Vinyl pressings
by The Members · 1979
The Sound Of The Suburbs was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
VS-242-A-2Side A runout, variant 1
VS-242-B-2Side B runout, variant 1
VS-242-A-2 V 1Side A runout, variant 2
VS-242-B-2 C 2 1Side B runout, variant 2
℗ 1979 VIRGIN RECORDS LTD.Runout, etched, side B
VS 242-ALabel side A
VS 242-BLabel side B
VS-242-A-2Side A runout
LOGO 341 B-2 NBSSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin K-7403First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2097 982First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 100 403 / Virgin 100 403 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Virgin VS 242First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 242First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 242 / Logo GO 341First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 242First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 242First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 242First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 242First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 2427", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of The Sound Of The Suburbs are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VS 242, released January 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 242, K-7403, 2097 982, 100 403) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-242-A-2 and VS-242-B-2. 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.
