Guy Ritchie to launch his own record label

Film director Guy Ritchie is launching his own record label – all for the sake of his favourite pub band. Madonna's ex-husband will sign the Punchbowl Band to Punchbowl Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music, and their debut is expected on 1 March. Ritchie's motivation here is easy to understand. The Punchbowl Band aren't just signed to Punchbowl Records. They are also the house act at the Punchbowl, a pub Ritchie owns in London. And they appear on the soundtrack to his new movie, Sherlock Holmes, which happens to include a fight venue called – surprise! – the Punchbowl. In other words, it's part of a Punchbowl-related multimedia empire. According to ContactMusic, Ritchie is planning to launch a brewery and has trademarked various names, including Punch Bowl Beers, Punch Bowl Ale and Bitta Ritchie. All he needs to do now is to start, er, manufacturing actual punch. "It's exciting to venture into the music industry," Ritchie said. "It's a tough place, but I've seen this band connect with people ... They have every chance of being embraced by a wider audience and I genuinely wish them the very best of luck with their debut album." The Punchbowl Band comprises Willy Barr, Brendan McAuley, Steve Mulhern and Daniel Gott. Although they play traditional Irish music, their press release suggests that they can use their bodhráns and pennywhistles on pop songs too. Quoth Justin Timberlake, apparently: "Jamming with the guys was the best fun I have ever had without a woman." Boom-tish!