The Afghan Whigs - Singles and EPs
There were quite a few Afghan Whigs singles and EPs released between 1989 and 1998 in several different countries. This is an attempt to chronicle those singles.
There were quite a few Afghan Whigs singles and EPs released between 1989 and 1998 in several different countries. This is an attempt to chronicle those singles.
Limited to 1500 copies, all on black vinyl. I Am the Sticks was one of the songs that originally got me into this band. The version of "White Trash Party" on this single is a different version from the one that was released on the Up in It album.
After many years, I came across an interesting copy that contained an early loose Singles Club insert (pics below). This one appears to have been designed specifically for this release.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
Sub Pop SP32 Black | 20-30 | 4 | Stable |
Test Pressing: | Black vinyl, small hole, plain white labels. |
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This page was last updated on October 10, 2019.
The first 2000 copies were on red vinyl. At one point in collecting past, this was the desirable version to have. Over the years, it became clear that the red version was actually very easy to come by. The black version was released at this point as well. Several other colors have shown up since then, which were most likely pressed slightly later. These colors are much tougher finds. The purple marble one will show up fairly often. It's the green, pink marble, and clear pink ones that are really difficult. The green one is a clear green with slight marbling (see picture). The pink marble one is a solid hot pink marble. The clear pink one is the rarest. The collector community is mostly satiated with this one, though, so you can now get it for a much more moderate price than before.
The 12" was an early Sub Pop Europe pressing, released as the "Retarded" EP. It contained the song "Retarded" from the Up in It LP, the two tracks from the U.S. 7", and "Turning in Two," which never appeared elsewhere (but is excellent). The EP also exists on CD, which is actually much harder to find.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
SP84 Red | 6-10 | 1 | Stable |
SP84 Black | 3-5 | 1 | Stable |
SP84 Purple Marble | 15-25 | 6 | Stable |
SP84 Pink Marble | 20-30 | 7 | Down |
SP84 Green Marble | 20-30 | 7 | Down |
SP84 Clear Pink | 30-40 | 8 | Down |
SP4/115 Black | 8-12 | 1 | Stable |
Sleeve | Paper foldover w/ insert attached |
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Test Pressing | Black vinyl, small hole, plain white labels |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2017 | 2 | 47 | Discogs, eBay |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 1 | 30 | eBay |
2018 | 1 | 14 | Discogs |
2017 | 3 | 30 | Discogs, eBay |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2018 | 1 | 20 | Discogs |
2017 | 3 | 28 | Discogs, eBay |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 1 | 24 | Discogs |
2018 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2017 | 2 | 20 | Discogs, eBay |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
Technically, this is not the Whigs, but in reality, Ornament is the Afghan Whigs plus Marcy Mays, who should have been an honorary member anyway, so we'll include it. This was the sought after Whigs single through much of the '90s. I got lucky with it - it ended up in a lot of bargain bins in Tokyo because the name "Afghan Whigs" is never once mentioned on the sleeve. Most copies of the Ornament single are black. However, there are also clear and blue versions out there. Both are quite rare, but the clear one is considerably rarer. My copy has a couple of black bits in the clear vinyl. Since I first heard about the clear version in 2004 or so, I have learned of exactly three of them and have only seen two for public sale (including one by me). It is preposterously hard to find.
Mike F. from Cincinnati, who worked in a record store in the '90s, told me that the Caroline distributor gave him the story on the clear vinyl copies. The distributor said the clear ones were only pressed to fill existing orders, so a very small batch was made. They made more clear copies than they had remaining sleeves, though, so many of the clear ones that are floating around are sleeveless. Crazy.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
KAR011 Black | 6-10 | 3 | Down |
KAR011 Blue | 20-30 | 7 | Stable |
KAR011 Clear | 30-40 | 9 | Stable |
Test Pressing | Black vinyl, large hole, white Rainbo Records labels |
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Credits | G. Sinchak: test pressing image Mike F. from Cincinnati: the Caroline story/set me up with my copy |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2017 | 1 | 25 | Discogs |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 1 | 46 | Discogs |
2018 | 1 | 20 | Discogs |
2017 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
As with most German Sub Pop releases of this time, this one was only on black vinyl. It came out as a 7" and a 12" - the 12" contained an additional track, "Delta Kong." There was also a CDS issued, which contained all of the tracks of the 12" plus another, "Chalk Outline."
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
SP32/187 12" Black | 15-20 | 3 | Stable |
SP32,5/187 7" Black | 5-8 | 1 | Stable |
Test Pressing | 12" - Black vinyl, white labels 7" - Black vinyl, white German labels |
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Credits | G. Sinchak: 12" test pressing image Enrico: 7" test pressing image |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
The sleeve is a glossy full sleeve. There are many colors of this one out there, and some confusion about them. Let's try to sort it all out.
