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Sep 10, 2018 By Christopher Roberts Bauhaus

Bauhaus’ first ever full recording session was on January 26, 1979, just six weeks after the band formed. In honor of their 40th anniversary, the band are releasing the whole five-song session as The Bela Session on November 23 via Leaving (in conjunction with Stones Throw). It includes three tracks never before released. The session also includes the band’s most iconic song, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” making the song available on vinyl for the first time in 30 years. Below is the tracklist.

Beyond “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” here are the details of the other tracks. “Some Faces” is a full on previously unreleased track. “Bite My Hip” is previously unreleased, but was later reworked, re-recorded, and released as “Lagartija Nick” in 1983. “Boys (Original)” is previously unreleased, but was later re-recorded and released as the B-side of “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” “Harry” was later released as a B-side in 1982.

Bauhaus formed in Northampton, England in 1978 and featured Peter Murphy (vocals, occasional instruments), Daniel Ash (guitar), Kevin Haskins (drums), and David J (bass). They pretty much invented goth music. “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” was originally released in August 1979 on Small Wonder Records. It wasn’t an initial hit, but stayed in the independent charts for years (the band memorably performed the song in the opening scene of the 1983 vampire drama The Hunger, starring David Bowie). Bauhaus signed to 4AD, who released their debut album In The Flat Field in 1980, before the band then moved to parent label Beggars Banquet, for which they released three more albums before splitting up in 1983. Post-Bauhaus, Murphy had a solo career and the other members formed other bands, such as Love and Rockets and Tones on Tail. The band reunited in 1998 and again in 2005, releasing one more album in 2008, Go Away White, but then also breaking up again that year.

Beggars Arkive will also be reissuing records from the band’s catalog on limited edition color vinyl, with details to be announced. (Pre-order The Bela Session here and here.)

The Bela Session Tracklist:

1. “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”
2. “Some Faces”
3. “Bite My Hip”
4. “Harry”
5. “Boys (Original)”

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