Liberation Music Secure The Birthday Party's Full Catalogue

Far from Australia's most famous band but certainly one of its most influential, The Birthday Party have been inspiring arty punks around the world for decades, even though the band split way back in 1983.

The group comprised of Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Rowland S. Howard, Tracy Pew and Phill Calvert and evolved from their previous group The Boys Next Door. Between 1980 and their split, the band managed to churn out plenty of material for the short amount of time they were together and this year Liberation Music intend on undertaking “a carefully curated reissue program” for all that material.

“We're very excited to have the catalogue find a good and enthusiastic home for now and into the future,” Mick Harvey said in a statement today.

Mushroom boss Michael Gudinski expressed his excitement at representing the band's catalogue

“Mushroom has a long and proud history with The Birthday Party dating right back to The Boys Next Door's debut album in 1979,” he said. “With the help of Gerard Schlaghecke I was equally proud to renew our association with the late and great Rowland S Howard in 2008 and now with special thanks to both Mick Harvey and Paul Costello I'm really excited to represent this wonderful catalogue of albums from one of the greatest Australian bands.”

Liberation is also the home to Rowland S. Howard's great solo records and the majority of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' material.