Discography
Poison Takes A Hold (Fresh Records FRESH29. Released June 1981)
Poison Takes A Hold b/w Introduction (7″ only)
Recorded at Hallmark W1, December 1980 & April 1981
Notes: Both these tracks are available on the 1986 compilation ‘In The Beginning-The 1981 Singles (Jungle Records JUNG26T) as well as the 1993 ‘The First Flower’ CD reissue (Jungle Records CD003) and the 2015 ‘The First Flower’ Deluxe Vinyl reissue (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
TV Eye (Fresh Records FRESH 38. Released October 1981)
TV Eye b/w Final Epitaph (7″ only)
Recorded at Hallmark W1, August 1981. Produced by Cosmo.
Notes: Both these tracks are available on the 1986 compilation ‘In The Beginning-The 1981 Singles (Jungle Records JUNG26T) as well as the 1993 ‘The First Flower’ CD reissue (Jungle Records CD003) and the 2015 ‘The First Flower’ Deluxe Vinyl reissue (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
Propaganda (Jungle Records JUNG 2. Released January 1983)
Propaganda b/w Propaganda Mix (7″ only)
Produced by Roy Rowland and Play Dead. Recorded at Nagasaki Sudios London, April 1982.
Notes: ‘Propaganda’ is from the album ‘The First Flower’ (Jungle Records FREUD 4). This single was also re-issued in 2009 with the same catalogue number (JUNG 2). Both these tracks are also available on the 1993 ‘The First Flower’ CD reissue (Jungle Records CD003) and the 2015 ‘The First Flower’ Deluxe Vinyl reissue (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
The First Flower (Jungle Records FREUD 4. Released April 1983)
Side 1-Time/The Tenant/Propaganda
Side 2-Sin Of Sins/In Silence/Don’t Leave Without Me
Produced and engineered by Roy Rowland. Recorded at Nagasaki Studios London, March 1983. Propaganda recorded April 1982.
Notes: This album was reissued on CD with extra tracks in 1993 (Jungle Records CD003) and on vinyl with extra tracks in 2015 (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
Shine (Situation 2 Records SIT 28/SIT 28T. Released September 1983)
Shine/Promise (7″)
Shine/Promise/Gaze (12″)
Produced and engineered by Roy Rowland. Recorded at Nagasaki Studios London, August 1983.
Notes: All these tracks are available on the 1993 ‘First Flower’ CD reissue (Jungle Records CD003).
Break (Clay Records CLAY31/12CLAY31. Released April 1984)
Break/Bloodstains (7″)
Break/Bloodstains/Bloodstains Pleasure (12″)
Produced and engineered by John Fryer. Recorded at Blackwing Studios, March 1984.
Notes: All these tracks are available on the 1992 CD compilation ‘Resurrection’ (Clay Records CLAY CD111) and on the 2007 CD re-release of ‘From The Promised Land’ (Anagram/Cherry Red Records CDMGOTH27). Bloodstains & Bloodstains Pleasure is a re-recording of the track from the 1983 compilation album ‘The Whip’ (Kamera Records KAM014).
From The Promised Land (Clay Records CLAY LP11. Released May 1984)
Side 1- Isabel/Torn On Desire/Walk Away/Pleasureland
Side 2- Return To The East/No Motive/Holy Holy/Weeping Blood
Produced by John Fryer and Play Dead. Engineered by John Fryer.Recorded at Blackwing Studios, March 1984.
Notes: 1000 copies of this album were released before it was withdrawn, remixed and re-released. All these tracks, except ‘Weeping Blood’ are available on the 1992 CD compilation ‘Resurrection’ (Clay Records CLAY CD111). The album in its entirety, with extra bonus tracks, was reissued on CD by Anagram/Cherry Red Records in 2007 (CDMGOTH27).
Isabel (Clay Records CLAY35/12CLAY35. Released July 1984)
Isabel/Solace (7″)
Isabel/Solace-Extended Version (12″)
Produced and engineered by John Fryer. Recorded at Blackwing Studios, March 1984.
Notes: ‘Isabel’ is from the album ‘From The Promised Land’ (Clay Records CLAY LP11). All these tracks are also available on the 1992 CD compilation ‘Resurrection’ (Clay Records CLAY CD111) and on the 2007 CD re-release of ‘From The Promised Land’ (Anagram/Cherry Red Records CDMGOTH27).
Propaganda 1984 Mix (Jungle Records JUNG 017. Released October 1984)
Propaganda 1984 Mix/Sin Of Sins 1984 Mix (12″ only)
Produced and engineered by Roy Rowland. Propaganda recorded April 1982, Sin Of Sins recorded March 1983 at Nagasaki Studios, London. Re-mixed by John Fryer at Blackwing Studios, September 1984.
