Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1984
The Chant Has Just Begun was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
IRSY II4 AI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side A, variant 1
IRSY II4 BI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side B, variant 1
IRSY 114 A1 A BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side A, variant 2
IRSY 114 B1 A BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side B, variant 2
IRSY II4 AI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side A, etched
IRSY II4 BI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side B, etched
IRSY 114-ALabel side A
IRSY 114-BLabel side B
IRS -114-AI BILBO. TAPE ONESide A runout
IRS -114-BI BILBO. TAPE ONESide B runout
IRS 114-ASide A label
IRS 114-BSide B label
IRSY II4 AI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side A
IRSY II4 BI BiLBO.TAPE OneRunout side B
20AP - 2957A1Side A runout
20AP - 2957B1Side B runout
11-4776-1A-1 A NLRunout side A
11-4776-1B-1 A NLRunout side B
11-004776-1Label side A
11-004776-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12-4776First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | I.R.S. Records ILS A 4776First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4776 / I.R.S. Records A-4776First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Illegal Records ILS A 12.4776 / I.R.S. Records ILS A 12 4776First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Illegal Records ILS A 4776 / I.R.S. Records ILS A 4776First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSY 114First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | I.R.S. Records IRS 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSY 114First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSY 114First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2957First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2957First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Chant Has Just Begun are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Japan, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRSY 114, released October 1, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRSY 114, IRS 114, 20AP 2957, ILSA 12-4776) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRSY II4 AI BiLBO.TAPE One and IRSY II4 BI BiLBO.TAPE One. 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.