Alright, then. There are two very common colors of this single: red (almost a magenta-red) and white. Simple.
Next: lilac. The lilac version causes a lot of confusion. It is a very subtle grayish-lavender base color, marbled with bits of pink and blue. I've seen it called pink, lilac, lavender, even gray...any of these would be somewhat correct, but at the end of the day, it's the same color vinyl. We will call it lilac. Fabulous. That's settled. Almost. There is a version of this color out there with little to no pink marbling in it, which has the effect of basically making gray. Now, I guess this means we know a gray copy exists. The big question is whether this version is the only one or whether a real dark gray marble one also exists. I've seen a couple advertised as gray, but they have turned out to be lilac. Gray will have to remain in the rumors section for now.
NOW...there are some other rarer colors. There is a blue-green marble that is a bit rarer. Then, there's the clear copy, which is rare, but does show up with some regularity. There was once rumored to be a black vinyl version, but I am nearly certain that this does not exist. Most of the Sub Pop releases of this era that were on many colors of vinyl were all on color vinyl, with none on black. Then, there's the pink marble version...that one is a tougher find. I have now seen a few of them show up for sale, and it appears that the most dedicated Whigs collectors seem to have tracked it down, so the auction price has come down to a more reasonable level.
I also randomly happened upon a very interesting variant of the Conjure Me single - it looks like the "iceberg" variation of the Nirvana Bleach LP. It must be a white/green mix, but has a mint green marble effect. I have included pictures below, including one of this variant next to a white copy. The scans don't really do it justice. It's a nice distinct greenish color.
In 2017, a copy was auctioned that looked like a powder blue version. I missed it at the time, and the picture in the auction wasn't great, so it was hard to confirm. Fortunately, I'm in touch with the person who bought it, and it turned out to be another iceberg copy (thanks, Andy!). So this means at least three iceberg copies have surfaced.
Finally, there is a very uncommon promo cd for this single. The catalogue number is Sub Pop SUBPROCD#3. I am including it because some have spent considerable time tracking it down. Not an easy find.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
SP142 Red/Magenta | 8-12 | 1 | Stable |
SP142 White | 8-12 | 1 | Stable |
SP142 Lilac/Lavender/Pink/Gray | 5-8 | 1 | Stable |
SP142 Blue-green Marble | 8-12 | 3 | Stable |
SP142 Clear | 12-18 | 5 | Stable |
SP142 Pink Marble | 10-25 | 6 | Down |
SP42/203 Black | 10-15 | 1 | Stable |
Promo CD SUBPROCD#3 | 30-40 | 6 | Up |
Sleeve | Full glossy |
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Test Pressing | Red vinyl, small hole, plain white labels |
Rumors | Gray vinyl: Fairly sure this doesn't exist beyond the lilac variants. Black vinyl: Almost 100% sure this does not exist. |
Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2018 | 1 | 10 | Discogs |
2017 | 3 | 20 | Discogs, eBay |
This page was last updated on December 7, 2019.
Uptown Avondale was a collection of the Whigs covering old soul songs, which has proven to be a common theme throughout their career. There were several different versions of this EP. First, the 7", all copies of which were on red vinyl. It contained two tracks, "Band of Gold" and "Come See About Me." The 12" was on black vinyl, and contained four tracks: the two from the 7" plus "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" and "Beware." In addition, there was a CD version released in both the U.S. and Germany, which contained all four tracks from the 12", along with "Rebirth of the Cool," which is a remix of "Milez iz Ded."
The Uptown Avondale 12" was among the great Sub Pop Afghan Whigs re-pressings of 2017. As with Up In It and Congregation, there were different color vinyl pressings in the U.S. and Europe, and both were gorgeous. The U.S. "Loser Edition" version was on a clear vinyl with silver splatter spots. There was also a black vinyl version. The European pressing is a solid silver color that looks like molten metal - very cool.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
SP54/216 7" Red | 5-8 | 1 | Stable |
SP53/215 12" Black | 8-12 | 1 | Stable |
SP175 12" Clear with Silver Splatter (U.S.) | 12-15 | 1 | Stable |
SP175 12" Black (U.S.) | 8-12 | 1 | Down |
SP175 12" Metallic Silver (Europe) | 15-18 | 1 | Stable |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
Rumored to be a 7" on Elektra Germany with catalogue number 7559-64545-1, characterized by alternate artwork. I 99% certain it does not actually exist in vinyl form. If it did exist, I can't imagine it would be on anything other than black vinyl. The cd version definitely does exist as Elektra Germany 7559-64545-2. I have one of those, and am including it in the summary since collectors have some interest in it.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
7559-64545-2 CD | 2-5 | 1 | Stable |
Rumors | Vinyl version on Elektra with the artwork above - unlikely to exist. |
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This page was last updated on January 4, 2018.
