SOIA RSD 7" (Rev 200)

In a previous post two months ago, I wrote about two Shook Ones LPs I had just bought, which I thought took me to owning 199 pieces of Revelation vinyl. I was then wondering what my 200th would be. However, I made a mistake. I checked my collection spreadsheet, and I had 197 INCLUDING the two Shook Ones LPs. So I still only had 197 Revelation records. However, regardless of whether it was previously 197 or 199, I now know what my 200th is. And I am proud to say that it's a good one...

As I am sure everyone who reads this blog knows by now, Revelation Records re-pressed the classic Sick Of It All 7" for Record Store Day 2010. For those who don't know, Record Store Day is an annual event, on which day independent record stores get sent limited edition, specially made records. The whole point of this, presumably, is to encourage people to buy from independent record stores to help keep them alive, although in my mind the whole concept is flawed by the fact that it only happens once a year. I mean, is one day a year of bumper sales significant enough to keep record stores alive? I very much doubt it. Record store day should happen monthly in my opinion.

Anyway, there aren't really any good record stores near me. And I checked the release schedule for Record Store Day 2010, and there was only really a couple of things that I wanted - the Sick Of It All 7" and the Soundgarden 7". And I didn't realistically expect that anywhere in the UK would get these things anyway. So I couldn't even be arsed to go to any stores on the day to try to get anything. I thought it would be a waste of time. Instead, I just figured I would take my chances and see if I could get these things by other means...

That said, admittedly I didn't exactly do a lot. I asked Mike if he would keep an eye out for the SOIA 7" for me. I knew he was going out on a record store day hunt, and I knew he'd be on the lookout for a SOIA 7" for himself. So I figured he'd be the best person to ask. The only risk was that he would find only one copy of the record, or only be allowed to buy one copy, which would mean that I would miss out. But hey, that seemed fair enough to me, given that I had no plan b.

Well, record store day came around, and wouldn't you know it, but I got lucky… twice. First up, I got an email from my good friend Mark. I had just sent him a couple of records in the mail, and he was getting in touch to let me know that he had been out on a Record Store Day hunt and managed to pick up a spare Sick Of It All 7". He was asking if I wanted it. Of course I did! Even though I had asked Mike to get me one, I had to say yes to Mark's offer in case Mike wasn't able to get one for me. But now I had one guaranteed. Cool. Only a couple of hours later though, I got an email from Mike to let me know that he was also able to get me one. This meant that I now had two. Suddenly I felt bad. I mean, I had two records whereas a lot of people didn't even get one. But then I realised that no, I didn't have two records at all. In fact, I didn't have any. What I had was two emails from two people saying that they each had a record for me, which is actually quite different. I mean, just because I tell you I have a million dollars for you, you don't go out and buy yourself ten Chung Kings and a Ferrari. You wait 'til you have the money in your hand or it doesn't count. Similarly, at this point, for all I knew the postal system could fuck me over and I might get nothing. So until that barrier was overcome I didn't actually have anything at all. Still, I remained optimistic, and (assuming that the postal system would not present a problem) it seemed that my 'staying in' gamble had paid off. I was stoked.

However, before I had a chance to receive anything in the mail, the worst happened. I tuned in to the Livewire board and found out that there were 4 different versions of the damn SOIA 7"! A few hours before, I was over the moon knowing that I had managed to get one of these things at all. But all of a sudden, this wasn't enough, especially for a seasoned Revelation collector like me. If there were four, I wanted four, not one. From the photos people were posting, it seemed that the vinyl was a completely new pressing, but the covers and inserts were all just leftovers accumulated over the years from various different pressings. It all seemed a bit random. But, understandably, people started to go mental and copies started to go up on eBay, and were selling for what I considered to be too much money. So I figured that I was probably going to be searching for these things for a long time, until the initial fuss died down and the prices returned to realistic levels. Kinda like that Gorilla Biscuits tour 7" from 2006 or whenever, if you remember that saga, ha!

