Absolute Reality, is a song whose initial idea came from a line within the poem “Howl” by American Beat Poet Alan Ginsberg – “who were burned alive in their innocent flannel suits on Madison Avenue amid blasts of leaden verse & the tanked-up clatter of the iron regiments of fashion & the nitroglycerine shrieks of the fairies of advertising & the mustard gas of sinister intelligent editors, or were run down by the drunken taxicabs of Absolute Reality”
Throughout the autumn of 1984, we were trying to write a follow up to Declaration. Eddie & I wrote a new song we were convinced was the track to put The Alarm back on course, Absolute Reality. We went into the studio with Alan Shacklock and cut the song with a view to putting it out as a single. This time we stayed away from technology and cut the song in the tried and tested formula which had proved so successful with Declaration. When we had finished the song, Miles Copeland and the label were unsure about its chances at radio and it was decided that we should wait, find a new producer and concentrate on writing the main body of a new album before deciding on the next single. Mike Peters, Alarm 2000 Collection Liner Notes
Absolute Reality was first released in the UK on a 7″ & 12″ single on 18th February 1985
It initially entered the UK single charts at 48 on 2nd March 1985
UK Official Singles Chart positions for Absolute Reality single release
2nd March 1985 – Enters at number 48
9th March 1985 – Climbs to number 43
16th March 1985 – Climbs to number 40
23rd March 1985 – Climbs to number 35
30th March 1985 – Drops to number 48
6th April 1985 – Drops to number 70
Leaves the Top 100 official UK singles
Absolute Reality was re-recorded for Strength but initially only appeared on the USA release where the single had not appeared in 1985, this version was added to the UK CD release
1985 Single studio recording details
Running length 3:25
Written by Macdonald / Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Ian “The Rockin’ Rev” Kewley – Hammond Organ
Recorded at Good Earth Studios, London W1D, England 22nd October 1984 and mixed 28th October 1984
Produced & mixed by Alan Shacklock
Engineered by Rafe Mckenna
Alternative studio recording releases – Alternative studio, Impromptu Acoustic version, Demos, Acoustic, Remastered, Re-imagined
November 1984 – E-Zee Studio demo recording details
Released as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Running length 3:28
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Recorded 29th & 30th November 1984 at E-Zee Hire Studios, London W14, England
Recorded by live sound engineer Nigel Luby
27th June 1985 – Demo recording live in the studio version
Released as The Alarm – Alt-Strength
Running length 3:33
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Recorded 27th June 1985 at Marcus Studios, London W2, England
June to August 1985 – The Alarm – Strength Album version
Running length 3:27
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Rupert Black – Keyboards
Recorded at Marcus Studios, London W2, England between 6th June and 4th August 1985
Mixed at Battery Studio 4, Willesden, London NW10, England between 5th and 23rd August 1985
Produced by Mike Howlett
Engineered by Nigel Luby
July 1985 – The Alarm – Impromptu Acoustic version
Running length 3:18
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Recorded and mixed at Marcus Studios, London W2, England between July1985
Produced by Mike Howlett
Engineered by Nigel Luby
1997 – Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986
Running length 3:28
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Recorded in 1997 by Gethyn Evans at Mountain & Sea Studio, Dyserth, Wales
Produced by Michael Peters
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length 3:26
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Ian “The Rockin’ Rev” Kewley – Hammond Organ
Remastered from the 1985 single recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Strength [1985-1986] [Remastered]
Running length 3:32
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Rupert Black – Keyboards
Remastered from the 1985 album recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2015 – The Alarm – Strength [Re-imagined]
Running length 4:38
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic, Baritone & Electric Guitar
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Johnny Pisano – Bass
Mark Taylor – Piano, Hammond Organ
Jules Jones Peters – Backing vocals, Percussion
Acquire Choir under musical director Dawny Ward, conductor Leslie Church Ward – Backing vocals
Mixed and mastered by Mark Warden
Engineered by Mark Warden at Bethel Chapel Studios, , Patrick Philips at Real World Studios.
