The Fall’s Debut Album “Live At The Witch Trials” Gets 45th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue

The Fall’s debut studio album, Live At The Witch Trials, is getting reissued on black vinyl via Cherry Red Records to celebrate its 45th Anniversary year. This black vinyl version is being pressed on 180 gram vinyl with an inner bag and features the US artwork and track listing. Founded by its only constant member, the late Mark E. Smith, The Fall formed in Manchester, UK in 1976 and were one of the most prominent post-punk groups in the world. Musically, there may have been several stylistic changes over the years, but it was often characterised by an abrasive guitar-driven sound and frequent use of repetition, always underpinned by Smith’s distinctive vocals and often cryptic lyrics.

The Live At The Witch Trials line up features the one and only Mark E. Smith alongside Martin Bramah (Blue Orchids / Thirst / Factory Star), Marc Riley (The Creepers / Shirehorses), Karl Burns (The Teardrops / Thirst) and Yvonne Pawlett (Shy Tots). The Fall‘s famously revolving line up meant all of the members who appeared on the album were either sacked or left the band within a few short years, However, both Bramah and Burns returned in later incarnations of the band before leaving The Fall once more. The late John Peel‘s classic quote “they are always different, they are always the same” will always remain the perfect description of the band 

Live At The Witch Trials was released on the 16th March 1979, these editions celebrate the anniversary of this seminal album. Originally released through the Step-Forward Imprint, it was recorded in a single day and mixed by producer Bob Sargeant. Mark E. Smith’s lyrics include his unique commentary on the music business (Music Scene), poorly paid jobs (Industrial Estate) and drugs (No Xmas For John Quays, Like To Blow, Frightened and Underground Medecin). The much missed Sounds music weekly gave it five stars at the time of release, writing: “an album of staggeringly rich, mature music, inner questioning hand in hand with rock and roll at its fiercest, its finest, its most honest, rock and roll at its naked, most stimulating”