Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1984
Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? 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.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
IRSX.101·A1 BiLBo.TAPEOne ASide A runout, variant 1
IRSX.101·B1 BiLBo.TAPEOneSide B runout, variant 1
IRSX.101·A1 BiLBo.TAPEOne ASide A runout, variant 2
IRSX.101·B1 BiLBo.TAPEOne CSide B runout, variant 2
IRS-101-A1 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side A
IRS-101-B2 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side B
IRS 101-ALabel Side A
IRS 101-BLabel Side B
IRS-101-A1 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side A
IRS-101-B2 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side B
IRS 101-ALabel Side A
IRS 101-BLabel Side B
IRS-101-A1 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side A
IRS-101-B2 BILBO TAPE ONERunout side B
IRS 101-ASide A label
IRS 101-BSide B label
IRS-101 ADJ1 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side A
IRS-101-B1 BILBO.TAPE.ONERunout Side B
IRS 101DJLabel Side A
IRS 101Label 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 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 943First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 943First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4114 / I.R.S. Records A-4114First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.4114First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 101First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 101DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSX 101First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Europe, Netherlands. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRSX 101, released January 3, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRSX 101, IRS 101, IRS 101DJ, ES 943) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRSX.101·A1 BiLBo.TAPEOne A and IRSX.101·B1 BiLBo.TAPEOne. 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.
