Formed in mid-1977 in Dublin, for a time the Virgin Prunes were "the most overtly subversive rock group ever to come out of the genre" (Mark Prendergast, "Irish Rock"). Their reputation was built on their outrageous stage performances and supported by a wayward and individual collection of record releases.
Singers Gavin Friday and Guggi, along with third vocalist Dave-id Busaras, guitarist Dik, bassist Strongman and drummer Pod, released their first single in 1980. Pod soon left to be replaced by Haa Lacka Binttii, who left around a year later, to be replaced in turn by Mary D'Nellon.
In 1984, both Guggi and Dik left the band and the music business. Mary D'Nellon took over guitar duties and Pod returned as the band's drummer. The Virgin Prunes started to record the album Sons Find Devils, which was not released before 1998 as a CD release on undefined label and on vinyl not until 2003 on italian undefined label.
1985 saw the release of a retrospective video (confusingly titled Sons Find Devils, despite having no connection with the still unreleased album) and a compilation album of rarities (Over the Rainbow).
The band toured as a four-piece and finally released a new album, The Moon Looked Down and Laughed, in the summer of 1986. Gavin Friday left the group in November 1986 to pursue a solo career, effectively ending the group. This was formally confirmed by a short comment at the bottom of the sleeve of a live album, The Hidden Lie, released in 1987. D'Nellon, Strongman and Busaras went on to record and perform as The Prunes.
2023
Virgin Prunes, BMG
10", RE, RM, Whi + 10", RE, RM, Blu + RSD, Comp, L
2004
2004
2004
1998
1993
New Rose Records
CD, Comp, RM
1987
1986
1986
1986
1986
1985
1983
1982
1982
1982
1982
1982
1981
Rough Trade
12", Single
1981
Vinyl (11)
Flexi, 7"
1981
1981
1981
1981
2012
2017
Chocolate Monk
CDr, Ltd, Num
2016
Not On Label (Artica (2) Self-released)
16xFile, FLAC, Comp
2014
Universal Music Belgium
5xCD, Comp
2012
Psychotic Release
CDr, EP, Ltd, Num
2012
2011
2011
2009
2007
Cleopatra
2xCD, Comp
2007
Not On Label
CDr
2007
2006
Verbrecher Verlag, Zonic (2), Pommersche Literaturgesellschaft e.V., Zickzack
2xCD, Comp, Boo
2005
Mojo Magazine
CD, Comp
2005
Not On Label
CDr, Comp
2005
2004
D-Side
CD, Smplr
2004
1998
Energeia
CD, Album
1997
1995
1995
1995
1992
1992
1990
Ladd-Frith
Cass
1985
Assorted Nuts
Cass, Album
1984
1983
1981
1981
2024
Cherry Red
5xCD, Comp
2023
Universal Music Belgium
3xLP, Comp, Gat
2023
2017
Cintas Triangulares
Cass, Comp, Mixed, Mixtape, C90
2017
Secret Thirteen Journal
File, MP3, Comp, Mixed, 320
2015
The Brvtalist
File, WAV, Mixed
2013
Secret Thirteen Journal
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2012
Secret Thirteen Journal
File, MP3, Mixed, 256
2011
Studio Brussel, EMI
3xCD, Comp
2010
Universal Music
3xCD, Comp
2010
Sqwelsch
File, MP3, 320 + File, MP3, 256 + 7xFile, MP3, 192
2009
EMI
3xCD, Comp
2008
EMI
5xCD, Comp + Box
2008
Les Inrockuptibles
6xCD, Comp
2008
EMI, EMI, EMI, EMI, EMI, EMI
5xCD, Comp
2008
Cleopatra
2xCD, Comp
2008
EMI Music Ireland, EMI Music Ireland
5xCD, Comp
2008
2007
2007
2006
EMI
CD, Comp
2006
2005
EMI
CD, Comp
2005
EMI Music Ireland
2xCD, Comp
2005
2004
V2
CD, Comp
2004
Virgin EMI Strategic Marketing, Virgin EMI Strategic Marketing
CD, Comp + 2xCD, Comp
2003
2002
Music Mine, Iam Record
CD, Comp
2000
Cleopatra
3xCD, Comp
1999
Not On Label (Idea Fire Company Self-Released)
Cass, Comp, C90
1998
Cleopatra
CD, Comp
1998
Cleopatra
4xCD, Comp
1998
Dr. Freecloud's Mixing Lab
Cass, Mixed, RE, C90
1998
1996
Antler-Subway
Box, Comp + CD, Comp, RE + CD, Comp, RE + CD, Comp
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