Here's the pressing info that subsequently surfaced:

7th press : 555 clear vinyl (Record Store Day 2010) These were pressed for Record Store Day 2010 and we used the 45rpm plates from the first pressing's mastering and some old leftover print that we had in the vault. The labels were printed using the original artwork from one of the earlier 45 rpm pressings. Here's the breakdown:
- 293 old fold-over covers with band name in red and old insert
- 150 new glued, non-glossy covers and 1997 insert
- 83 old fold-over covers with band name in black and old insert
- 29 old glued, high-gloss covers and old insert

So anyway, the first copy that arrived in my mailbox was the copy from Mike. This turned out to be one of the second most common (or third rarest) version, being out of 150 copies with a glued sleeve and the revised (smaller) insert from the 1997 reissue:

I am puzzled as to how this one is described by the label as having a 'non-glossy cover'. I would definitely describe the cover as glossy. But never mind.

Next up, I got the one from Mark. I was stoked when it turned out to be a different version to the one Mike sent me. This one has a fold-over sleeve with red lettering on the sleeve. This one turns out to be the most common version of 293 copies with the fold-over sleeve with red lettering and original (large) insert:

By this point, I was happy enough. The version with black lettering was proving to be the most in-demand, and was securing the highest prices on eBay. I'm not sure what the highest price paid for one was, but I watched one copy go for $86, and there was no way on earth I was going to pay that. So I figured two copies was good enough. Cool. Job done.

Except, of course, the story doesn't end there though. A couple of weeks ago, some kind soul posted on the Livewire board to announce that Revelation had some leftover copies in their online store. I knew these would go fast, so I didn't have time to think. In a decision that took all of one second, I decided to take my chances and order one. I placed an order, and took the opportunity to write in the comments section "If there are any left, please can I get one of the 7"s that has the band name in black lettering. THANKS!". As it turned out, I was pretty lucky to get an order in at all, as these things weren't available in Rev's store for more than about fifteen minutes before selling out. But after the order went through, it was just a case of waiting and seeing what I would get. At best, I would get the black lettering. At worst, I would get a spare of one that I already had, which I could probably trade with someone for something else.

As it turned out though, my luck held, and I got the one I wanted - the fold-over cover with black lettering, which is the second rarest out of 83 copies:

So that's that. Three out of four versions acquired without having to hit eBay. There are only 29 copies of the fourth version that I don't have, so realistically I don't plan on ever seeing one of those. But three out of four isn't bad, especially for someone who didn't exactly partake in Record Store Day.

After much consideration, I have decided that I did get very lucky with this one. But also, I'd just like to say a big THANK YOU to Mike & Mark for helping out with this one. Much appreciated, dudes!

Average Citizen

Today, a couple of recent eBay wins, connected only because they came from the same seller...

The first is the Suicide File / R'N'R split 7". As I recall, this record caused a bit of a stir when it was released back in the early 00's. Basically, both of these bands were pretty popular, and this split was announced on a new record label - Championship Vinyl. Pre-orders were announced and the label took a lot of money. Then, a somewhat familiar story… nothing happened for a while and peoples' patience started to wear thin. For one reason or another, I didn't actually place an order for the record at all. I think it was during a period when I was out of touch with hardcore due to doing exams and buying a house and whatnot. I think at the time the Revelation message board was pretty much my only link to hardcore, so this issue must have been raised on there for me to have even been aware of it. But anyway, after a while the record actually came out, but it seems that a lot of people who pre-ordered didn't actually receive anything. A rip off hardcore label? Who would have thought?

Well, one day I was at college, and in my lunch break I ended up looking at a list of records that some dude was selling on the internerd. It was one of those deals where there are no prices, you're just expected to make offers. So this dude had a copy of the Suicide File / R'N'R 7" on blue vinyl numbered out of like 60 copies or so. So I shot him an offer and he accepted. Completely hassle free. It almost felt unfair. Like I was getting a record that really should have been sent to someone else. Someone who probably still doesn't have their record... although they're probably about 30 now and a fat drunk and couldn't care less.

