Record of the Week: Never Stop 7" Spanish Release

Here we have a nice alternative to the standard 7" vinyl that was released for the single "Never Stop!"
Issued on the Spanish Label 'Nuevos Medios', this version of "Never Stop!" features an alternative picture sleeve than that issued for the US and regular European release. It has the label # 60393S.
Although not seen as often as the general release, it can usually be had for around $25.00, depending on the condition of the picture sleeve. The drawback of the solid black sleeve is the propensity for bends and fingerprints, as seen in this example.

Track Listing:

1. Side A:  "Never Stop!"  3:56.07
2. Side B:  "Agony [Until Death]"  5:10.26

Never Stop! (Spanish) Sleeve

Never Stop! (Spanish) Sleeve reverse

Never Stop! (Spanish) Vinyl Side A

Never Stop! (Spanish) Vinyl Side B

Record of the Week: FRNT 2 Never Stop! Promo

Following up on its success with the Headhunter single and FRONT X FRONT album, Front 242 issued the EP Never Stop! This promo preceded that release.

FRNT 2 is actually a European promo issued on Red Rhino Records, but a number of them were imported to the US for Wax Trax!, so much so that this promo did appear on the Billboard Hot Club Play Charts.

Side A features "Never Stop! (V1.1) with Side B featuring the club-friendly "First In/First Out"

An interesting story behind the creation and meaning of the track "First In/First Out", from an interview in Alternative Press, November 1988:
"Take for example the very house-ish "First In/First Out" standard with simplified M/A/R/R/S vocals and funk beats galore. 'We did that song on purpose,' Richard pauses before trying to explain what happened. 'Basically, we did it because the bass line sounds funny. Daniel came up with that base line and when I heard it I said, 'It sounds like house music.' I mean, honestly, it's funny because there was no purpose behind that. Just the fact that it happened. We don't really want to do house music. We just kept the bass line and worked on it so you really don't have a house track, it's something funny. That's why we call it "First In/First Out" because it's the first time we did that kind of shit and it's the last time as well."


Despite this DJ Promo being limited to 1000 copies, promo record FRNT 2 seems fairly easy to come by these days.  In collecting this single, be sure to obtain the photocopied insert, at least with the ones promoted by Wax Trax! records. Also a must is the condition of the picture sleeve itself. I have seen these offered without the FRNT 2 sleeve. Depending on condition, this one is easily had in the $10.00 - $25.00 range.

FRNT 2

Detail

FRNT 2 Side A

FRNT 2 Side B

FRNT 2 Photocopied Insert

Bootleg of the Week: The Tyrany Never Stops

Another common bootleg which, misspellings aside, is rather good is:  "The Tyrany Never Stops." From the start, with the misspelling of "Tyrany" you know this one may have a few mistakes! This disc is a recording made live at Offenbach, Stadthalle (Germany)  http://www.stadthalle-offenbach.de/   on March 25, 1991.

The "label" is "Experience In Word & Music" and is catalogue number EWM 008. It features 12 tracks from the Tyranny Tour. The color picture sleeve artwork is directly lifted from the Never Stop single. Although in booklet format, the inside of the actual booklet is blank. The back artwork duplicates the same. The disc itself is rather plain. The sound is average, with much audience participation. As with any live 242 performance, it is always a treat to see how 242 will perform variations of their songs. No performances are ever the same! My personal favorite from this disc would likely be the U-Men/W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G. medley. "Mixed By Fear" is somewhat unique with Richard signing the chorus "DSM One..." Although it seemed much more rare "back in the day," I see this one a little more common now and it usually retails between $25.00 - $50.00

The track listing follows, with corrections in parenthesis:

Rhythm of Time  10:21
Masterhit  5:02
Soul Manager  4:28
The Untold  4:44
Until Dead  4:29  (Until Death Us Do Part)
Mixed By Fear  12:52 (This World Must Be Destroyed/DSM01/Moldavia medley)
Im Rhythmus Bleiben  3:45
U-Men W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G.  5:05
Gripped By Fear  5:04
Tyrany For You  4:39  (Slo-Mo)
Never Stop  4:44
Headhunter  4:55