Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1979
Drums And Wires 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.
30 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
V-2129-A2 1 A SOUND CLINIC 5Side A runout variant 1
V-2129-B1 3 JONZ ASide B runout variant 1
VDJ.30.A1 A Jonz 3Side C runout variant 1
VDJ.30.B2 W Jonz 0Side D runout variant 1
V-2129-A2 SOUND CLINICSide A runout, variant 1
V-2129-B2 JONZSide B runout, variant 1
V-2129-A1 6 A SOUND CLINICSide A runout, variant 2
V-2129-B1 7 A JONZ.Side B runout, variant 2
0-2 SM 1-1 ST-VA-794393-C @tGP SPECSide A, Etched
0-1 SM 1-1 ST-VA-794394-D @tGP SPECSide B, Etched
ST-VA-794393-C SP EC @tGP 0-1 SM 1-2Side A, Etched [Var. 2]
ST-VA-794394-D @tGP SPEC 0-1 SM1-2Side B, Etched [Var. 2]
ST-VA-794393-C @tGP MON △ 24601 ①Side A runout
ST-VA-794394-D @tGP △ 24601-X ② MONSide B runout
ST-PR 344 A-2 @tGP 1- GRACIE-79 [SRC logo] △ 106486Side C runout
ST-PR-344 B-2 1- GRACIE-79 △ 106486-X [SRC logo]Side D runout
ST-VA-794373-C cmp MON Δ24601 1A Runout Etching
ST-VA-794374-D CTP Δ24601-X 2 MONB Runout Etching
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 L 37059First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Benelux | Virgin 200 917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Virgin V 2129 / Virgin V2129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Virgin V 2129 / Virgin V2129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2473 785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 200 917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2473 785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1979 | Greece | Virgin 2473 785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | Virgin LAE-223LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2129LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic PE 38151 / Virgin PE 38151LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic PE 38151 / Virgin PE 38151LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Epic PE 38151 / Virgin PE 38151LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Venezuela | Beta Record C.A. LPBS-1043LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Geffen Records GHS 4034LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Germany | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin OVED 113LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin OVED 113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | UK | Virgin OVED 113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK | Ape House APELP103LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, All Media, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, All Media, Reissue · Limited |
| 2020 | UK | Ape House APELP103LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | UK | Ape House APELP103(C)LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | UK | Ape House APELPR103LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2129LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, White Label, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Australia | Virgin V 2129LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-270LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 200 917-320LP | LP |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 200 917 / Virgin 200 917-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | New Zealand | Virgin V 2129LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 113LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Geffen Records GHS 4034LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
58 vinyl pressings of Drums And Wires are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1979 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin V 2129, released August 17, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2129, VA 13134, L 37059, 200 917-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2129-A2 1 A SOUND CLINIC 5 and V-2129-B1 3 JONZ A. 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.
