Vinyl pressings
by The New Christs · 1989
Distemper was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
SMX ̶7̶1̶1̶0̶3̶ 7224 ̷4̷ 3 DB-3 8BSide A Runout etched
̶S̶M̶X̶7̶1̶1̶0̶4̶ 72244 DB 8DSide B Runout etched
SMX-72243Side A label
SMX-72244Side B label
SMX 71103 DB-3Runout A, etched
SMX 71104 8C3 LZ B△2Runout B, etched
MASTERED BY STUDIOS 301Runout B, stamped with bottom of letter next to label
SMX 71103 DB-3 8BRunout A, etched
SMX 71104 8C3 LZ B△2Runout B, etched
MASTERED BY STUDIOS 301Runout B, stamped with bottom of letter next to label
(Side A): 8B SMX 71103 DB-3
(Side B): 8D SMX 71104 DB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | France | Citadel CIF 006 / Closer Records CIT 006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | France | Closer Records CIT 006LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Germany | Citadel CGAS 807 / Citadel CGAS - 807First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Germany | Citadel CGAS 807 / Citadel CGAS - 807First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Hitch-Hyke Records LIFT 017First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1989 | Greece | Hitch-Hyke Records Lift 017LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Italy | Diva Records DVLP 1003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Spain | Romilar-D Records 017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia & New Zealand | Festival Records L 30141 / Blue Mosque CITLP 524First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Spain | Bang! Records Bang!-LP73LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
10 vinyl pressings of Distemper are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1989 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Australia & New Zealand, France, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Festival Records L 30141, released August 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L 30141, CIF 006, CGAS 807, LIFT 017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX ̶7̶1̶1̶0̶3̶ 7224 ̷4̷ 3 DB-3 8B and ̶S̶M̶X̶7̶1̶1̶0̶4̶ 72244 DB 8D. 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.
