Vinyl pressings
by Billy Bragg · 1983
Life's A Riot With Spy Vs Spy was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
UTIL 1A/1 ∆ 420 C 1 [stamped] FOR TWEEDLEDUM [etched](Runout side A):
UTIL 1 B//1 ∆ 420 C 1 [stamped] FROM TWEEDLEDEE [etched](Runout side B):
UTIL 1 A-1U-1-1-Runout Side A
UTIL 1 B-1U-1-1-Runout Side B
UTIL 1ALabel Side A
UTIL 1BLabel Side B
1 9 UTIL 1 A-1U-1- 1-Side A runout stamped variant 1
1 0 UTIL 1 B-1U-1- 1-Side B runout stamped variant 1
UTIL 1 A-1U-1- 1- 5 14Side A runout stamped variant 2
UTIL 1 B-1U-1- 1- 2USide B runout stamped variant 2
UTIL . 1 A3Side A runout etched
UTIL . 1 B3Side B runout etched
1 9 UTIL 1 A-1U-1- 1-Runout Side A, stamped
1 0 UTIL 1 B-1U-1- 1-Runout Side B, stamped
SMX-62633 L29022A.......... WRASide A etched
SMX-62634 L29022B.......... WRASide B etched
MX-62633Side A label
MX-62634Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L29022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Utility UTIL 1 / Utility 812 565-1First year12", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Utility UTIL 1 / Go! Discs UTIL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Album, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Misprint |
| 1983 | UK | Utility UTIL 1 / Go! Discs UTIL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Album, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Misprint |
| 1983 | UK | Utility UTIL 1 / Go! Discs UTIL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Utility UTIL 1 / Go! Discs UTIL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Utility UTIL 1 / Go! Discs UTIL 1First year12", 45 RPM, Album | 12", 45 RPM, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Utility 206 443 / Go! Discs 206 443LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Utility 206 443 / Go! Discs 206 443LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | Chrysalis L 19082 / Go! Discs UTIL 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Utility 206 443 / Go! Discs 206 443LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Cooking Vinyl COOKLP596LP, 45 RPM | LP, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Cooking Vinyl COOKLP596 / Cooking Vinyl COOKLP596RSDLP, 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | UK | Cooking Vinyl COOKLP596 / Cooking Vinyl COOKLP596BLP, 45 RPM, Remastered, Repress | LP, 45 RPM, Remastered, Repress |
14 vinyl pressings of Life's A Riot With Spy Vs Spy are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, New Zealand, Ireland. One of them is Utility UTIL 1, released May 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UTIL 1, L29022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UTIL 1A/1 ∆ 420 C 1 [stamped] FOR TWEEDLEDUM [etched] and UTIL 1 B//1 ∆ 420 C 1 [stamped] FROM TWEEDLEDEE [etched]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
