"Bands undersell themselves. They'll spend £600 on recording and then they'll apologetically hand out copies of that recording in scruffy cases. They deserve better, they deserve this."

So says Phantom Power Records head honcho Denzil Watson, pointing at the CD that sits in the middle of the table between us. Anthems From The Phantom is the local label's first compilation, and he hopes it will raise awareness of not just his "serious hobby" (he lectures by day at Hallam University) but also the acts featured.

"They're all bands who are under the radar but that doesn't mean they're not great! I can honestly say I stand by every track on there."
Whenever talk turns to the compilation, it's easy to tell putting it together has been a real labour of love. The artwork was designed in-house, and the sleeve looks nothing if not professional. Denzil's also a keen photographer, many of the pictures on the inlay are his.

It's certainly an attractive package. Looking at it, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell it's a DIY operation involving two people (the other is Elie Howe, who previously ran her own label Late Night Dreams).

"If I like a band I always want to own the B-sides, the artwork... one of the things we strive for is attention to detail. It's got to be carefully designed. We think the physical product is still really important, because even though you can go online and cherry pick two tracks from an album these days, the artist will have spent a lot of time deciding on that running order. I think it's just a reflection of the current lust for instant gratification."

The seeds of the label were first sown 18 months ago when Denzil struggled to find an outlet to release records by his own band, RepoMen ("I can't say I blame them", he deadpans), and decided to take matters into his own hands.

"But anyone can put out a CD these days. We wanted to do something a bit different," recalls the 41-year-old.

Fellow local DIY label Thee SPC provided an example of what could be achieved, and Denzil cites their handmade coloured vinyl releases and determination to release only music they truly believe in as an inspiration.

Realising cost might be an issue, he approached fellow local band (and good friends) Screaming Mimi with the idea of a split 7" release featuring both acts. The result was the debut Phantom Power Release, Who Is Louise/Trophy, in October 2006.

Says Denzil: "I defy anyone not to be excited by Screaming Mimi!"
The name for the label was, in fact, taken partly from the band's song Anthem For The Phantom and the rest is the result of a strange occurrence at their Northern Sounds festival appearance in Lens last year.

"Screaming Mimi were playing their set and apparently all the power went out," says Denzil, "and when I heard about that the name just came to me."

Both bands featured on the debut release also appear on Anthems From The Phantom, along with the likes of Balor Knights ("so much energy and hyperactiveness!"), Art Department ("Doors-y song structures, very well put together songs"), Lardpony ("Perfect two minute indie-pop"), Pete Green ("Billy Bragg-esque lyricism") and The Interiors ("In your face, grungy... like Nirvana crossed with The Pixies").
Something for everyone then?

"Yes, I think so", he replies before pausing for a second. "Unless you like R'n'B. There's none of that s****e on there!!"

* Anthems From The Phantom is released on Monday November 26, priced £5.99. Buy it from Record Collector (Fulwood Road), Jacks Records (Division Street) or online via iTunes.

More info at phantompowerrecords.co.uk.