Notes: These two tracks were also released as a 7″ in Germany in 1984 (Funfundvierzig Records FUNFUNDVIERZIG4509).
Conspiracy (Clay Records CLAY40/12CLAY40. Released October 1984)
Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy (7″)
Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy/Conspiracy-Saigon Mix (12″)
Produced by John Fryer and Play Dead. Recorded at Blackwing Studios, September 1984.
Notes: ‘Conspiracy’ is also available on the 1985 compilation album ‘The Singles 1982-85’ (Clay Records CLAYLP20M) as well as the 1992 CD compilation ‘Resurrection’ (Clay Records CLAY CD111) and the 2007 CD reissue of ‘From The Promised Land’ (Anagram/Cherry Red Records CDMGOTH27).
Sacrosanct (Clay Records CLAY42.12CLAY42. Released February 1985)
Sacrosanct/Pale Fire (7″)
Sacrosanct/Pale Fire/Holy Holy-Catholic Mix/Sacrosanct-Heritic Mix (12″)
Produced by John Fryer and Play Dead. Engineered by John Fryer. Recorded at Blackwing, September & November 1984.
Notes: This version of ‘Sacrosanct’ is a different recording from the version on ‘Company Of Justice’ (Tanz Records TANZLP1). This version, plus ‘Pale Fire’ and ‘Holy Holy-Catholic Mix’ are all available on both the 1992 CD compilation ‘Resurrection’ (Clay Records CLAY CD111) and the 2007 CD reissue of ‘From The Promised Land’ (Anagram/Cherry Red Records CDMGOTH27).
Into The Fire (Live) (Clay Records CLAY LP16M. Released May 1985)
Side 1- Walk Away/Return To The East/Break/Torn On Desire
Side 2- Shine/Sin Of Sins/The Tenant/No Motive
Recorded live in Oxford on 23/02/85 on the RAK Mobile. Engineered by Steve Cooksey. Mixed at Strawberry Studios by Chris Nagle and Jon Burton.
Notes: This performance was also filmed and released as a VHS video cassette in June 1985 (Clay Records CVTHREE). The VHS also features two extra tracks- ‘Solace’ and ‘Propaganda’.
The Singles 1982-85 (Clay Records CLAYLP20M)
Side 1- Break/Conspiracy/Solace/Propaganda
Side 2- Isabel/Bloodstains/Pale Fire/Shine
Notes: A compilation of various A-side and B-side tracks. Eveything previously available.
This Side Of Heaven (Tanz Records TANZ1. Released September 1985)
This Side Of Heaven/This Side Of Heaven- Serious Mix/Last Degree (12″ only)
Produced by Conny Plank. Engineered by Conny Plank & Detlef Widerhoft.
Notes: ‘This Side Of Heaven’ is from the 1985 album ‘Company Of Justice’ (Tanz Records TANZLP1). ‘Last Degree’ is also available on the 1993 CD reissue of ‘Company Of Justice’ (Jungle Records FREUDCD041).
Company Of Justice (Tanz Records TANZLP1. Released October 1985)
Side 1- Witnesses/Caught On The Thorns/Company Of Justice/This Side Of Heaven/Judgement
Side 2- Chains/Celebration/Sacrosanct/Treason/Reward
Recorded at Conny’s Studio, West Germany, July 1985. Produced & engineered by Conny Plank. Assistant engineer Detlef Widerhoft.
Notes: This album was reissued on CD, with extra tracks, in 1993 (Jungle Records FREUDCD041) and as a Deluxe Vinyl Edition in 2015 (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV238LP).
Burning Down (Tanz Records TANZ2. Released February 1996)
Burning Down- Mescal Mix/Still In Chains/Burning Down (12″ only)
Produced & engineered by Conny Plank and Detlef Widehoft. Recorded at Conny’s Studio, December 1985.
Notes: ‘Still In Chains’ is a remix of the track ‘Chains’ from the ‘Company Of Justice LP’ (Tanz Records TANZLP1) ‘Burning Down- Mescal Mix’ is also available on the 1993 CD reissue of ‘Company Of Justice’ (Jungle Records FREUDCD041).
In The Beginning- The 1981 Singles (Jungle Records JUNG26T. Released 1986)
Poison Takes A Hold/Introduction/TV Eye/Final Epitaph (12″ only)
Recorded at Hallmark W1, December 1980, April 1981 & August 1981. ‘TV Eye’ and ‘Final Epitaph’ produced by Cosmo.
Notes: This is a reissue of the first two Fresh Records singles on 12″ format. These tracks are also available on the 1993 ‘The First Flower’ CD reissue (Jungle Records CD003) and the 2015 ‘The First Flower’ Deluxe Vinyl reissue (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
Caught From Behind (Live) (Dojo Records DOJOLP34. Released 1986)
Side 1- Break/Last Degree/Solace/Shine/Isabel
Side 2- Sin Of Sins/Torn On Desire/This Side Of Heaven/Sacrosanct/The Tenant
Recorded live in London & Nottingham UK, Berlin Germany, Paris France & Fribourg Switzerland at various points during 1984 & 1985.
