“Swag Sack” by BOB is a lost classic from the original Britpop generation. Originally released in 1989, collecting together the band’s first three releases with a couple of extra tracks, this spanking new 2025 version features bonus tracks, updated mastering of all tracks for vinyl throughout, a freshly reappraised sleeve based on the original and new sleeve notes by BOB biographer John Hartley.
Limited to 300 copies worldwide
SLEEVE NOTES
Think just a week back. It’s hard to be completely definite about exactly what happened when. Now try thinking over three decades back. Picture the scene: a public phone box, Leytonstone, 1988.
“Afternoon; Ally here from Sombrero …Sombrero; you know, home of BOB, the Siddeleys and Reserve? … Yes, that’s the one. Anyway, I’d like to put another record out by the BOBs, and there’s one by Reserve waiting to take the world by storm too and … Oh, ok … yes I can hang on a minute … no, you can’t call me back. Well, you can, but I’m in a call box so someone else might be using the phone … Yes, that’s the one; just round the corner from the flat … Right … Mm-hmm … Okay … Yes … I see … Mmm … So, let me get this right: Although all the BOB records have sold out, and the Siddelelys and Reserve ones have done ok too, Sombrero still owe you money? … Right, and the only way you will let us put out another record is if you get your money, and the only way to get your money is by putting out a compilation album of BOB singles … Okay, not the only way but the best way; I’m not going to be robbing banks, dearie. I’ll get back to you.”
“Afternoon; Ally here from Sombrero, home of BOB, the Siddeleys and Reserve and the best record label this side of Leytonstone. I spoke to someone – you, maybe? – about putting out a BOB compilation album … Yes, that’s right … Anyway, they don’t really want to do it, and I don’t really want to do it, but there’s not much choice is there? … No, quite … But we’ll do it on one condition; the album can [loud banging on call box window] Europe but definitely [angry shouting from outside the call box] UK. Hang on. I’ll call you back.”
“Afternoon, Ally again. From Sombrero, home of BOB and – oh, you know the rest. So anyway, this is what we reckon: the two singles can go on … ‘What A Performance’ and ‘Kirsty’ … no, probably best to just have one of the ‘What A Performance’ versions; the shorter one … So that’s eight songs, then the BOBs – no, they’re called BOB – singular – it’s just I like to call them the BOBs – will add on two of the songs from their first record … the flexi, that’s right … no, that was on their own label. House of Teeth – more classics than you can shake a stick at, dearie! … No, not all three; they want to leave one of them off for the exclusivity of the people that bought it in the first place … That makes ten, anyway. Then we’ll throw in a taster from the next single, and another exclusive track that only people who buy the album will have … Yes, I know … Righto … And remember [siren wails past] and definitely not for sale in [pips go, money runs out].
You may or may not have bought ‘Swag Sack’ in 1988. If you did, you may or may not have lived in the UK. If you did live in the UK, you may or may not have been the intended market. We will never know for sure. Luckily for us though, some of us in the UK did get copies and ‘Swag Sack’ became a bit of a cult thing. So really, it is because of that late 1980s’ indie distribution shenaniganery that you now hold ‘Swag Sack’ in your hands, in all its freshly mixed and mastered glory, now complete with previously-errant ‘Brian Wilson’s Bed’ and contemporary studio outtake ‘Bocker Spammy’. Lucky for us then that we live in times like these.
