Van Halen | Fair Warning | 1981

**Van Halen – Fair Warning (1981 UK Vinyl LP)**

Original 1981 UK pressing of Van Halen's fourth studio album, *Fair Warning*, released on Warner Bros. Records, catalogue number K 56899. Featuring STRAWBERRY mastering inscriptions on both sides, this copy closely matches the documented UK pressing Variant 1, with an additional etched M on Side A.

The record is graded Very Good Plus (VG+), with a Very Good Plus (VG+) outer sleeve, Near Mint (NM) original printed inner sleeve and original black-and-white poster graded VG+.

**Fair Warning – A Hard Rock Classic**

Released in April 1981, *Fair Warning* is widely regarded as one of Van Halen's most powerful and uncompromising albums, showcasing a darker, heavier and more aggressive sound than the band's earlier releases.

Featuring the legendary original line-up of David Lee Roth on vocals, Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Michael Anthony on bass and Alex Van Halen on drums, the album captures the band at a particularly creative stage in their career.

Produced by Ted Templeman and engineered by Donn Landee, *Fair Warning* combines Eddie Van Halen's extraordinary guitar work with the band's trademark energy, inventive arrangements and unmistakable hard-rock sound.

The album opens with *Mean Street*, featuring one of Eddie Van Halen's most celebrated guitar introductions, before moving into the brooding *Dirty Movies*, the ferocious *Sinner's Swing!* and the hard-hitting *Hear About It Later*.

Side Two includes the fan favourite *Unchained*, the atmospheric *Push Comes to Shove*, the instrumental *Sunday Afternoon in the Park* and the explosive closing track *One Foot Out the Door*.

Although less commercially successful than some of Van Halen's other early albums, *Fair Warning* has developed a devoted following among fans and collectors, particularly those who favour the band's heavier material.

**Pressing Details**

- Artist: Van Halen
- Album: Fair Warning
- Release year: 1981
- Country: United Kingdom
- Label: Warner Bros. Records
- Catalogue number: K 56899
- Format: 12-inch vinyl LP, 33⅓ RPM, stereo
- Label design: Cream Warner Bros. shield label
- Manufacture: Made in UK
- Mastering inscription: STRAWBERRY on both sides
- Pressing identification: Closely matches documented UK Variant 1, with an additional etched M on Side A

**Matrix / Runout Information**

Side One:

STRAWBERRY W-1 K56899-A2 M

Side Two:

STRAWBERRY W-2 K56899-B1

The STRAWBERRY inscriptions identify mastering associated with Strawberry Mastering, while the W-1 and W-2 markings and catalogue number correspond closely with the documented first UK pressing variant.

The additional etched M on Side One distinguishes this particular copy from the published Variant 1 runout transcription.

**Track Listing**

Side One

1. Mean Street
2. Dirty Movies
3. Sinner's Swing!
4. Hear About It Later

Side Two

1. Unchained
2. Push Comes to Shove
3. So This Is Love?
4. Sunday Afternoon in the Park
5. One Foot Out the Door

**Condition**

**Vinyl: Very Good Plus (VG+)**

The vinyl is in Very Good Plus condition, displaying light signs of previous handling and playing consistent with its grade.

Both playing surfaces have been visually inspected and graded using the Goldmine grading system.

The record has not been play-tested, and no guarantees are made regarding playback quality.

**Outer Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)**

The original outer sleeve is in Very Good Plus condition, showing some signs of age, storage and previous handling while remaining an attractive example of this 1981 UK release.

**Original Printed Inner Sleeve: Near Mint (NM)**

The original printed inner sleeve is present and in exceptionally well-preserved Near Mint condition, showing minimal evidence of handling or wear.

**Original Black-and-White Poster: Very Good Plus (VG+)**

The original black-and-white poster is included and is in very good overall condition.

It appears to have seen very little handling and has remained carefully stored with the record.

There is a very small tear along one of the poster's folds, which has been taken into account in its VG+ grading.

The poster is an appealing addition, particularly as many surviving second-hand copies are missing their original accompanying material.

**Please note:** The A4 certificate originally associated with this edition is not present. The album is therefore not being advertised as a fully complete copy.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they show the actual record, sleeve, printed inner and poster offered for sale.

**About This Album**

*Fair Warning* occupies a distinctive place in Van Halen's early catalogue.

Where the band's previous albums balanced hard-rock intensity with a more playful, party-oriented atmosphere, *Fair Warning* explored a tougher and more uncompromising musical direction.

Eddie Van Halen's innovative guitar techniques are particularly prominent throughout the album, from the intricate opening of *Mean Street* to the unforgettable riffs of *Unchained*.

David Lee Roth delivers some of his most characterful vocal performances, supported by the powerful rhythm section of Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen.

For collectors of original-line-up Van Halen, classic American hard rock and Eddie Van Halen's groundbreaking guitar work, *Fair Warning* remains an essential addition to a vinyl collection.

This 1981 UK pressing is especially appealing thanks to its STRAWBERRY mastering inscriptions, original printed inner sleeve and surviving black-and-white poster.

**Important Information**

All records sold by Comfortably Spun are visually graded using the Goldmine grading system and have not been play-tested. Condition grades reflect the visible condition of the vinyl and packaging rather than a guarantee of playback performance.

All photographs show the actual item offered for sale, not stock images.

Each record is carefully cleaned before dispatch and securely packaged to protect it during transit.

Orders are dispatched within two working days, with UK deliveries sent using Royal Mail Tracked 48.

**Comfortably Spun Records – Where Rock Lives on Vinyl.**