List of UK promo-only 12” (mainly white sleeves)

Items 079 :

Condition : Excellent
Includes : Signed by Alan Wilder

(To be offered separately)

: General information :
Promotional Only Pressings A ‘promo’ release is a record solely designated to be sent to radio stations or similar. They often contain special edits for radio or club use, have a catalog number specific to its release (usually with a P somewhere in it, like ‘P12BONGxx’), and they sometimes contain mixes which are not commercially available. They are nearly always pressed in limited numbers and, as such, are very collectable. Cut Out (or ‘notched’, ‘hole punched’) A ‘cut out’ release is a commercial release, but it is defaced in one of the following ways: a) A large hole punched out of the cover (usually over the UPC bar code) b) A gold stamp on the front cover, stating that the item is for “promotional use only, and not for sale” c) A “saw cut” or ‘notch’ on the edge of the cover d) One of the corners of the cover cut off. These are usually commercial copies that are shipped to record retailers for in-store play, as well as radio stations and magazine reviewers.

: General information :

: Alan's comments :
“Depeche Mode found themselves at the forefront of the remix craze which began in the early ‘80s. It became clear that one could gain a distinct advantage by releasing multiple formats of the same single (identical catalogue number) which would all count towards a UK chart position. The completist fan would feel obligated to purchase every format which would help boost sales. This is why the 12” and limited 12” versions would appear 2 or 3 weeks after the 7” release, in order to maintain a steady sales pattern, keep the record moving in the right direction, and secure a ‘Top of The Pops’ appearance which would in turn boost sales again the following week. Everyone was at it although some took the strategy way too far – Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s label ZTT cynically released about 10 different versions of ‘Relax’ – after which the BPI changed the chart rules disallowing more than a certain quota per release. By then though the 12” remix concept was firmly established. Personally, I preferred the days when we would produce our own rather than farm them out to DJs and the like, but time and energy was often against us. Depeche Mode has probably been responsible for more 12” remixes than just about any other group on the planet! With mixed results it has to be said.”

: Alan's comments :

Details :

New Life / 12MUTE014 / UK 1981
White label, white sleeve promo

A Question Of Time / L12BONG12 / UK 1986
No number, white label, red text

2 x Behind The Wheel / DBONG15 / UK 1987
White label promo, transparent sleeve

2 x Everything Counts-Live / P12BONG16 / UK 1988
White sleeve, white label

2 x World In My Eyes / P12BONG20 / UK 1990
HG – Pulsating Orbital [Instrumental]. Only available on this 12”

2 x Walking In My Shoes / P12BONG22 / UK 1993
Promo copy, white sleeve, Mute logo

Freelove / P12BONG32 / UK 2001
Custom sleeve

Freelove / PL12BONG32 / UK 2001
2 x 12” Custom sleeve

Enjoy The Slience 04 / P12BONG34 / EU 2004
2 x 12” Custom sleeve

Enjoy The Slience 04 / PL12BONG34 / EU 2004
Custom sleeve

Enjoy The Slience 04 / PXL12BONG34 / EU 2004
Custom sleeve

Martyr / PXL12BONG39 / EU
Promo copy, white sleeve, black label