UK releases. The 12" had one additional track, "The Dark End of the Street," and came with a limited edition poster. It appears there was a version without the poster as well. Normally, I would assume that the posters were just lost, but there do seem to be copies that do not have the poster hype sticker. All copies were on black vinyl.
In addition, there were several CD versions. The U.S. and European versions came with alternate artwork (see above). There were rumors that a 7" also existed with this artwork, but it appears that those were just rumors. All CD versions are easy to find and inexpensive.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
BFFP89 7" Black | 4-6 | 1 | Stable |
BFFP89T 12" Black w/ Poster | 10-15 | 2 | Stable |
BFFP89T 12" Black - No Poster | 6-10 | 2 | Stable |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
7": gatefold sleeve; all copies were on black vinyl. The 12" is strange. There was a promo version (PBFFP95T), which came in a die-cut white sleeve. However, this version is usually easier to find than the picture sleeve version. I don't claim to understand it. Both versions of the 12" contain an additional track, "Little Girl Blue." There is also a version of picture sleeve 12" that came with a poster. That one seemse to sell for a bit more than the others. Finally, there was a two-part CD single. The discs were sold separately, but disc 1 came with a double CD case that has a space for disc 2. The disc 1 track listing matched the 12", while disc 2 had three additional tracks from a Goodier session, including a cover of Scrawl's Rot. This was the only place to find that song other than the European version of the Gentlemen LP with the bonus 12".
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
BFFP95 7" Black | 4-6 | 1 | Stable |
BFFP95T 12" Black | 5-8 | 1 | Down |
BFFP95T 12" Black w/ Poster | 10-15 | 3 | Stable |
PBFFP95T 12" Promo Black | 8-12 | 1 | Down |
Test Pressing | 12": Black vinyl, white Mayking labels |
---|---|
Credits | G. Sinchak: test pressing image |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
These are all very different. Well...there is some overlap, but not that much. All of the above were on black vinyl. Here's how it breaks out. The 7" was just the two songs listed above. As for the others...
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
BFFP96 7" Black | 6-10 | 1 | Stable |
BFFP96T 10" Black | 5-8 | 1 | Stable |
ED5693 12" Black | 10-15 | 1 | Stable |
Test Pressing | 7": Black vinyl, plain white labels |
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This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
This one is very odd to me. The copy shown is the first that I had seen in a long time. I could swear I remember seeing it more than once when it was released, but I ignored it at the time because it was a major label release. I assumed it would be easy to find in the future. Oops. It can be VERY tough to find. I didn't see another for 10 years. Since 2008, it has surfaced with some regularity.
The sleeve is numbered on the back. There were 1965 copies (ha-ha) of the cd made...based on its scarcity, I would have been shocked if there were that many of the 7"s as well. However, I have seen copies numbered into the 1800s, so maybe there are that many. I have a feeling that a good chunk of them just never made it onto the market. Once they started reappearing, most of them showed up in France. If you are searching for one, the good news is most of the rabid collectors (myself included) have now gotten ahold of copies, so there are not as many people driving up the price. It has really come down in recent years.
I have seen a good number of these records in the last decade, with a wide range of numbers. The higher-numbered copies have been on lighter (both weight and color) orange semi-transparent-and-somewhat-marbled vinyl. The lower numbered copies are on darker, more solid orange vinyl. The sleeves are different as well; the solid orange ones come in sleeves with darker, better defined colors. The variations are distinct, but not enough to be considered different colors, unless you are a real insatiable collector. Don't look at me that way.
I have neglected the CD versions here...there are several, and most are uninteresting. Most are one-track discs, or just contain the remix and callout hooks. The COL666331 2 CD is a bit more interesting, as it had the remix, along with covers of Miss World by Hole and James Booker's Papa Was a Rascal. The CDs are all pretty easy to find.
Version | Value ($) | Scarcity | Price Trending |
---|---|---|---|
COL666331-7 Orange | 25-35 | 7 | Stable |
Credits | Romain found these for me and first noticed the two types of orange vinyl |
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Year Sold | Quantity | Median Price ($) | Platform |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2018 | 2 | 24 | Discogs |
2017 | 4 | 27 | Discogs, eBay |
This page was last updated on October 8, 2019.
Scarcity Score | Definition |
---|---|
10 | Near impossible: Fewer than 50 copies or publicly sold every few years |
8-9 | Very rare: 50-199 copies or publicly sold 1-2 times per year |
6-7 | Rare: 200-499 copies or publicly sold a few times a year |
4-5 | Medium: 500-999 copies or publicly sold ~10 times a year |
1-3 | Common: 1000+ copies, readily available, or publicly sold 20+ times a year |
Estimated values are based on recent auction results or online sales. Commercial use of images on this site is not permitted. Non-commercial use of images permitted, with attribution to Pette Discographies. All images copyright their respective owners.