Notes: Possibly of bootleg origin, the sources of these recordings appear to be mixing desk tapes. The audio quality varies.
The Final Epitaph (Live) (Jungle Records FREUD15. Released 1987)
Side 1- Shine/This Side Of Heaven/Last Degree/Witnesses/Burning Down/Company Of Justice
Side 2- Break/Caught On The Thorns/Judgement/Sacrosanct/The Tenant/Propaganda
Recorded live at Stevenage Bowes Lyon House, December 22nd 1985. This was Play Dead’s last performance. The source of this recording appears to be a mixing desk tape. The audio quality varies.
Notes: Some sources credit the track ‘Judgement’ as ‘Judgement Day’. Although a Play Dead track called ‘Judgement Day’ exists, it was never officially recorded and is only available on live bootlegs. ‘Judgement’ is the track from the ‘Company Of Justice’ LP. This album was reissued in a Deluxe Vinyl Edition in 2015 (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV340LP).
The First Flower (Re-issue) (Jungle Records FREUDCD003. Released 1992)
Time/The Tenant/Propaganda/Sin Of Sins/In Silence/Don’t Leave Without Me/Shine/Gaze/Promise/Propaganda(mix)/Propaganda(1984 mix)/Sin Of Sins(1984 mix)/Poison Takes A Hold/Introduction/TV Eye/Final Epitaph
Notes: ‘The First Flower’ remastered for CD. The inclusion of the extra tracks means that this is a collection of everything the band released prior to signing to Clay Records plus the ‘1984’ mixes, all of which were only previously available on vinyl. This re-release was then itself re-released as a Deluxe Vinyl Edition in 2015, although without the ‘Shine’ EP tracks (Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV237LP).
Resurrection (Clay Records CLAYCD111. Released 1992)
Break/Isabel/Walk Away/Bloodstains/Solace/No Motive/Pleasureland/Pale Fire/Sacrosanct/Torn On Desire/Holy Holy/Return To The East/Conspiracy/Sin Of Sins(live)/Bloodstains Pleasure(12″ mix)/Solace(12″ mix)/Holy Holy(12″ mix)
Notes: Basically ‘From The Promised Land’ remastered for CD. Although this differs from the original LP by re-ordering the tracks, deleting ‘Weeping Blood’ and interspersing them with Clay Records-era singles & b-sides.
From The Promised Land (Re-issue) (Anagram/Cherry Red Records CDMGOTH27. Released 2007)
Isabel/Torn On Desire/Walk Away/Pleasureland/Return To The East/No Motive/Holy Holy/Weeping Blood/Break/Bloodstains/Solace/Pale Fire/Sacrosanct/Conspiracy/Bloodstains Pleasure/Solace(Extended Version)/Holy Holy(Catholic Mix)
Notes: A proper CD reissue of ‘From The Promised Land’ with bonus tracks. This differs from ‘Resurrection’ by having the tracks in correct order and including ‘Weeping Blood’. Extra tracks are the same as ‘Resurrection’ but with ‘Sin Of Sins(live)’ deleted.
Compilations Play Dead tracks have appeared on numerous compilation albums, usually with tiresome Gothic themes, over the years. All the tracks have been previously issued and are better found on the original pressings or the official re-releases. The exceptions to this are below-
The Whip (Kamera Records KAM014. Released 1983)
Features ‘Bloodstains Pleasure’
Notes: Produced & engineered by Roy Rowland (also responsible for ‘The First Flower’ and the ‘Shine’ EP) this is an earlier version of the track, which was recorded over a year before the Clay Records version. This album was reissued on CD in 1993 (Jungle Records FREUDCD043).
Just Say Yeah (Tanz Records TANZLP2. Released 1986)
Features ‘Still In Chains’ and ‘Burning Down’
Notes: This compilation was released on the band’s own label. Also features Chatshow, Gaye Bykers On Acid, Bomb Party etc
Side Projects Up until the band split in 1986 and the members went their separate ways, the only output outside of Play Dead itself was this one off single-
M.A.D. (Criminal Damage Records CRI12121. Released September 1984)
Sunfeast b/w Craving (12″ only)
Produced by John Fryer & MAD. Engineered by John Fryer. Recorded at Blackwing Studoios, July 1984
Notes: M.A.D. stood for Mankind’s Audio Development and at this time of writing, there is some confusion about how many members of Play Dead were involved in this project and what their actual contributions were. Extra artists also appearing on this recording are Nick Van Der Grinten and Mich Ebeling. More M.A.D. recordings were planned after this one but ultimately nothing became of the project.