Vinyl pressings
by Dead Kennedys · 1987
Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 4 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 57-A THE SKULL IS THE 'SMILING FACE' OF THE 80'S L 27588Side A runouts
VIRUS 57-B DOLPHINS MAKE BETTER ANARCHISTS THAN PEOPLE DO L 27588 XSide B runouts
EV-102 437-00-1 AST_Side C runouts
EV-102 437-00-1 BST_Side D runouts
VIRUS 57-A THE SKULL IS THE 'SMILING FACE' OF THE 80'S L 27588Side A runout
VIRUS 57-B DOLPHINS MAKE BETTER ANARCHISTS THAN PEOPLE DO L 27588 XSide B runout
VIRUS+57+A2 ORLAKE A PORKY PRIME CUT.Side A runout
VIRUS+57+B A PORKY PRIME CUT. ORLAKESide B runout
FLX 589ASide C runout, Flexi-disc side A
FLX 589BSide D runout, Flexi-disc side B
VIRUS+57-A2 ORLAKE A Porky Prime Cut.A-side etchings
VIRUS+57+B A Porky Prime Cut. ORLAKEB-side etchings
FLX 589AFlexi, A-side etchings
FLX 589BFlexi, B-side etchings
VIRUS + 57 + Az ORLAKE A PORKY PRIME CUTSide 1 runouts
VIRUS + 57 + B A PORKY PRIME CUT ORLAKESide 2 runouts
FLX ASide 3 runouts
FLXSide 4 runouts
VIRUS+57-A2 ORLAKE A Porky Prime Cut.A-side
VIRUS+57+B A Porky Prime Cut. ORLAKEB-side
FLX 589 AFlexi A-side
FLX 589 AFlexi B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Fringe Product FPL 3046 / Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, White Label, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, White Label, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Mispress, Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Mispress, Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Flexi-disc, 7" · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Flexi-disc, 7" · Test pressing |
| 1987 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57First yearLP, Compilation, Mispress, Misprint | LP, Compilation, Mispress, Misprint |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, 7", 45 RPM, White Label | LP, Compilation, 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | LP, Compilation, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, 7", White Label · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK & Europe | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7" | LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7" |
| 1990 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Repress |
| 1991 | UK & Europe | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7" | LP, Compilation, Repress, Flexi-disc, 7" |
| 1991 | UK & Europe | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Repress, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM | LP, Compilation, Repress, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Flexi-disc, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 2000 | US | Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57LP, Compilation, Numbered, Partially Unofficial, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Compilation, Numbered, Partially Unofficial, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered |
| 2001 | US | Decay Music DKS 13LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 2001 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42914 / Manifesto MFO 42904LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2001 | USA & Canada | Manifesto Records, Inc. MFO 42914LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2001 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42904LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42914LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2013 | UK & Europe | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV084LPLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV084LPLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO42914LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | Audio Platter PLATE063LPLP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2023 | UK | Audio Platter PLATE101LPLP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | AIM AIM 1028LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Manifesto MFO 42914LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42914LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | USA & Canada | Manifesto MFO 42914LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
35 vinyl pressings of Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 57.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VIRUS 57, AIM 1028, FPL 3046) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VIRUS 57-A THE SKULL IS THE 'SMILING FACE' OF THE 80'S L 27588 and VIRUS 57-B DOLPHINS MAKE BETTER ANARCHISTS THAN PEOPLE DO L 27588 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.