So 8 years or so later, here is my second copy of this record - the tour press, with spray painted cover, numbered out of 100 copies:

Next up, the 97A 'Better Off Dead' 7" which I got from the same seller for less than $3. I kinda bought this to console myself over not winning a copy of this on red vinyl a few days before.

Interestingly, the insert contains pressing info:

The weird thing is that there are apparently 300 on blue and 700 on black... yet this blue one is numbered 330. So what does this mean - that there are at least 330 on blue, or the numbers are just randomly allocated between blue and black?

I'm not overly sure on the pressing info for this 7". I bought a regular black copy when it came out, and also a later version with limited ratbones cover. But there's a green vinyl copy out there too as well as blue. Is that second press, or possibly fourth? Oh yeah, I have just decided that I badly want a red vinyl copy of this one now. If anyone has one that they could part with, please let me know.

Integrity ICOS 7" on purple

Yet another Integrity record. This was the one reissue version of 'In Contrast Of Sin' that I missed out on - the purple vinyl pre-order pressing:

Job done.

Mind Eraser Gold LP

I love Mind Eraser. I missed this particular record when it came out last year because I didn't know anything about it until it had sold out. So I had to settle for a second press on white vinyl, until recently, when I finally got around to picking up this first pressing (limited to 200 copies) on gold for cheap on eBay.

Gotta love how all the Mind Eraser LPs come on gold. There's not many things as important in life as consistency.

Blacklisted LPs

I used some of the money I had in my paypal account to pick up some Blacklisted records. There was one I wanted real bad, and the seller also had a couple of others that I went for too. I'll deal with them in reverse order of cool...

First up is the most recent record, 'No One Deserves To Be Here More Than Me'. This one came out last year with no prior warning and caused a bit of a stir, firstly because it is vinyl only, and secondly because it sounds more like Nirvana than Blacklisted. Musically, I like it, although I'm not a fan of the artwork, which looks (to me) like a mish-mash of random crap. There were about three colours of vinyl, of which this one is by far the least offensive:

Given that the cover and vinyl colours are so bad, I'm happy owning an old fashioned one copy of this one.

Next up is their last LP, 'Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God'. This is a funny one for me. Until this showed up, I only owned one copy of this, being the rarest one out there (see HERE). What's funny is that I always thought that the picture on the cover for this record is really cool, but the copy I had came with completely different sleeve. Anyway, this version I just got is the release show(s) version, numbered out of 200. Ton says that the record itself looks like an eyeball.

Finally, the Blacklisted record I wanted more than any other. This is a copy of the first LP, 'The Beat Goes On', with the Rocky sleeve, which was (I think) made for the record release show back in 2006.

Interestingly, the Deathwish discography suggests that there are 76 of these, despite the sleeve suggesting that there are only 50. Does that mean that there are 26 unnumbered copies out there? Or is the discography wrong? More to the point, does anyone actually care?

Iron Age LPs for sale or trade

'The Sleeping Eye' was originally released as a black vinyl double LP on Cyclopean Records. It was then repressed as a clear vinyl single LP on Tee Pee Records out of the USA. At the same time, it was licensed to a UK label called Full Tilt World. This is part of the limited UK pressing. One hundred were made on clear vinyl, and these copies also have a cool looking black sleeve.

I just bought the last copies from the label. I'm looking to trade or sell them. none of these have been played and they are thus in excellent condition. Also includes a poster. One of the best albums of the last few years in my opinion, and if you like the LP then this is a super cool version you'll be stoked on.

A few short weeks ago I sold one on eBay. It went for just under $52 (see the auction listing HERE).

