It's Still Living is a live album by The Birthday Party recorded at the Astor Theatre in St Kilda, Victoria on 15 January 1982, and released in May 1985. The initial LP release in 1985 by the band's former manager and backer Keith Glass, on his Missing Link label, was not sanctioned by the band. The sound quality of the recording is poor and it is marred by technical glitches (mainly the sounds of the amps crackling and shorting out). In 1991 the album was re-released on the Virgin label, with the LP being released on green vinyl.
The photograph of the band was taken by Peter Milne on the Birthday Party's first trip back home after taking up residency in London. This shoot was in the studio of Victoria College in High Street, Prahran. According to the album liner notes film footage of the concert was shot by Paul Goldman and Evan English ( The Rich Kids). The footage, however, has never been released.
Reception Spin wrote, "Manic then droning, infused with secret pyrotechnic calm. Leader Nick Cave shrieks deeply bellowed frenzies from gloom and blues over the band’s patented rusty catcall guitar while apocalyptic Catholic images fly amok."
Track listing
Personnel
Birthday Party Phill Calvert – drums Nick Cave – vocals Mick Harvey – guitar Rowland Howard – guitar Tracy Pew – bass
Credits Engineer – Chris Thompson Mixed – The Birthday Party, Tony Cohen Artwork – James McDonald Photography – Peter Milne
Chart positions Chart (1985) Peakposition UK Independent Albums Chart 19
Release history Region Date Label Format CatalogueAustraliaMay 1985Missing Link LP ING 009 1991 CD LINK 28 Virgin LP, CD VOZ 2048
References
External links [ It's Still Living] @ Allmusic It's Still Living @ Discogs It's Still Living @ MusicBrainz archived from on 30 September 2012 @ Australian Rock Database