Oddities

Not really sure where to put these items but random and glorious things pop up on the internet every now and then.

Original Demo Cassette

Images shared by Andy Strickland (musician and music journalist) via Twitter.  A 2-trk demo cassette?  The demo version of Can't Be Sure was released as a b-side on the 1997 Cry single - I wonder if it's the same version as on this cassette? 

Demo-Promo Cassette Lot

Images are originally from Omega Auctions (UK).  In October 2020, there was a SUNDAYS demo-promo cassette lot listed in Omega's 'Live from Liverpool: Rare & Collectible Vinyl' auction.  The auction catalog estimated the lot in the £100-150 range.  Not sure if the listing sold but the photos are awe-inspiring.  Looks like test cassettes and demo/studio tapes with multiple takes of "Story" and "Can't Be Sure", among other goodies.  

Here is the actual description (from Omega Auctions): 

"THE SUNDAYS - DEMO/PROMO CASSETTES. Fantastic archive of 17 x demo/promo cassettes (including studio mixes) from the Indie Rockers. Releases include Can't Be Sure (dated 2-1-89 containing mixes '16', '19', '20' and '21', also with another copy of Can't Be Sure stating 'x3' on the label), You're Not The Only One I Know/My Finest Hour/Joy (dated 16.80.89), Skin & Bones/Here's Where The Story Ends (with 3 versions of this track, the label stating 'some album tracks 29-9-89'), Reading, Writing And Arithmetic (Copymasters), I Won/Joy/Here's Where The Story Ends/I Kicked A Boy/Can't Be Sure/You're Not The Only One I Know (Copymasters), John Peel Session and '3rd Album'. The cassettes appear to mainly be in excellent condition."

Fan Response Letter

Image shared by Sheridan Whiteside via Facebook.  Apparently, if you wrote to the band in those early days, some fans eventually received a copied/typed letter from the band.  Luckier fans received further personalized correspondence from Dave and Harriet over time.  How cool is that?

The Black Session - Composite Master DAT

Image shared by Alan Bershaw via Facebook.  This is one of the composite master DATs for the Black Sessions France Inter FM.  This tape includes the two tracks that were not broadcast: Turkish and I Kicked A Boy, spliced in from the room tape master.  Wow.

Wild Horses Demo/Promo Cassette

Image from ultra-sloth. Contains 4 versions of Wild Horses.  

"...got this tape with a BUNCH of other demos & promos originally from a Sony producer in LA."

Album Certifications / In-house Awards

Commerically successful in both the UK and US, each of their LPs achieved either Silver or Gold certifications from the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) and/or the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).  

Sometimes these awards will pop up on the secondary markets but not very often.  Most of the time, these awards will have individual names etched/plaqued into the presentation.  Below is a picture of one of the US RIAA Gold awards for Reading, Writing and Arithmetic from Esprit's back catalog (eil).  

Also, in conjunction with meeting certain sales thresholds, 'in-house' LP awards were produced to celebrate/recognize the achievement.  Below is a picture of UK Mayfair Recording Studios' in-house silver award for Static & Silence.   Pictures are also from Esprit (eil).   

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