Name: Hee Haw
Brand: Birthday Party

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

DPRLP135

Colour

Colour details

Red, Black and White Twist

Discogs ID

[r25919068]

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Drastic Plastic Edition

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-06-09

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Lasgo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0856684006315

Total Cap

Red LP

gad307cd

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "gad307cd"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

2006-01-16

PIAS

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Birthday Party

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

The Birthday Party were an Australian post-punk band, active from 1978 to 1983. Originally known as Boys Next Door, they changed their name and gained recognition for their unique sound and intense live performances.
Formed in Melbourne, the band consisted of Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Rowland S. Howard, Tracy Pew, and Phill Calvert. Their music blended elements of punk rock with dark lyrics and experimental sounds.
The Birthday Party's discography includes influential albums such as "Prayers on Fire" and "Junkyard." Their raw energy and chaotic stage presence left a lasting impact on the post-punk genre.

Newest Listed Items

The influential 4AD label was started in 1980 by music enthusiasts Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent with financial help from Beggars Banquet, whose record store chain the pair worked for. Originally called Axis, they released an initial series of four 7" singles before finding out that the name Axis was already being used by another label. They quickly came up with a new name, 4AD, inspired by typography on a flyer announcing their releases. Under Ivo Watts-Russell's guidance, drawing influence from other UK indie labels such as Beggars Banquet, Postcard Records and Factory, 4AD quickly established a unique identity thanks to both the cover designs of Vaughan Oliver/v23 and the label's unique numbering system.

In 1992, 4AD entered a highly publicized Stateside distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records, opening offices in New York headed up by Robin Hurley. The label was largely run from California for most of the decade after Ivo Watts-Russell moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s. In November 1999 it was announced that Martin Mills had taken over as chairman and relocated its HQ to London.

Decoding their unique numbering system reveals various formats like mail-order only releases (4AD), LPs (CAD), MP3 downloads (EAD), posters (FAD), videos (VAD) and more. The numeric portion of their catalog numbers

Hee Haw compiles the Birthday Party's work between 1979's Door Door album (released under the band name The Boys Next Door) and their first "proper" album, 1981's Prayers On Fire. The earliest tracks were recorded in 1979 and are full of bizarre time signatures, weird herky-jerky rhythms, and obscure lyrics. By the time 1980 rolled around with the "Mr. Clarinet" single, things were much more focused—the band retained all of those earlier elements, but managed to put them together into a more controlled, but no less explosive, package. Later that year, the "Friend Catcher" single further honed this approach—Tracy Pew's thick, serpentine bass playing, Rowland S Howard's alternately discordant and razor sharp guitars, and Phil Calvert's hammering drums. Over it all, Nick Cave's harrowing vocals delivered the obscure and intensely weird lyrics. Standouts from this collection include the above-mentioned "Mr. Clarinet", a crunching track with some wicked organ riffs courtesy of Mick Harvey (the band's designated multi-instrumentalist) and "Waving My Arms", a hyperactive pop song with gang vocals, a sonically clear guitar riff, and the occasional horn blast. It's also worth mentioning that this was probably the band's last straightforward song.

Hee Haw

Music GB