Vinyl pressings
by Buzzcocks · 1978
Love Bites was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'" R/\ A SPIKEY SPECTACULARA-side runout, variant 1
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT? ?̶ CB-side runout, variant 1
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'"':̶ L M A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR . .A-side runout, variant 2
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT??̶ L Λ 3B-side runout, variant 2
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'" L A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR 1Side A runout, stamped/etched/stamped. Variant 1
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT?? RD 2Side B runout, stamped. Variant 1
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'" 0 A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR 3Side A runout, stamped/etched. Variant 2
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT?? MD 4Side B runout, stamped/etched. Variant 2
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0•"0 R/\ A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR 1A-side runout
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT?0 ∷ C 1B-side runout
UAG 30197AA-side label
UAG 30197BB-side label
UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'" R 60 A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR 3A-side runout machine stamp, etching
UAG 30197 B-2B-side runout machine stamp
UAG 30179 A-1UA-side runout machine stamp
UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT? BB-side runout machine stamp
A SPIKEY SPECTACULARA-side runout etching
2S 062 61896 A [AREACEM logo]A-side runout etched [stamped]
2S 062 61896 B [AREACEM logo]B-side runout etched [stamped]
61896 AA-side label
61896 BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Japan | United Artists Records GP 647First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 062-61896First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 30197First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | EMI GO2022First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | United Artists Records 2S 062 61896 / United Artists Records 2S062.61896First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | United Artists Records GP 647First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 30197First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 30197First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 30197First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 30197First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 064-61 896 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-61 896LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | France | Fan Club FC 022LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | France | Fan Club FC 022LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | France | Fan Club FC 022LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Fame FA 3174LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | Fame FA 3174LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK & Europe | Domino REWIGLP127LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2019 | UK | Domino REWIGLP127X / Domino REWIGLP127LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | UK & Europe | Domino REWIGLP127LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | US | Domino REWIGLP127LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Domino REWIGLP127X / Domino REWIGLP127LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | I.R.S. Records 6-502 624 / Fan ClubLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Liberty UAG 30197LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Love Bites are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, France, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAG 30197, released September 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAG 30197, 2S 062 61896, GP 647, 5C 062-61896) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAG 30197 A-1U "S0'" R/\ A SPIKEY SPECTACULAR and UAG 30197 B-1U WHAT? ?̶ C. 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.
