Nothing Records
Jenkinson went on to record a few more releases under his own name, including the "Crot E.P." and "Bubble And Squeak E.P.", as well as a split with Dunderhead, called "Dragon Disc 2". In 1995, Tom began releasing music under the name Squarepusher, first appearing with the "", then following with "Alroy Road Tracks" under the name Duke Of Harringay, both on Finn's Spymania label. By 1996, Squarepusher had line up material for release at Rephlex Records, which was operated by Grant Wilson-Claridge and Richard D. James, a.k.a. Aphex Twin. Squarepusher released the "Squarepusher Plays..." 12" for Rephlex, followed by his debut album, "Feed Me Weird Things" (Jenkinson later released an album and E.P. under the name Chaos A.D. for Rephlex in 1998).
Tom Waits
Waits wrote the songs which would be included on "Swordfishtrombones" during a two-week trip to Ireland. He recorded the album at Sunset Sound studios and produced the album himself; Brennan often attended the sessions and gave him advice. "Swordfishtrombones" abandoned the jazz sound characteristic of his earlier work; it was for instance his first album not to feature a saxophone. When the album was finished, he took it to Asylum, but they declined to release it. Waits wanted to leave the label; in his view, "They liked dropping my name in terms of me being a 'prestige' artist, but when it came down to it they didn't invest a whole lot in me in terms of faith". Chris Blackwell of Island Records learned of Waits' dissatisfaction and approached him, offering to release "Swordfishtrombones"; Island had a reputation for signing more experimental acts, such as King Crimson, Roxy Music, and Sparks. Waits did not tour to promote the album, partly because Brennan was pregnant. Although not enthusiastic regarding the new trend for music videos, he appeared in one for the song "In the Neighbourhood", co-directed by Haskell Wexler and Michael A. Russ. Russ also designed the "Swordfishtrombones" album cover, featuring an image of Waits with Lee Kolima, a circus strongman, and Angelo Rossito, a dwarf. According to David Smay, "Swordfishtrombones" was "the record where Tom Waits radically reinvented himself and reshaped the musical landscape." The "New Musical Express" named "Swordfishtrombones" its album of the year.