Vinyl pressings
by Discharge · 1981
Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year. 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.
LYN 10249- PLATE 2 A1 EG ☮GIVE PEACE A CHANCE - BILBO 'N' STONE ☮Etched runout side A
LYN 10250 PLATE 2 B1 EG TO SATISFY THEIR MANIA FOR CONQUEST, LIVES ARE SQUANDERED...CAL-RAINY-BONES-DAVE ☮ BILBO TA1PE ☮Etched runout side B
PLATE 2 A1 EG ☮ GIVE PEACE A CHANCE - BILBO 'N' STONE ☮Etched Runout Side A
PLATE 2 B1 EG TO SATISFY THEIR MANIA FOR CONQUEST, LIVES ARE SQUANDERED... CAL-RAINY-BONES-DAVE. ☮ BILBO TA1PE ☮Etched Runout Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWOFirst year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1981 | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWOFirst year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Japan | Vap 35137-1812", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1985 | Japan | Vap 35137-1812", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWO12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1989 | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWO12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | UK | Earmark 4001912", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Italy | Earmark 40019 P12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Havoc Records HC124412", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2010 | US | Havoc Records HC124412", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 2010 | US | Havoc Records HC124412", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | UK & Europe | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV443LPLP, Mini-Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Mini-Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | UK & Europe | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV526PDLP, Mini-Album, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | LP, Mini-Album, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV526PDLP, Mini-Album, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Mini-Album, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2018 | Italy | Radiation Reissues RRS9412", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Italy | Radiation Reissues RRS94CV12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2023 | Italy | Radiation Reissues RRS94CV12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWO12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| ? | UK | Clay Records PLATE 2 / Clay Records PLATE TWO12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Not On Label12", Mini-Album, 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Mini-Album, 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
20 vinyl pressings of Why are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK. One of them is Clay Records PLATE 2, released July 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PLATE 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LYN 10249- PLATE 2 A1 EG ☮GIVE PEACE A CHANCE - BILBO 'N' STONE ☮ and LYN 10250 PLATE 2 B1 EG TO SATISFY THEIR MANIA FOR CONQUEST, LIVES ARE SQUANDERED...CAL-RAINY-BONES-DAVE ☮ BILBO TA1PE ☮. 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.