If you want one of these things then either send me your trade list or you can send me $30 plus shipping. Email me at the address listed in my profile at the top of this blog.

Screaming For Change

I've always thought myself to be lucky with records. But some people would argue that you make your own luck. I'm still undecided. But let me now tell you a story and then you can give me your opinion...

Back in about 2003 I was out of touch with hardcore. I was studying for some exams and had a couple of years where going to the library was my life priority. I fell out of touch with music, but still wanted new tunes from time to time. During this period, I bought an LP by a band called BRAND NEW. I knew nothing about them, but I bought the album from RevHQ. I remember that their weekly update email said that this band sounded like Saves The Day. Based on that description I bought this album. It cost me like $12 or whatever, and came on white vinyl. Here's a picture:

The album is ok. Nothing special. The Saves The Day reference is pretty valid. I played it a few times, it was ok, but hardly a ground-breaking record. Anyway, fast forward to 2010 and I notice that there is a buzz about this band on the Vinyl Collective board. So I did a little research and found out that this album now sells for hundreds of dollars. Not only that, but there are four different colours of vinyl, and the white one just happens to be the rarest of all. So I looked on eBay and found that a clear vinyl copy had recently sold for $450... but the clear copy is more common than my white one, and also mine was in better condition with the shrink wrap and sticker. So I decided to try to sell it for $500. And, more importantly, that I wanted to sell it off eBay so that I didn't get ripped off for fees and ripped off by some overseas paypal claim dickhead. Within two days of posting on the internet I had an offer of $500 from a girl in LA.

Around the same time, I was arranging a trade with a guy from the band ISIS. He happened to live in LA. I had exchanged a few emails with him and he seemed like a nice and genuine guy. I felt I could trust him. So I asked if he would help me. He agreed. So I ended up sending him my Brand New LP along with the other records I was trading with him. He then met up with the girl in LA for me, gave her the Brand New LP, and she gave him $500 cash. He then paid me via a paypal personal payment (no fees!). I then decided to go shopping...

First thing I bought myself was something I have wanted for a long time... a colour pressing of 'Screaming For Change'. I didn't give a crap about what colour I got, I just wanted one. There happened to be a green one up on eBay, so I took it for a very fair $150:

A couple of weeks later and the same dude was selling a red copy of the same record. Given that I had a few hundred dollars in paypal, I couldn't resist. This one cost me $202. It's supposed to be red, but is really much closer to pink:

Even though I paid a lot of money for these things, I prefer to think of it as a trade. One take it or leave it pop punk LP from 2003 for two classic Wishingwell slabs of wax plus money to spare. I think it worked out pretty damn well. The only problem now is that I feel compelled to try to get the other two colours (purple and grey). But these things aren't cheap, and unfortunately I don't think I have any more $500 records lurking on my shelf that I can liquidate.

Against The Grain

Last year Epitaph reissued the first three Bad Religion LPs, and pressed them on colour vinyl for the first time. They sold out pretty quick, so I had to pick them up on eBay… although there's one I still didn't get. Then, at the end of the year, they also repressed the 'Against The Grain'… and once again, I missed it, and had to resort to eBay. It turned out alright though. I waited and got a good deal. These things tended to sell for $25-30 each on eBay (before shipping), but I managed to snag both colours from one seller for $40 postpaid, which is probably cheaper than they would have cost me from the label. There are two colours - yellow and purple, so I grabbed one of each:

What I like about this is that the colours seem to have been selected to match the artwork. Always good when labels do that. Much better than using some random colour that doesn't seem to fit. Also, I have to say it, this is one of my favourite record covers of all time. I just like the simplicity and style of the art. I also always liked how there was no text on the front cover.

I hope Epitaph don't get greedy and repress them again on other colours. Having a colour repress of a 20 year old record that only ever existed on black before is cool, but doing a different colour every six months or so would severely suck. Hopefully 'Generator' is also on the cards for some point soon so I can have a full set.