Vinyl pressings
by Hubert Kah · 1987
Military Drums 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.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
DM B-8150 A-1/4-87Runout side A, stamped
DM B-8150 B-1/4-87Runout side B, stamped
B-8150 ALabel side A
B-8150 BLabel side B
DM B-8151 A-1 / 4-87Runout side A, variant 1
DM B-8151 B-1 / 4-87Runout side B, variant 1
DM B-8151 A-1 / 4-87Runout side A, variant 2
DM B-8151 B-1 / 4-87 IIRunout side B, variant 2
DM B-8151 A-1/4-87 IIRunout side A, stamped, "II" etched
DM B-8151 B-1/4-87Runout side B, stamped
B-8151 ALabel side A
B-8151 BLabel side B
MCA-7172 FDS-3 FUTURE DISC ◈-P-◈Side A Runout
MCA-7173 FDS-3 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout
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 | Europe | RCA PB41457 / Curb Records PB41457First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | RCA PT41457 / Curb Records PT41457First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Blow Up INT 125.583First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Curb Records CUR 15316First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Curb Records 609251First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Curb Records 1A 109251First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Curb Records 3A 609251First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | RCA PT41458First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records MCA-23787 / MCA Records MCA-23787First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records L33-17389First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records L33-10251First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records CRB-10502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Blow Up INT 110.721First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Blow Up INT 125.583First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Blow Up INT 110.721 / Blow Up G.E. 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Military Drums are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Germany, UK, US, Italy and more. One of them is Blow Up INT 110.721, released May 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use INT 110.721, INT 125.583, PT41458, MCA-23787) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM B-8150 A-1/4-87 and DM B-8150 B-1/4-87. 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.
