East, Cold Chisel

1 in stock
$90.00
Artist - Cold Chisel
Format - 12' - Album
Genre - Classic Rock, Australian, and Rock
Year - 1980
Country - Australia
Grading (record) - Near Mint
Grading (sleeve) - Very Good Plus

Please don't hesitate to request more photos of any record via the contact page or send us a DM via Instagram.

Description


Cold Chisel – East

Artist: Cold Chisel

Title: East

Album Type: Third Studio Album

Original Release Date: June 2, 1980

Label: WEA

Genre: Pub Rock / Hard Rock

Background & Production East is the definitive breakthrough that transformed Cold Chisel from a relentless touring band into Australian rock legends. Recorded in March and April 1980 at Paradise Studios in Sydney, the album was produced by Mark Opitz. It represented a deliberate move toward a more commercial sound, breaking songwriter Don Walker's "monopoly" to include contributions from every band member for the first time. The sessions were famously intense, with frontman Jimmy Barnes reportedly using a combination of red wine and speed to push his vocal performances to a raw, effortless peak.

Musical Composition & Style The album plunders a wide "grab-bag" of styles while remaining rooted in the band's gritty pub rock origins.

  • Diverse Influences: The record features flashes of reggae on "Best Kept Lies" (written by drummer Steve Prestwich) and jazz experimentation on the Ian Moss-penned "Never Before".

  • The Anthems: "Cheap Wine" and "Choirgirl" (a song about abortion) became instant staples of the Australian rock canon.

  • Unexpected Hits: Bassist Phil Small’s first-ever song, "My Baby," was written and recorded in just hours and became one of the band's biggest hits.

  • Rockabilly & R&B: Barnes contributed the rockabilly-infused "Rising Sun," a rollicking ode to his future wife, Jane.

  • Topical Themes: Several tracks touched on current events, such as "Ita" (referencing journalist Ita Buttrose), "Star Hotel" (about a famous riot), and "Four Walls" (about a gaol riot).

Legacy & Vinyl Collector Notes East was the biggest-selling Australian album of 1980, going gold in a week and double platinum within three months. It is the only Cold Chisel album to chart in the US, reaching #171 on the Billboard 200 in 1981.

  • Original Pressing: The original 1980 WEA Australian vinyl (600064) features a gatefold sleeve with iconic cover art inspired by Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death of Marat.

  • Limited Edition Extras: Some initial copies were released as a limited edition that included a bonus 7-inch single featuring "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "The Party's Over".

  • Reissues: For the 40th anniversary in 2020, a special 180g deluxe vinyl reissue was released, limited to 1,000 copies and including the rare bonus single.

  • Condition: High-quality original pressings are prized for their "slick but raw" analog production.

  • Keywords: Cold Chisel, East, Jimmy Barnes, Don Walker, 1980 Vinyl, WEA Records, Australian Pub Rock, Cheap Wine, Choirgirl, My Baby.

    • Collection Ideas: Australian Rock Cornerstones, 80s Pub Rock Classics, The Best of Cold Chisel, Breakthrough Albums.

    • Related Artists: Midnight Oil, Australian Crawl, INXS, Jimmy Barnes (Solo), The Angels.
Click for Grading Scale

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve
View details