DESPERATE BICYCLES Smokescreen - Original UK 7" Single - Private DIY Punk KBD

	£		44
	$		58

New Page 1  

** RECORD COLLECTOR **

THE DESPERATE BICYCLES

Smokescreen

Original UK 7" Single released on Refill Records in 1977.

Picture sleeve (opens at side / rear side is blank with 'flipbacks').

Both sides cut with the same tracks - B-Side label is blank.

***CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PUNK / NEW WAVE AUCTIONS THIS WEEK!!!***

Formed in Dalston East London during March 1977, the Desperate Bicycles were one of the first bands to seriously aspire to the DIY recording ethic that punk had sent into overdrive. They took one stage further Mark Perry's 3 chord call to action and showed groups could have total artistic control.

The band formed the Refill label in May 1977 and released their first single Smokescreen/Handlebars (unusual EP featuring same tracks on both sides and in mono). They repeated this six months later with The Medium Was The Tedium/Don't Back The Front (Refill July 77). New Cross New Cross a six track EP was released in May 78. One more - Occupied Territory/Skill (Refill July 1978). While never troubling the charts each release self financed the next and by 1980 they had managed 6 singles.

And the music? Definitely an indie sound but suffused with the spirit of the punkier times. 

"Now to describe the record, well the Bicycles were not really a punk band of The Sex Pistols, Clash variety, their sound was more like the Television Personalities blended with "Live at the Witch Trials" era Fall. "Smokescreen" begins with Wigley counting off 1234 then the group launch into one of the most bizarre songs I've ever heard...Handlebars" is a short experimental piece that also recalls very early Floyd at the song's finish the band chant their DIY motto "It was easy, It was cheap, GO AND DO IT!!!" a sentiment which still rings true today." Dave Furgess 2.3.01 Head Heritage

Tracks Are :-

Side One

Smokescreen
Handlebars

Side Two

Smokescreen
Handlebars

Released on 'Refill Records' in 1977

Catalogue No. RR1

Disc is in VG+ condition (some light surface marks)

Sleeve is in VG+ condition (light wear / sticker mark - but in nice shape for a thin paper sleeve of this age)

Please contact me via Ebay Messages with any questions I will try my best to get back to you as quickly as possible.

PAYMENT BY PAYPAL ONLY FROM NON-UK BIDDERS

IF BUYING MORE THAN ONE ITEM PLEASE WAIT FOR COMBINED INVOICE!!!

---------------------------------------------------------

UK 1ST CLASS POSTAGE RATES FOR LPs & 12" SINGLES:

1 LP £3.90
2 LP £3.90
3 LP £6.50
4 LP £6.50
5 LP £6.50
6 LP £6.50

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE RATES TO EUROPE FOR LPs & 12" SINGLES:

1 LP £6.10
2 LP £7.50
3 LP £9.00
4 LP £10.50
5 LP £12.00
6 LP £13.50

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE RATES TO DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE EUROPE (USA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN ETC ETC) FOR LPs & 12" SINGLES:

1 LP £8.50
2 LP £11.00
3 LP £13.50
4 LP £16.00
5 LP £18.50
6 LP £21.00

-------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAGE RATES FOR 7” SINGLES & CDs:

UK: £1.80 – then £0.50 each extra.
EUROPE: £4.50 – then £0.50 each extra.
DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE EUROPE: £5.50 – then £1.00 each extra
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND: £6.50 then £1.00 each extra

*********DOUBLES COUNT AS TWO*********

---------------------------------------------------

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMBINED SHIPPING ON ALL 12" VINYL / LPS / 12" EPS / 12" SINGLES - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY!!!!

We offer combined shipping on all LPs / 12" Vinyls: our shipping rates are listed above. HOWEVER shipping packages that weigh more than 2kg is VERY expensive. Therefore we can only offer combined shipping up to a maximum of SIX (6) LPs / 12" vinyls. Any extra purchases will be invoiced, packaged and shipped separately.

***Due to the physical logistics of how I can package orders, I will not combine box sets with other items, I will only package them individually***

---------------------------------------------------

COMBINED POSTAGE FOR DIFFERENT FORMATS will be invoiced at my discretion:

While I am happy to combine (for example) one or two 7” singles into one package with 12” records, sometimes it simply isn’t practical (like if you want me to combine one 12” record with three or more 7” records). I simply do not think that these combinations can be packaged together safely and securely. Therefore these will be invoiced separately as two packages.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE, please contact me before bidding!

---------------------------------------------------

Sorry but I am no longer willing to carry combined transactions beyond two weeks of auctions (see below).

---------------------------------------------------

PAYMENT

I would appreciate payment within seven days of the auction’s end. If you want to bid on more of my auctions ending a week later please inform me. I will wait and issue a combined invoice at the close of the second week’s auctions.

However, I am no longer willing to carry combined transactions beyond two weeks and in these cases would appreciate payment promptly after the close of the second week’s auctions.

I am sorry to have to introduce these measures – I always try to be patient and allow buyers to bid on extra auctions and / or delay payment. Unfortunately some buyers have been stretching out transactions to unacceptable lengths so I feel I have no option but to limit ‘carried over’ transactions to two weeks.