US
June 4, 1984- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 6-4990A&M Records SP-6-4990
- Format
- LP, Album · EMW Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP-064990-A-ES2 Emw STERLINGRunout A
SP-064990-B-ES1 Emw STERLINGRunout B
SP-06-4990-ALabel A
SP-06-4990-BLabel B
Vinyl pressings
Medicine Show
by The Dream Syndicate · 1984
21 pressings10 countriesAlternative RockRock
Medicine Show 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Medicine Show
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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.
US
June 4, 1984- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 6-4990A&M Records SP-6-4990
- Format
- LP, Album · Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP-064990-A-RCA-1 STERLING l-l A 1Runout A, variant 1
SP-064990-B-RCA-1 STERLING l-l A 1Runout B, variant 1
SP-064990-A-RCA-1 STERLING I Λ 1 FRunout A, variant 2
SP-064990-B-RCA-1 STERLING I Λ 1 GRunout B, variant 2
US
June 4, 1984- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 6-4990A&M Records SP-6-4990
- Format
- LP, Album · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SP-064990-A-M1 STERLING MR Δ 26443 ııSide A runout
SP-064990-B-M1 STERLING MR Δ 26443XSide B runout
SP-06-4990-ASide A label
SP-06-4990-BSide B label
Australia & New Zealand
1984- Label and catalog number
- Festival Records L 38236
- Format
- LP, Album
Canada
1984- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 4990
- Format
- LP, Album
Europe
1984- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records AMLX 64990
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
SP-064990-A1 [unidentifiable stamp] STERLINGVariant 1, runout side A
SP-064990-B1 [unidentifiable stamp] NL B STERLINGVariant 1, runout side B
SP-064990-1A1- [unidentifiable stamp] A STERLINGVariant 2, runout side A
SP-064990-2B1 [unidentifiable stamp] A STERLINGVariant 2, runout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Festival Records L 38236First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 64990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 64990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | A&M Records 394 990-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | A&M Records AMLX 64990First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28112First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64990 PromoFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP 6-4990LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP 6-4990 / A&M Records SP-6-4990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP 6-4990 / A&M Records SP-6-4990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | A&M Records SP 6-4990 / A&M Records SP-6-4990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | A&M Records 394 990-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | France & Benelux | Klimt Records MJJ382LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | France & Benelux | Klimt Records MJJ382cLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | Down There Records DT-101LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France & Benelux | Klimt Records MJJ382LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 394 990-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Still Holding On To You3:39
- A2Daddy's Girl3:02
- A3Burn5:34
- A4Armed With An Empty Gun3:56
- A5Bullet With My Name On It6:20
- B1The Medicine Show6:29
- B2John Coltrane Stereo Blues8:48
- B3Merrittville7:20
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Medicine Show are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Medicine Show are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1984 and 2025.
When was Medicine Show first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 6-4990, released June 4, 1984.
How do I tell if my copy of Medicine Show is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 6-4990, L 38236, SP 4990, AMLX 64990) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-064990-A-ES2 Emw STERLING and SP-064990-B-ES1 Emw STERLING. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Medicine Show on vinyl worth?
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.
