Press Kits & Press Releases

US/Geffen Press Kits

For Reading, the premier version is likely the one bagged up in a rectangular, thicker zip lock with the Reading LP cover sleeve embossed onto it. Very fragile; it likes to flake off. It should contain press release, photo, NME & Melody Maker and other photocopied articles, and the fully-cased US promo CD of 'Here's Where The Story Ends'. May have also included the UK Rough Trade CD and/or cassette. The ziplock bag seems rare in any format.

The regular version (non-ziplock) will include the press release, photo, and maybe some of the photocopied articles - sometimes housed in a Geffen logo company folder. Some may also include a photocopied/typed info sheet for their 1990 North American Tour.

There are at least two different versions of the press release - one in larger font, spread over one less page, without the company contact info on the bottom. The other in smaller font, with company contact info. Both versions were on photocopy grade paper. Also at least two versions of the NME/Melody Maker article copies - both black and white, but one was an 8x10 of stapled/photocopied sheets while the other was a folded/stapled ledger sized version on glossy paper.

Reading Geffen Press Kit

For Blind, some press kits came with a typed intro letter, some not. All came with a photo and were printed on high quality letterhead paper. Some also issued in a Geffen company folder.

Blind Geffen Press Kit

Static Geffen Press Kit

For Static, the press kit included the press release, photo and various combinations of inserts/photocopied articles (at least 5-6 different articles exist, each on a separate page). Some also came with a typed intro letter, tour date page, and/or a bio brief. The press release and intro letter both were printed on high quality letterhead paper while the rest are photocopy grade. Some were issued within a Geffen company folder.

Scan credit: Chad Henson

Non-US Press Releases

Non-US labels/publicists/etc. would often send press releases with copies of the corresponding records - in many cases the regular issue records but sometimes with promo contact stickers or stamped sleeves.

These are just some examples, likely other variations.

Some copies of the UK Can't Be Sure 7" included a folded Appearing press sheet, with gold contact sticker on sleeve.

Some copies of the UK Can't Be Sure 12" included a Rough Trade press sheet.

Some copies of the Can't Be Sure 7" X-version included a Rough Trade Germany press sheet. Same sheet (A4 size) also included with some x-version 12"s as well.

Source: Kohji Matsubayashi. Some UK Reading Test Pressing LPs came with a Rough Trade press sheet (collection of press quotes, same text as the folded Can't Be Sure 7" above but with a Rough Trade logo background). Also included photocopied press clippings.

Some UK Reading LPs were used as promos and came with a Rough Trade press sheet with tour dates. Also gold contact sticker on front sleeve.

Some copies of UK Reading LP were used as promos with an Appearing press release with tour dates and contact sticker on front sleeve.

Some copies of the UK Reading LP were also used by Hall or Nothing, including their own press release.

Light blue-tinted on thick paper. Australia/Festival promo sheet. Same as the Aussie promo cassette sleeve but closer to A4 size. Some also came with a stapled packet of copied articles.

Australia Festival Promo Sheet - Rear.

Some copies of the Australian picture disc LP came with a Rough Trade News Release. Credit: discogs

Some Brazilian promo LPs for Reading came with a Stilleto press sheet.

Some German LPs (and test pressings) for Reading came with a Rough Trade Germany press sheet.

Some Spanish LPs for Reading came with a Nuevos Medios S.A. press sheet. Some also came with a separate packet of typed lyrics (in Spanish). In some cases, Nuevos Medios used UK Rough Trade LPs instead of the Spanish LP.