WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND FIFO LP ORIGINAL

	£		967
	$		1,281

THE WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band: Volume One

FIFO M-101 Original US pressing, released early 1966

Few records come with such legendary status as this one... and I am hardly one to disagree, having written about this most enigmatic of groups via articles for Shindig, Ptolemaic Terrascope and the sleeve notes for the Sundazed CDs.

Since anyone already here will know the background I will add little here, save to say that this LP is one of the rarest - and surely the most sought-after - garage psych LPs of its place and time: the blue-print for what the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band would soon become and the pre-cursor for their Reprise recordings and beyond.

Whether or not this was a private pressing is a moot point. The FIFO (or Fifo) LP was the only long-player released on the label created by Bob Markley in '63. Clearly pressed in tiny quantities - only a few in a rudimentary sleeve [not this one, alas] - they were mostly given away to bandmates, friends & fans. Undoubtedly all must have passed through the hands of Markley himself.

In 10 years on ebay I have only seen 2 copies auctioned - and nobody knows if there are any more out there! For those familiar with this LP through the Sundazed CD (which changed the running order and mixed in other tracks) or the muddy-sounding bootleg LP you are in for a completely new experience.

I can also guarantee that this is an original pressing, since aside from having copies of the other Fifo releases I also possess another copy of this LP with the cover (the only reason I am selling this one) and they are identical in every way right down to the matrix numbers.

Condition (please note all my records are fully visually and play graded)

With numerous scuffs and light to medium scratches this record has clearly lived a life - but the proof is in the playing. There is a certain amount of background pop and crackle throughout, but since the platter is thick and the pressing loud this is not invasive: the music is clear, resonant and there are no signs of wear in the grooves. The only exception is a one groove skip during the opening cut 'Something You Got' - perhaps a deeply inbedded foreign body which I have been unable to shift. On balance Good.

Both labels are bright yellow with no signs of spindle wear.

There is no picture sleeve, although the generic plain white thick card sleeve may be the original (the other copy I have simply has a slick pasted on to the front of an identical one).

Shipping

I ship to all parts of the world. Due to Ebay's new domestic shipping policy, standard postage is free (but see below). For overseas bidders postage costs will be determined at the end of the auction (plus insurance if appropriate) and you will be charged only what you see on the package.

All my records are solidly packed and discs are removed from the sleeve before posting. However, for high value records (i.e. over £100) postal insurance is essential. I appreciate that Paypal gives buyer (and seller) protection - but there are many more hoops to jump through for sellers and I would rather we both have peace of mind. The cost will be determined after the auction is over and you will be charged only that sum - there will be no hidden, or p&p costs.

Alternatively, for those living in or near London purchases can be picked up from my work address in EC4A 1JQ (8am - 7 pm) or my home in NW6.

Good luck!

[Finally, for those wondering why this item has been re-listed. I did not appreciate that my auctions on ebay.co.uk were now invisible on ebay.com unless I specifically chose to list on both sites. Those on ebay.com who think that by selecting Advanced Search and choosing 'Worldwide' you are viewing listings on anything other than ebay.com be warned! My apologies to anyone whose patience I have tried.]