The Teardrop Explodes were an English post-punk/neo-psychedelic band formed in Liverpool in 1978. Best known for their Top Ten UK single “Reward” (which is still a staple of 1980s alternative pop compilations), the group originated as a key band in the emerging Liverpool post-punk scene of the late 1970s, the group also launched the career of group frontman Julian Cope as well as that of keyboard player and co-manager David Balfe (later a record producer, A&R man, and founder of Food Records).

Along with other contemporary Liverpudlian groups, The Teardrop Explodes played a role in returning psychedelic elements to mainstream British rock and pop, initially favouring a modernised version of lightly psychedelic late 60s-influenced beat-group sound and later exploring more experimental areas. In addition to their musical reputation, the band (and Cope in particular) had a reputation for eccentric pronouncements and behaviour, sometimes verging on the self-destructive. These featured strongly in contemporary press accounts and were later expanded on in Cope’s 1993 memoir Head On.

These sets compile all the bands singles as well as 4 discs of unreleased of rare studio and live out- takes – Compiled by long time band publicist Mick Houghton who gained exclusive access to Julian Copes archive, these recordings show the evolution of one of the most influential bands of the Era from beginning to end. As well as some rare live shows

The book contains an essay and time-line from Mick who has interviewed Julian amongst others to recall the time when the band had the world at their feet and contains rare memorabilia from the time. The tracks have been re-mastered by Andy Pearce where ever possible from original tapes and cassettes.

This limited edition exclusive on both CD and Vinyl is the last word on one of the UK’s most revered bands,

Tracklist:

DISC ONE: IT'S SO ETHEREAL - THE SINGLES

1. Sleeping Gas - Zoo Single
2. Camera Camera - Single B-Side
3. Kirby Workers Dream Fades - Single B-Side
4. Bouncing Babies - Zoo Single
5. All I Am Is Loving You - Single B-Side
6. Treason - Zoo Single
7. Read It in Books - Single B-Side
8. When I Dream - First Mercury Single
9. Kilimanjaro - B-Side
10. Reward - Single
11. Strange House in the Snow - B-Side
12. Treason (It's Just a Story) (Remixed Version) - Single
13. Use Me - B-Side
14. Traison (C'est Juste Une Histoire) - B-Side
15. Ha Ha I'm Drowning - Single
16. Poppies In the Field - B-Side
     

DISC TWO: CHRIST VERSUS WARHOL - THE SINGLES

1. Passionate Friend - Single
2. Christ Vs Warhol - B-Side
3. Colours Fly Away - Single
4. East Of the Equator - B-Side
5. Window Shopping for A New Crown of Thorns - B-Side
6. Tiny Children - Single
7. Rachel Built a Steamboat - B-Side
8. You Disappear from View - Single
9. Suffocate - No Strings Version
10. Ouch Monkeys - B-Side
11. Soft Enough for You - B-Side
12. The In-Psychlopedia - B-Side
     

DISC THREE: FROM DRUG PURITAN TO ACID KING - DEMOS

1. Camera Camera - Granada TV
2. Band on The Wall - Manchester Feb 1979
3. Instro
4. Sleeping Gas
5. Seeing Through You
6. Straight Rain
7. All I Am is Loving You
8. Read It In Books
9. Jury Service
10. Take A Chance
11. The Tunnel
12. Camera Camera
13. Outstro
14. Sleeping Gas
15. Beauty Come Second - Live Bristol 06 October 1979
16. Take A Chance - Cargo Demos / Lake Placid Version
17. Poppies In the Field - Cargo Demos
18. Brave Boys Keep Promises - Cargo Demos
19. Bouncing Babies - Cargo Demos
20. Ha Ha I'm Drowning - Live at Studio Y 30/05/1980
21. Second Head - Live at Studio Y 30/05/1980
22. Went Crazy - Live at Studio Y 30/05/1980
23. Thief Of Bagdad - Live at Studio Y 30/05/1980
24. Save Me - Live Y Club - London 30/05/1980
25. When I Dream - To the Shores Of Lake Placid Version
     

DISC FOUR: THE GREAT DOMINIONS - DEMOS

1. Dialogue Between (Window Shopping for a New Crown of Thorns) - Mick Finkler Original Versions
2. For Years aka Nobody Knows This Is Everywhere - Zoology Version
3. Suffocate (With Strings) - Teardrops Cassette #3
4. Bent Out of Shape - Peel Session - 17 August 1981
5. Colours Fly Away - Club Zoo - 25 November 1981
6. Pure Joy - Club Zoo - 25 November 1981
7. Falling Down Around Me - Falling Down Around Me Cassette
8. Passionate Friend - Falling Down Around Me Cassette
9. Tiny Children - Zoology / Air Rough Mixes
10. …And The Fighting Takes Over - Zoology
11. The Culture Bunker - Club Zoo - 25 November 1981
12. The Great Dominions - Soundboard Tape Guildford June 1981
13. Butchers Tale - Air Studios Rough Mixes
14. Screaming Secrets - Copes Notes Version
15. Not My Only Friend - Falling Down Around Me Cassette
16. I'm Not the Loving Kind - Zoology Version
17. World Shut Your Mouth - Instrumental Demo #1 - Liverpool Feb 1981 / Portastudio
     

DISC FIVE: CLUB ZOO - CLUB ZOO - DECEMBER 22 1981

1. Log Cabin
2. Tiny Children
3. Passionate Friend
4. Bouncing Babies
5. You Disappear from View
6. Ha Ha I'm Drowning
7. Reward
8. Culture Bunker
9. Sleeping Gas
10. Like Leila Khaled Said
11. Treason
12. Bouncing Babies
13. Clemantis
14. Sleeping Gas
     

DISC SIX: DEATH RATTLE – DEMOS

1. Whopper Kwalo Klobinsky's Lullaby - Lake Placid Version
2. You Disappear from View - Zoology / Producers Workshop
3. Log Cabin - Zoology
4. Clemantis - Club Zoo - November 25 1981
5. Serious Danger - JC And DB Cassette (Take 2 of 3)
6. Count To Ten and Run for Cover - JC And DB Cassette
7. Ouch Monkeys - JC And DB Cassette
8. Icarus #1 - JC And DB Cassette
9. Terrorist - JC And DB Cassette
10. Pussyface - Instrumental - Live and Rare
11. Flipped Out on LSD - Live and Rare w Louder Vocal
12. Your Big Lies - Tamworth May 1982
13. Camera Camera - With Steve Lovell 1984