Vinyl pressings
by Dead Kennedys · 1986
Bedtime For Democracy was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
VIRUS 50-A JOHN SCOPES DIED FOR YOUR SINS L-25610Side A runout
VIRUS 50-B "POWER IS THE ULTIMATE APHRODESIAC" - HENRY KISSINGER L-25610-XSide B runout
Virus+50+A3 A Porky Prime Cut ORLAKESide A, hand-etched
Virus+50+B3 A Porky Prime CutSide B, hand-etched
VIRUS 50 A2 ORLAKESide A, hand-etched
VIRUS 50 B2 ORLAKESide B, hand-etched
VIRUS+50+A3 A Porky Prime Cut. ORLAKERunout side A - etched
VIRUS+50+B3 A Porky Prime Cut.Runout side B - etched
Virus+50+A3Side A, hand-etched
Virus+50+B3Side B, hand-etched
A Porky Prime CutManufacturer identifier, sides A & B, hand-etched
ORLAKEPressing plant identifier, side A, hand-etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | AIM AIM 1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | AIM AIM 1012First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1986 | Canada | Fringe Product FPL 3030 / Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Di Di Music Δ.Δ. 112 / Di Di Music Di.-Di. Records 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Di Di Music Δ.Δ. 112 / Di Di Music Di.-Di. Records 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1012LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1012LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1012LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1997 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | Decay Music DKS12LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2003 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42903LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2003 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42903LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV083LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV083LPLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV083LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Audio Platter PLATE062LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Audio Platter PLATE100LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Not On Label (Dead Kennedys)LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42903LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
35 vinyl pressings of Bedtime For Democracy are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 50.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VIRUS 50, AIM 1012, FPL 3030, Δ.Δ. 112) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VIRUS 50-A JOHN SCOPES DIED FOR YOUR SINS L-25610 and VIRUS 50-B "POWER IS THE ULTIMATE APHRODESIAC" - HENRY KISSINGER L-25610-X. 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.
