BND / Nick Cave: The Birthday Party – vinyl LP 1980

	A$		46
	$		31

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR – THE BIRTHDAY PARTY (LP) 1980

Artist:  The Boys Next Door

Title:  The Birthday Party

Format:  12-inch LP; 33 rpm
Date:  1980
Label:   Missing Link Records (LINK 7)

Distributor:  7 Records

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Background:   The Birthday Party LP is the second major recording by The Boys Next Door for the independent label, Missing Link Records (of which the band’s manager, Keith Glass, was a co-founder).  The tracks for the album were recorded during August-September 1979 and January-February 1980 at Richmond Recorders in Melbourne, engineered by Tony Cohen.  The ten-track LP was released in 1980.  This album further explores the abrasive, rhythmic and complex sound first introduced in the earlier Hee Haw EP.

The Boys Next Door had achieved moderate success in Australia, but in 1980 they opted to re-locate to the UK.  The Birthday Party LP represents the re-branding of the band that occurred in mid-1980 during their transition from Australia to the UK (when they changed their name to The Birthday Party).  The band’s name appears to be purposefully ambiguous on the album cover; although the labels on the actual record name the artist as The Boys Next Door, the album sleeve simply lists the band members above the words “The Birthday Party”.

The tracks from the original The Birthday Party LP were re-released in 1988-9 as part of a compilation of early recordings called Hee Haw (under the name of The Birthday Party).  The record for sale is the original LP by The Boys Next door released in 1980.

Tracks:      Side One:   

1.            Mr. Clarinet

2.            Hats on Wrong

3.            The Hair Shirt

4.            Guilt Parade

5.            Riddle House

Side Two:

6.            The Friend Catcher

7.            Waving My Arms

8.            The Red Clock

9.            Cat Man

10.         Happy Birthday 

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Condition:  The Birthday Party LP for sale here is the original 1980 release by The Boys Next Door.  The quality of the complete package – vinyl, labels and sleeve – is good to very good.  

The only blemishes that can be discerned are:

• the sleeve has a few very small, barely-noticeable spots (front and back); there are crease-marks in several of the corners; slight deformations in a few places along the sleeve’s open edge; an imprint of the record can be discerned. 
• the vinyl has a few scuff marks or light scratches; the record plays without apparent crackles. 

The condition can be summarised as:

·         Vinyl: VG+ (possibly EX)

·         Label: NM

·         Sleeve: VG+ (possibly EX)

Grading categories:

·           MINT: Unplayed – record, sleeve, inner sleeve and any inserts are all as new, and label has no spindle hole wear.

·           NM: Known to have been played but vinyl is virtually pristine.  Label almost as new but indication of record being played may be visible at spindle hole.  Sleeves almost perfect.

·           EX: Vinyl is free of scratches but may have scuff marks.  Slight wear may be present at spindle hole. Sleeve has slight wear but nothing significant.

·           VG+: Vinyl will have just a few light scratches but will play without crackles or any serious sound problems; label may have some wear marks.  Sleeve will have easily visible wear.

·           VG: Expect some light scratches; loss of some sheen on the vinyl; easily visible wear at spindle hole; perhaps a name neatly on label or sleeve; a touch of surface noise; fairly significant sleeve wear.

Payment: 

• Australia: Bank Deposit, Paypal or Money Order.
• Other countries: Paypal only.

If using bank payment, please quote the EBay Order or Item No. so I can identify your payment.  All sales must be finalised within seven days of the completion of the auction.  

Postage and Handling: 

• Australia: $7.50 (regular postage).
• Other countries: Please enquire; I will calculate it according to the Ebay-calculated postage rates to your country.

The record will be securely packaged for posting to the successful bidder. 

Please contact me, before the item is posted, if registration and insurance is required.  I am happy to provide a quote at any time for postal arrangements extra to regular postage.

Returns Policy:  If this item falls short of my description I will provide a refund (less return postage costs).  I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.

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