Hammer Horror - UK 7” Demo (Demonstration) Single

This is a demonstration record - sometimes listed as "demo record" for short. Basically it's the same thing as a promotional copy. This one even comes in a first issue picture sleeve, which isn't always the case with these demonstration copies.

The labels on both the demonstration copy and the first issue release are exactly the same. The only visible difference here  is that "DEMO RECORD - NOT FOR RESALE" is printed on both sides of the demonstration copy. A large capital "A" is also found on the A Side.

Although it's not always the case, the vinyl inscriptions from many of the first issue releases can also be found on these demonstration copies. The vinyl inscription on the first issue pressing of Hammer Horror "We're All Playing A Hunch" can also be found on this version.

Wuthering Heights - German 7" Single

German 7" for Wuthering Heights, with a thin paper sleeve. The front of the sleeve reuses the same artwork found on the UK release - the only difference here being the catalogue number in the upper right-hand corner and the circular EMI logo in the lower right-hand corner.

The back of the sleeve features a very different layout. There's a German article about Kate's first TV appearance, which was Bio's Bahnhof. Not only is the article written by Dr. Alfred Biolek, but it also features a fairly imposing and slightly creepy photo of him on the back as well. I find it creepy, but also gross because it's not his single and he had nothing to do with the making of it, so why put his face on it? Another photo of Kate on the back would have been better than this.

The single features large centre holes, which are commonly found on Canadian and U.S. singles. The b-side is the same as the UK release.

I would probably say pass on this one.

Don't Give Up - UK 7" Single

UK 7" for Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up single. As far as I know this is the first issue of that single, but don't quote me on that as I'm not very enlightened where Gabriel's discography is concerned. I'm not really a fan of his, and if it wasn't for Kate being on this single, I wouldn't even have this. But anyway...

Unlike the Canadian 7" release, which you can see right here, the UK release comes in a nice picture sleeve.

Unfortunately, I haven't played this one in years, so I really couldn't tell you if this is an edit version or not. I simply can't remember. I can tell you that the b-side does not feature Kate though. It's just a normal Peter Gabriel track which I maybe played once.

Never For Ever - Edited Highlights Flexi Disc: Circular Version

I've never been a fan of flexi discs, and this is the only one I've ever collected in my life. Like Polish Postcards, the sound quality on flexi discs tend to be utterly bad. They're cheap and nasty, and really not worth collecting at all.

This one is a three track song sample of edited highlights from Never For Ever. Issued in 1980, this flexi was available in two forms. This is the UK version, which was released in a circular format. There was also another version of this released, but it had a square shape to it. I believe the square version came from some Belgium magazine or something.

For the benefit of anyone that doesn't know what a flexi disc is, it's basically a paper thin piece of plastic that's flexible like a sheet of paper - hence the name “flexi”. In fact, you could crumple these things up like a sheet of paper too, but I wouldn’t advise that unless you want to destroy it. Due to their nature and thinness, flexi discs are usually only pressed and playable on one side only.

There are many downsides to flexi discs, and it's basically why I've never had an interest in collecting these things. They can become easily damaged due to their extreme flimsiness, and the sound quality of the recordings aren’t usually up to snuff like a proper LP. Storing them can also be difficult; not only to prevent damage, but also to prevent warping. Humidity and heat can easily warp these things, so they need to be kept at room temperature and away from direct heat sources. Basically they're more trouble than they're worth.