Recorded at Real World Studios, England, Bethel Chapel Studios, Dyserth, Wales
Additional recording at Sonic Hills, Sunshine Corner Studios England and Community First, Wales
Produced by Mike Peters, Mark Warden and Smiley
Executive Production by Jimmy Iovine
2018 – The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985] [Remastered]
Running length 3:19
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Dave Sharp – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Ian “The Rockin’ Rev” Kewley – Hammond Organ
Remastered from the 1984 original single recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
Album appearances and discography for studio versions
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(All Images right click to open larger in new window)
21st October 1985 : The Alarm – Strength
IRS Records, catalogue numbers Vinyl IRS-5666, Cassette IRSC-5666 CD IRSD-5666 (USA Release)
Also appears in the UK only on the CD release IRS DMIRL1004
Original 1985 album recording
1988 : The Alarm – Curtain Call
IRS Records, catalogue number POPPY 1 (USA Promo release)
Original 1985 album recording
1989 : The Alarm – The Alarm
IRS Records, catalogue number CDS-34 (CD) Japanese promotional compilation album
Original 1985 strength album version
13th November 1990 : The Alarm – Standards
IRS Records, Vinyl EIRSA1043, cassette EIRSC1043, CD EIRSCD1043 (UK Release)
Original 1985 single version recording
Standards was also released on vinyl, cassette and CD in Europe, Vinyl and cassette Italy
28th October 1997 : Mike Peters – Acoustic Works 1981-1986
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C004 (CD)
1997 Mountain & Sea, Wales Recording
13th April 1998 : The Alarm And Mike Peters – The Best Of The Alarm and Mike Peters
Released in the UK & Europe on EMI, catalogue number 7243 4 93751 2 3 (CD)
1985 recorded single version 
2000 : The Alarm – Declaration [1984-1985]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C011 (CD)
Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc.
1985 recorded single version remastered
2000 : The Alarm – Strength [1985-1986]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C012 (CD)
Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc
1985 recorded album version remastered
2000 : The Alarm – Rare Tracks [B-sides & Demos]
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C017 (CD)
Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set
1985 Impromptu acoustic version
2000 : The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 collection sampler
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C018 (CD)
1985 recorded single version remastered – edit
12th November 2001 : The Alarm – Alt-Strength Disc 1
Twenty First Century Recording Company, no catalogue number (CD)
1984 E-Zee Hire Studios Electric demo version
12th November 2001 – The Alarm – Alt-Strength Disc 2
Twenty First Century Recording Company, no catalogue number (CD)
1985 backing track rough mix, Marcus Studios version 27 June 1985
2002 : Mike Peters – Acoustic Alarm Standards
Conspiracy Music CM0014 (CD) (USA Release)
1997 Mountain & Sea, Wales Recording 
2002 : The Alarm – Close
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CS002 (CD)
1985 recorded single version remastered – edit 
2006 : The Alarm – The Best Of The Alarm.
Released in Europe, USA & Canada on Capitol Records, catalogue number 09463-57607-2-9 (CD).
1985 recorded single version 
2007 : The Alarm – The Collection
Released in Europe on EMI GOLD, catalogue number 50999 5 08656 2 8 (CD)
1985 recording
2012 : The Alarm – Two classic albums : Strength / Eye of the Hurricane
EMI GOLD, no catalogue number (CD)
1985 recorded album version
2015 : The Alarm – Strength
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C070 (CD)
Re-imagined new recording version
2015 : The Alarm – Strength
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C074 (Double Vinyl)
Re-imagined new recording version – new mix
2015 : Mike Peters – In Session 2015
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C076 (CD)
1984 single release radio edit
2018 : The Alarm – Declaration
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers 21C094 (Double vinyl LP) and 21C096CD (Double CD – Disc 2)
1984 Single version
15th March 2019 : The Alarm – Strength (1985-1986)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers 21C105LP (Double vinyl LP) and 21C105CD (Double CD – Disc 2)
1984 demo version remastered
15th March 2019 : The Alarm – Strength (1985-1986)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C105CD (Double CD – Disc 1)
1985 album recording remastered
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C105CD (Double CD – Disc 1
1985 Impromptu acoustic version remastered
15th March 2019 : The Alarm – A Story of Strength
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C108 (CD)
1984 Demo extract 29 seconds long
5th June 2021 : The Alarm – History Repeating 1981-2021
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C120 (Double CD), 21C123LP (Double Vinyl Album)
1985 single recording remastered
Single appearances and discography
(Pictures can be enlarged by right clicking to open in a new window)
UK Releases :
18th February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM 1
1985 Single studio recording details
18th February 1985 : 12″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory (extended version)
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM 12
1985 Single studio recording details
18th February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl Gate-fold Double Pack single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory / Room At The Top / Reason 36
IRS Records catalogue number ALARM D1
