Vinyl pressings
by Gillan · 1981
Future Shock 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.
28 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
VK 2196 A5 TOWNHOUSE A IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKERunout, A-side, variant 1
VK 2196 B5 TOWNHOUSE A JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSRunout, B-side, variant 1
VK 2196-A6 TOWNHOUSE IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKERunout, A-side, variant 2
VK 2196 B5 TOWNHOUSE JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSRunout, B-side, variant 2
VK 2196 - A6 TOWN HOUSE IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE?A-side runout
VK 2196 - B5 TOWN HOUSE JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSB-side runout
VK2196AA-side label
VK2196BB-side label
VK 2196 A-2 IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE? W-4 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 1
VK 2196 B-2 TOWNHOUSE 2 WEA-TIP3 JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSRunout, B-side, variant 1
VK 2196 A-2 1 IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE? W-3 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, variant 2
VK 2196 B-2 TOWNHOUSE 2 W-4 JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSRunout, B-side, variant 2
VK 2196 - A5 TOWNHOUSE IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE?A-side runout
VK 2196 - B4 TOWNHOUSE JOEL (DORK) MICHIELSB-side runout
V2196AA-side label
V2196BB-side label
3 - 1 IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE ? TOWNHOUSE VK 2196 A-2Runout, side A
3 - 14 JOEL (DORK) MICHIELS VK 2196 B-2 TOWNHOUSERunout, side A
VK2196ALabel, side A
VK2196BLabel, side B
G MX194730 V 2196-1Side A runout, stamped
G MX194731 B V 2196-2Side B runout, stamped
MX194730Side A label
MX194731Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2196First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VL 2215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Finland | Virgin V2196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 203 596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 596-320 / Virgin 203 596First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 596-320 / Virgin 203 596LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 596-320 / Virgin 203 596LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 203 596-320 / Virgin 203 596First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Virgin 2473817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Virgin VK2196 / Virgin 2473 817First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Iceland | Virgin V2196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Virgin BAN 2196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П94 RAT 30925LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP049LP, 45 RPM, Reissue, Remastered | LP, 45 RPM, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2012 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP048LP, 45 RPM, Reissue, Remastered | LP, 45 RPM, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC98LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2019 | UK | Demon Music Group Ltd. DEMREC173LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK | Demon Music Group DEMREC1285LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 203596LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 203 596 / Virgin 203 596-270LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 74LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
41 vinyl pressings of Future Shock are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Canada, Finland and more. One of them is Virgin VK2196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VK2196, V2196, V 2196, VL 2215) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VK 2196 A5 TOWNHOUSE A IS THIS YOUR PONTEFRACT CAKE and VK 2196 B5 TOWNHOUSE A JOEL (DORK) MICHIELS. 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.
