A BREAKDOWN OF THE ARTIST/S :-

One of the first new wave acts to emerge during the musical shake-ups of 1977, the Boomtown Rats were also significant for spearheading an interest in young Irish rock. Originally formed in D£n Laoghaire in 1975 as the Nightlife Thugs, the Dublin-based band comprised part-time music journalist Bob Geldof (Born Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, 5 October 1951, D£n Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Eire; vocals), Garry Roberts (Born 16 June 1954, Eire; guitar, vocals), Gerry Cott (guitar), Johnnie Fingers (Born John Moylett, 10 September 1956, Eire; keyboards), Pete Briquette (Born Patrick Cusack, 2 July 1954, Eire; bass), and Simon Crowe (drums). They named themselves after Woody Guthrie's term for oilfield workers in his autobiography, Bound For Glory. Before moving to London, they signed to the recently established Ensign Records, which saw commercial possibilities in their highly energetic yet melodic work. Their 1977 self-titled debut album was a UK chart success and included two memorable singles, "Lookin' After No. 1" and "Mary Of The 4th Form", which both reached the UK Top 20. The following summer, A Tonic For The Troops was released to critical acclaim. Among its attendant hit singles were the biting "She's So Modern" and quirky "Like Clockwork". By November 1978, a third hit from the album, the acerbic urban protest "Rat Trap", secured them their first UK number 1.

In spite of their R&B leanings, the band was initially considered in some quarters as part of the punk upsurge and banned in their home country. They received considerable press thanks to the irrepressible loquaciousness of their lead singer, who made the press regard him as an individual, and certainly not a punk. A third album, The Fine Art Of Surfacing, coincided with their finest moment, "I Don't Like Mondays", the harrowing true-life story of an American teenage girl who, on 29 January 1979 in San Carlos, California, wounded eight children and killed her school janitor and headmaster. The weirdest aspect of the tale was her explanation on being confronted with the deed: "I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day." Geldof adapted those words to produce one of pop's most dramatic moments in years, with some startlingly effective piano-work from the appropriately named Johnnie Fingers. A massive UK number 1, the single proved almost impossible to match, as the energetic but average follow-up, "Someone's Looking At You", proved. Nevertheless, the Rats were still hitting the Top 5 in the UK and even released an understated but effective comment on Northern Ireland in "Banana Republic". By 1982, however, the band had fallen from critical and commercial grace and their subsequent recordings seemed pass‚. The same year's V Deep was recorded as a quintet following the departure of Cott. For Geldof, more important work lay ahead with the founding of Band Aid and much-needed world publicity on the devastating famine in Ethiopia. The Rats performed at the Live Aid concert on 13 July 1985 before bowing out the following year at Dublin's Self Aid benefit.

Discography:
The Boomtown Rats (Ensign/Mercury 1977)***, A Tonic For The Troops (Ensign/Columbia 1978)****, The Fine Art Of Surfacing (Ensign/Columbia 1979)***, Mondo Bongo (Mercury/Columbia 1981)***, V Deep (Mercury/Columbia 1982)**, In The Long Grass (Mercury/Columbia 1984)**.

　 　

 

THE COVER :- Single textured sleeve

THE LABEL :- Ensign labels

THE VINYL VISUALLY :- On initial inspection of this piece of vinyl I cannot see any areas of immediate concern. The vinyl sits perfectly flat on the turntable so there are no nasty warps to worry about. The vinyl still retains its just pressed quality, full of deep shine and lustre. I have only one or two very light marks that do not affect play. A lovely piece of vinyl. Excellent Plus condition visually.

THE VINYL PLAY GRADED :- The playgrading of the vinyl reveals barely any lessening in the sound quality. It lives up to its visual grading. There is very minimal surface noise. What very little there is can be only heard on the run in and run out of tracks and that is barely audible. Just a little in the deadwax The sound quality is high with a full dynamic range and very detailed sound. I feel certain this album has been played carefully and stored well over the years. I would grade the audio playback as Near Mint condition.

THE SLEEVE FRONT CONDITION :- This is the very earliest 1st press textured sleeve. The front of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. The sleeve reveals some light ringwear and no creases. The colours are bright and crisp. I would grade the front of the cover as Excellent condition.

THE SLEEVE REAR CONDITION :- The rear of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. There are no creases on the rear of the sleeve and only very light ringwear. Again the rear still retains its original crisp colours. I would grade the rear as Excellent condition.

THE LABEL SIDE ONE CONDITION :- Original Ensign 1st Press label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all. No signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE LABEL SIDE TWO CONDITION :- Original Ensign 1st Press label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all. No signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE SPINE CONDITION :- The writing on the spine is crystal clear. No spine splits at all. Just very light signs of shelfwear crinkling. Excellent condition.

