Sunny day real estate-How it feels to be something on LP Repress

Hard to believe that this is eighteen years old. I still remember picking up a black vinyl copy from the much missed selectadisc disc in Nottingham while on a weekend break with an ex girlfriend just when it came out. Where as 'Diary' was an instant classic this never really made a huge a huge impact on me. Still that didn't stop me ordering the repress. Listening to this again after many years I still think it's vastly inferior to the debut album (and even the second one) although it's still a decent record. Have to say the colour vinyl looks sweet as hell. Worth getting for that alone.

Sick of it all-s/t 7" Gilman street pressing

Unlike 2015 I haven’t been chasing many big items this year. Partly because 2015 was the most expensive (and best) year ever of my entire collecting career and also I’ve had other funds going out lately like some stuff that needed doing to my house and I’ve been to NYC twice over the last 12 months as well. With the £pound being in the toilet thanks to 52% of the voting public choosing to leave Europe it’s screwed up everything-especially buying expensive records from abroad. Or even visiting abroad.

The most expensive record I’ve had this year is the Gilman street pressing of the first Sick of it all 7”. While not in the same league and price range as the likes of Chung king or true till death silver sleeve, it’s still one of the big hitters on Revelation and a really cool item to own. Funny enough, this wasn’t even on my wants list (a glaring omission I know) but a friend emailed me offering me a couple of things including this. Of course I didn’t mess about, I said yes pretty much straight away.

 This was a pressing made up for a show in 1988 and in my opinion is easily the best thing that they ever did (although the first four albums are solid but they don’t touch this). Definitely one of the NYHC classics.

 Each copy is numbered on the top of the inner sleeve as you can see. I’m very happy with this as you can see it’s in great condition. This marks my 8^th copy of this record. To anyone who doesn’t collect records obsessively that might seem like an insane amount but I’m way off of completing the collection. I haven’t even got a copy of the recent Conne island pressing and with it going for something daft like 160 Euros on Discogs it might be a while till one falls in my hands.

(Los) Crudos-Doble LP Discografía 2xLP Green vinyl

(Los) Crudos were one of the most prominent and inspiring hardcore bands of the nineties. Musically they were more similar to the many international hardcore punk groups of the eighties but they were known more for their Spanish speaking vocals and lyrics and also their desperation and passion. This wasn't a bunch of privileged kids with rich parents and designer skate clothing, these were the real deal. This discography was released a few years ago by Maximum rock n roll magazine but thankfully La vida es un mus records outta London has done the much needed European press. It compiles everything and sounds and looks great and comes wrapped in a luscious gatefold sleeve with a lyric booklet. Even if you have all their stuff already this worth picking up. If you hurry up you can still snag the limited green vinyl. http://lavidaesunmus.com/shop/product.php?id_product=4304

Iron Maiden-Maidens back from hell 2xLP

So it brings us to the last of the maiden bootleg score. The tracklist is as same as the previous one but sound quality just isn't quite as good although you have to admit the packaging is great and it looks sweet on green vinyl. Also it starts part way through 'somewhere in time' so the intro and first part of the song are missed out. Maiden are still the best live band out there and now this has tempted me to go on the hunt for more of their unofficial live albums. The fun never ends.....

Iron maiden-When it's time to rock 2xLP

Out of these four bootlegs this is my absolute favourite. Recorded at Bristol 1986 on the somewhere on tour, I used to play this one all the time via dubbed cassette (Hey I looked after my records well even back then). Somewhere in time was always my fave Maiden album so this one was a bit special. I was just a bit too young (14) to go and see them live in Manchester. It would be a year later till I busted my gig going cherry (actually before I busted my proper cherry!!).
 The quality on this is really good for a non professional recording. It's possibly my favourite ever gig that I never went to. In fact when I visited a friend once in Bristol we went past the Colston Hall and I actually thought about that magical evening that took place there all those years before.

Iron Maiden-Eddy's mind 2xLP

Ok here's the second of my bootleg score. It's a recording from Milan 1984 from the world slavery tour and the set list is almost identical to Live after death. Quality obviously isn't like that official live masterpiece but it's still pretty decent. I like the cover although it obviously wasn't a Derek Riggs' illustration but some fan's own interpretation of Eddie. And of course they spelled his name wrong on the album's title.

 Another thing about this is that those hand drawn labels were done by me aged 15. So you know what I mean about getting part of my childhood back?

All in all this is a cool one. This was also pressed on blue splatter vinyl but good luck getting one of those. I only ever saw one once and that was in 1987 (just before I got this) and it was going for daft money back then.

Iron Maiden-We shall never surrender 2XLP

So here's the first of my bootleg score. As I said in my previous post these belonged to me originally. This one I think came from a record fair in either Blackburn or Blackpool (both horrible towns) circa 1987. Sides A, B + C were recorded in New York 1982 and were broadcast for some radio show so the sound quality is very good and side D is from Stockholm 1984 but only a few songs from that show. The cover art is actually from the magazine Heavy metal. I think I even had the issue that picture is from which was typical of bootlegs of the time Some just used totally irrevelvent pictures for the front cover which kinda added to the mystique. Bruce is on form here. He must be the greatest frontman of all time. You honestly feel like he's just talking to you directly. What a dude.