1985 Single studio recording details
9th September 1985 : 12″ Vinyl single – Strength
Track listing : Strength (Power Mix) / Majority / Absolute Reality (Impromptu Acoustic version)
IRS Records catalogue number IRT 104
July 1985 Impromptu acoustic recording
Europe Releases :
February 1985 : 7″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number A-6084
1985 Single studio recording details
February 1985 : 12″ Vinyl maxi-single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Reason 36 / Blaze of Glory (extended version) / Room At The Top
IRS Records catalogue number A 12.6084
September 1985 : 12″ Vinyl maxisSingle – Strength
Track listing : Strength (Power Mix) / Majority / Absolute Reality (Impromptu Acoustic version)
IRS Records catalogue number ILSA 12.6550
July 1985 Impromptu acoustic recording
Australian Release : 
1985 : 7″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Blaze of Glory
IRS Records catalogue number ES 1046
USA Releases :
May 1986 : 7″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Room At The Top
IRS Records catalogue number IRS-52828
May 1986 : 12″ Vinyl single – Absolute Reality
Track listing : Absolute Reality / Majority / Reason 36
IRS Records catalogue number L33-17108
Japanese Release : 
1986 : 12″ Vinyl single – Strength
Track listing : Strength (Power Mix) / Majority / Absolute Reality (Impromptu Acoustic version)
IRS Records catalogue number 12AP 3135
July 1985 Impromptu acoustic recording
Officially released live recordings – Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
3rd May 1985. Recorded live at The Powerhouse, Birmingham, England
Running length 3:25
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released in 2003 as The Alarm – The Sound & The Fury Live 1981 to 1991
Shakedown records, catalogue number SHAKEBX112Z (UK, Export) (CD)
Released in 2008 as The Alarm – Absolute Reality
The Great American Music Company, catalogue number CD-GA-702 (USA) (CD)
Released in 2014 as The Alarm – When The Storm Broke
Secret records, catalogue number SECDD098 (UK) (CD)
9th November 1985. Recorded live at Orpheum Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts. USA
Running length 3:25
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Mark Taylor
Released on Double Vinyl album 13th April 2019 as The Alarm – Strength Live’ 85.
Catalogue number 21C107LP
12th April 1986. Recorded live at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Mark Tayloe
Released on CD/DVD package in 2007 as The Alarm Spirit of 86 as remastered audio on CD
Catalogue number 21CDVD011
9th February 1988. Recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, London W6, England
Running length 3:37
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald and Nigel Twist
Released on Double Vinyl album 26th September 2020 as The Alarm – Celtic Folklore Live
Catalogue number 21C115
14th January 2000. Recorded at The Gathering 8, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Running length 3:12
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
15th January 2000. Recorded at The Gathering 8, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Running length 3:27
Performed by Mike Peters and New Electric Band.
Band Line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley.
4th December 2000. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
5th December 2000. Recorded at University, Newcastle, England
Running length 3:45
7th December 2000. Recorded at The Cockpit, Leeds, England
Running length 3:45
8th December 2000. Recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England
9th December 2000. Recorded at The Lomax, Liverpool, England
Running length 3:26
10th December 2000. Recorded at The Leadmill, Sheffield, England
13th December 2000. Recorded at Rock City, Nottingham, England
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire (W12), London, England
Running length 4:10
16th December 2000. Recorded at University, Cardiff, Wales
Running length 5:00
17th December 2000. Recorded at University, Manchester, England
December shows performed as The Alarm 2000
Band line up for December shows were : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
The UK December dates were part of the tour to promote The Alarm 2000 collection and were billed as The Alarm MM. The December tour CD’s were released as Live At ….
13th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 7, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Running length 3:25
Performed by The Alarm MMI
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
Released in USA on Beyond and Japan on Imperial Records in 2001, reissued in UK, Europe Australia & New Zealand on Select Records and USA on Beyond in 2005 as The Alarm – Greatest Hits Live
6th February 2001. Recorded at Logo, Hamburg, Germany
10th February 2001. Recorded at Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Running length 4:07
9th April 2001. Recorded At The Elbo Room, Chicago, Illinois, USA
12th April 2001. Recorded at T.T. The Bear’s Place, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
13th April 2001. Recorded at The Vanderbilt, Plainview, New York, USA
20th April 2001. Recorded at The Cotton Club, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
February and April dates performed by The Alarm MMI
(Band Line up : tbc for the Feb and April dates)
1st February 2003. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
Running length 3:36
6th February 2003. Recorded at Masque Theatre, Liverpool, England
7th February 2003. Recorded at The Mean Fiddler, Harlesden, London NW10, England
Running length 3:15
Performed by The Alarm MMIII
23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running length 3:35.
