Vinyl pressings
by Steel Pulse · 1985
Babylon The Bandit was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
STE 60437 A -3 1–1 STERLING TJ AGAINST ALL ODDS SRCRunout Side A, etched {except for "STERLING" and the "SRC" logo, which are stamped}
STE 60437 B -3 1–1 SMI -1 STERLING TJ STRAIGHT TO ARTKELE’S HEAD SRCRunout Side B, etched {except for "STERLING" and the "SRC" logo, which are stamped}
ST-E-60437-1-A-SPLabel Side A
ST-E-60437-1-B-SPLabel Side B
ST-E-60437-1-A-SPLabel Side A
ST-E-60437-1-B-SPLabel Side B
STE 60437 A-3 1-3 SPAR STERLING TJ AGAINST ALL ODDS △11180 0- B-22274-A3 SRCRunout Side A etched, sterling stamped
SRC STE 60437 B 4 1-3 SPAR B-22280-BX STERLING TJ △11180-X 0- STRAIGHT TO ARTKELE'S HEADRunout Side B etched, sterling stamped
ST-E-60437-1-A-ARLabel Side A
ST-E-60437-1-B-ARLabel Side B
96-04371 A² G. CRSide A runout variant 1
96-04371 B#² G. CRSide B runout variant 1
96-04371 A2 G. CRSide A runout variant 2
96-04371 B2 G. CRSide B runout variant 2
STE 60437 A-3 1–1 SMI–3 SPGER TJ 21 AGAINST ALL ODDS XRunout side A, hand etched
SRC R/S Alsdorf 960437-1 A 2 STERLINGRunout side A, stamped
AGAINST ALL ODDS F D STE 60437 A 3 1-1 SMI-3 SPGER TJ 7Variant 1 Etched Runout A
SRC R/S Alsdorf 960437-1 A2XX STERLINGVariant 1 Stamped Runout A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 04371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Elektra 960 437-1 / Elektra EKT 30First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Elektra 960 437-1 / Elektra EKT 30First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Greece | Elektra 960 437-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Elektra 60437-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Elektra P-13199First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Elektra P-13199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Elektra EKC 6163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60437-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60437-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60437-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60437-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Babylon The Bandit are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Canada, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Elektra 60437-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60437-1, 96 04371, 960 437-1, P-13199) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STE 60437 A -3 1–1 STERLING TJ AGAINST ALL ODDS SRC and STE 60437 B -3 1–1 SMI -1 STERLING TJ STRAIGHT TO ARTKELE’S HEAD SRC. 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.