THE TOP EDGE CONDITION :- The top edge shows some rubbing wear along the length.

THE BOTTOM EDGE CONDITION :- The bottom edge shows some light shelfwear wear along the length.

THE OPENING EDGE CONDITION :- The opening edge is in tidy condition with just one small area of handling wear.

THE INNER SLEEVE CONDITION :- The lyric inner sleeve is in Excellent condition. No rips or creasing.

THE EXTRAS :- No extras were given with this album

THE CATALOGUE NUMBER :- ENVY 1

THE YEAR OF RELEASE :-  1977

THE LABEL :- ENSIGN

THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN :-  UK

PLAYING FORMAT :- STEREO

THE MATRIX NUMBERS :-  ENVY 001 1Y//2  &  ENVY 001 2Y//2

 

 

TRACK LISTING :-

SIDE ONE :-

LOOKIN' AFTER No1 NEON HEART JOEY NEVER BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS MARY OF THE 4th FORM

SIDE TWO :-

(SHE'S GONNA) DO YOU IN CLOSE AS YOU'LL EVER BE I CAN MAKE IT IF YOU CAN KICKS

 

WHAT WE PLAY THE RECORD ON :- 

We use a Project 6 Perspex Turntable to play grade our records which delivers a rich authoritative sound and achieves a rich and weighty vibrancy unrivalled by the majority of decks within its price range

HOW WE CLEAN YOUR RECORD :- 

We use a V.P.I. HW-16.5 record cleaning machine to clean your vinyl. "A highly recommended machine" as quoted by Stereophile magazine. This removes any excess dirt before playing

HOW WE PACKAGE YOUR RECORD :- 

Your record will be package very securely to minimise any risk of damage during transit. We remove the record from the outer sleeve unless asked not to do so. This helps to minimise the risk of seam spliting. We use a high quality record mailer which is designed to give superior protection for your vinyl record. We place stiffeners either side of the record for added protection. The album will also be placed in a 450 gram Poly outer sleeve for even extra added protection

 

 

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING CHARGES FOR UK CUSTOMERS :-

We advise that items reaching over £50 in price to be insured and sent by Special Delivery. This protects both of us and ensures better handling of the parcel during transit.We are in no way out to make money from postage. The postage price includes the record mailer, stiffeners and plastic sleeve. We just want your item to reach you in the best possible condition. A breakdown of insured postal services are listed below. Please choose to use the relevant postal service for your own protection as once these rare records are lost they can quite often seldom be replaced

 SECOND CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- FREE

FIRST CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- £0.45

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY UPTO 500g :- £3.80

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY FROM 500g - 1000g :- £5.00

(SPECIAL DELIVERY INSURES YOUR ITEM UPTO £500)

 

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :-    

All records reaching under £10 are sent to the European Union by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £10

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £6.22 (For items under £10)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £11.37 (For items £10 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £13.97 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

 

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE USA AND CANADA :- 

All records reaching under £10 are sent to the USA & Canada by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £10

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £8.78 (For items under £10)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £13.93 (For items £10 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.53 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

 

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN AND ROW :- 

All records reaching under £10 are sent to the Australia & Japan by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £10

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS :- £9.06 (For items under £10)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £14.21 (For items £10 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.81 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PROFIT FROM POSTAGE, THE PRICES WE QUOTE ARE QUITE ACCURATE AND INCLUDE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS AT COST PRICE

 

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:

PLEASE AWAIT AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE CORRECT POSTAGE/SHIPPING CHARGES

 

BUYERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS :- 

Postage prices and courier methods for multiple purchases will be calculated after the auction end. It is impossible for us at the pre auction stage to determine these prices as the final weight is unknown.If you are the winner of multiple items the please await contact from us or alternately contact us yourself for a breakdown of the shipping costs.You will only pay the stamp price + relevant packaging charges so there are big savings to be made with multiple purchases

 

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR RECORD :-

We can accept the following payment methods

UK BUYERS :- 

PayPal Personal cheque (Please allow to clear) Bankers Draft Postal Order

OVERSEAS BUYERS :-

Paypal only

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS :-

We always try to appraise the record for sale as openly and honestly as possible and provide plenty of pictures for you to look at but please be aware that errors however rare do occur and not everyone has the same audio  equipment. There is no problem that cannot be worked out in a civilised manner. We urge you to contact us so that we can discuss any small problems that may occur. We offer a refund of the purchase price for returned items within 7 days of purchase and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have during the auction

SAVE US TO YOUR FAVOURITES LIST AS WE INTEND TO LIST MANY MORE RARE VINYL TREATS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS

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