PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Release Date: 17 October 2026
Label: Cherry Red
Packaging Type: Clamshell
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 5013929121584
Description
• 3CDs OF EARLY REHEARSAL RECORDINGS AND LIVE SHOWS.
• INTIMATE RECORDINGS CAPTURING THE BAND'S FORMATIVE YEARS, FROM THE ARCHIVE OF HOUSE OF LOVE BASSIST CHRIS GROOTHUIZEN.
• INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VERSIONS OF CLASSICS SUCH AS 'SHINE ON', 'CHRISTINE', 'DESTROY THE HEART', 'MAN TO CHILD', 'BEATLES AND THE STONES', 'REAL ANIMAL' AND MORE.
• WITH INSIGHTFUL SLEEVENOTES FEATURING NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE BAND.
In 1988, The House Of Love's debut album arrived as a fully-formed piece of pop perfection, following two years of intensive writing, rehearsing and live performances. 'The Gift' explores those two years, as the band leapt from the Camberwell squat scene into the centre of the UK's indie world as it went overground.
Taken from the archive of bassist Chris Groothuizen and compiled by him with chief songwriter Guy Chadwick’s full approval, this 3CD set offers unprecedented insight into the development of one of the standout bands of the late 80s British music scene. Featuring previously unheard rehearsal recordings and live shows captured in London and Paris, all of which has been carefully restored and remastered using the latest technology, 'The Gift' is an essential part of The House Of Love's origin story.
Complete with sleevenotes featuring interviews with all four surviving members, a 1986-1988 gigography and previously unseen imagery and flyers from the band's own archive, 'The Gift' provides a level of attention to detail guaranteed to excite the House Of Love's extensive worldwide fanbase, and anybody with a passion for the British indie scene of that time and place.
Tracklisting
DISC ONE
1. Into The Tunnel (Rehearsal At Andy’s, 1986)
2. Welt (Rehearsal At Andy’s, 1986)
3. Shine On (Rehearsal At Andy’s, 1986)
4. Christine (Rehearsal At Andy’s, 1986)
5. Mr Jo (Acoustic Recording Session, 1987)
6. Welt (Acoustic Recording Session, 1987)
7. Touch Me (Acoustic Recording Session, 1987)
8. I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do (Acoustic Recording Session, 1987)
9. Never (Rehearsal #2, 1987)
10. I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do (Rehearsal #2, 1987)
11. Touch Me (Rehearsal #3, 1987)
12. Mr Jo (Rehearsal #3, 1987)
13. Hope (Rehearsal #3, 1987)
14. Flow (Rehearsal #3, 1987)
15. In A Room (Rehearsal #4, 1988)
16. Hope (Rehearsal #4, 1988)
17. Beatles And The Stones (Rehearsal #4, 1988)
18. Flow (Rehearsal #4, 1988)
DISC TWO
Live At The Gift, New Cross Gate, London, 18th July 1986
1. Shine On
2. I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do
3. Love
4. Safe
5. You've Really Gotta Hold On Me
6. Touch Me
7. Christine
8. Real Animal
9. Instrumental
Live At Camden Palace, Camden, London, 20th November 1986
10. Happy
11. Christine
12. Hope
13. Shine On
14. This Strength
15. Real Animal
DISC THREE
Live At University Of London, Bloomsbury, London, 7th October 1988
1. Sulphur (Fade In)
2. Nothing To Me
3. Love In A Car
4. Plastic
5. The Hedonist
6. Shine On
7. Christine
8. Destroy The Heart
9. The Road
10. Man To Child
11. Salome
12. I Wanna Be Your Dog
Live At La Cigale, Paris, 30th October 1988
13. Fisherman's Tale
14. Happy
15. Nothing To Me
16. Love In A Car
17. Plastic
18. The Hedonist
19. Shine On
20. Christine
21. The Road
22. Destroy The Heart
23. Man To Child
24. I Wanna Be Your Dog
All tracks previously unreleased except for Disc 1 tracks 5, 6 and 7 and Disc 3 tracks 1-14, 16, 22 and 24.
Various Artists
Various Artists
The House Of Love
THE FALL
Steve Strange
Satan
Pallas
Pallas
Various Artists
The House Of Love
The House Of Love
The House Of Love
The House Of Love
