directors whose work appeared regularly included John Waters, Russ Meyer, Derek Jarman, and David Lynch. Interviewees in the documentary include Waters, Peter Strickland, Mark Moore, Ben Wheatley, and Adamson, who discusses the cinema’s effect on his work.
Adamson’s music addresses the venue’s programming, the performers who appeared there, and the legal action that closed it. The score moves between different registers across its duration. One track, “Scala Posters (Mondo Bongo)”, is available now.
Adamson grew up in Moss Side, Manchester. He joined Magazine as bassist in 1977 with minimal preparation. After the group ended in 1981, he played with The Birthday Party on several occasions. Between 1984 and 1986, he was a member of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.
His first solo album, Moss Side Story, appeared in 1989 on Mute. The record was conceived as a soundtrack without an accompanying film. He has since contributed music to films by Jarman (The Last of England, 1987), Lynch (Lost Highway, 1997), Oliver Stone (Natural Born Killers, 1994), and Danny Boyle (The Beach, 2000).
Adamson has released ten studio albums. Soul Murder (1992) was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. Oedipus Schmoedipus followed in 1996. Memento Mori appeared in 2018, marking 40 years since he began performing. His most recent album, Cut to Black, was released in 2024. He composed music for a ballet performed by Sylvie Guillem and Ballet Boyz, which received an Olivier Award.
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