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 4 – The New Wave Songs Are Rising
3rd November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory, New York, USA
5th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
10th November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, USA
Running length 3:37
12th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
17th November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (East), New York, USA
Running length 3:13
19th November 2003. Recorded at The Middle East, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
20th November 2003. Recorded at Elbo Room, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Running length 3:18
21st November 2003. Recorded at The Knitting Factory (West), Los Angeles, California, USA
Running length 3:28
November dates performed by The Alarm MMIII
(Band Line up : tbc for the Feb and November dates)
7th February 2004. recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England
8th February 2004. The Academy, Liverpool, England
26th February 2004. Recorded at Municipal Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Wales
Running length 3:36
1st March 2004. Recorded at Scala, Kings Cross, London N1, England
Running length 3:21
Released in 2005 on CD/DVD Live In The Poppy Fields
Snapper Records SMASDVD026
7th March 2004. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
Running length 3:14
February and March dates performed by The Alarm MMIV
Band line up for February/March : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
29th August 2004. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running length 3:15
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2004 on Alarmstock 2 Volume 7 – Out Come The Flags And Banners Again
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studio 2, London NW8, England
Running length 3:20
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set 4 – Eight Thousand Went Down
13th August 2005. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio A, New York, USA
Running length 4:10
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III New York Set 3 – Strength [Love and Hope]
20th August 2005. Recorded at Capitol Records Studio A, Los Angeles, California, USA
Running length 6:13
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic.
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III Los Angeles Set 3 – Spirit of ’86 Revisited
2006. Recorded during the 2006 The Saturday Gigs dates, specific venue is not known
Running length 4:22
Performed by The Alarm MMVI
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, tbc
Released in 2006 as The Alarm VI – The Saturday Gigs
Catalogue number 21C032
28th February 2009. Recorded at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Wales
Running length 3:18
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2009 as Mike Peters of The Alarm Live Acoustic
Catalogue number 21C049 (CD)
22nd October 2010. Record at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow, Scotland.
Running length 3:15
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2010 as Mike Peters // The Alarm – Direct Acoustic MMX live in Glasgow
Catalogue number 21C054 (CD)
29th January 2011. Recorded at The Gathering 19, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Running length 3:30
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line Up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor
Released in 2011 on CD/DVD – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2011
Catalogue number 21CDVD015 (Audio disc)
27th January 2012. Recorded at The Gathering 20, Pontins Prestatyn Sands, Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Running length 3:45
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor, Steve Norman
Released in 2012 – The Alarm – The Music Must And Shall Be Preserved
Catalogue Number 21CDVD016 (Audio disc)
26th January 2013. Recorded at The Gathering 21, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales.
Running length 4:04
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor
Released in 2013 as The Alarm – Abide With Us – Live at The Gathering 2013
Catalogue number 21C063 (CD)
1st February 2014. Recorded at The Gathering 22, Venue Cymru. Llandudno, Wales
Running length 2:49
Performed by The Alarm
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor
Released on CD/DVD in 2015 on The Alarm – No Barriers – The Gathering 2014
Twenty First Century Recording Company – 21CDVD018 (Highlights discs)
18th April 2014. Recorded at McCabe’s, Santa Monica, California, USA.
Running length 3:25
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2014 as Mike Peters In Concert at McCabe’s
Catalogue number 21C069 (CD)
10th October 2015. Recorded at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales
formed by The Alarm, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra & Acquire Choir
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Quirk, Acquire Choir under the Musical Director Leslie Churchill Ward.
Released on CD in 2016 – Mike Peters & The Alarm – Poppies Falling From The Sky,
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C078 (audio disc)
16th April 2015. Record at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on DVD/CD 2016 as Mike Peters Presents The Alarm – Spirit of ’86 Concert – Cavern Club, Liverpool
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C080
Officially released live recordings – Video / DVD
All are Worldwide Releases except where stated
12th April 1986. Recorded live at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
Performed by The Alarm
Band Line up : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist, Mark Taylor
Released on VHS cassette in 1986
Hendring, catalogue number HEN 2 043 D
Released on CD/DVD package in 2007 as The Alarm Spirit of 86 – Remastered 1986 UCLA Concert
Produced by Mike Peters, Paul Sutherland & Rob Spaull
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD011
Released on CD/DVD package in 2016 as The Alarm Spirit of 86 – Restored and remastered 1986 UCLA Concert
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C080
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England
Performed by The Alarm MM
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2002 as The Alarm MM – Greatest Hits Live
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD001
13th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 9, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales.
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley.
Released on DVD in 2005 as The Alarm – The Gathering History
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD003
9th June 2001. Recorded at The Town Hall, Rhyl, Wales.
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2001 on DVD asThe Story Of The Alarm (20th Anniversary)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD002
12th January 2002. Recorded at The Gathering 10, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm MMII
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2005 as The Alarm – The Gathering History
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD003
25th January 2003. Recorded at The Gathering 11, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm MMIII
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley, Mark Taylor
Released on DVD in 2005 as The Alarm – The Gathering History
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD003
24th January 2004. Recorded at The Gathering 12, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm MMIV
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley, Mark Taylor
Released on DVD in 2005 as The Alarm – The Gathering History
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD003
1st March 2004. Recorded at Scala, Kings Cross, London N1, England
Performed by The Alarm MMIV
Band line up for March : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released in 2005 on CD/DVD as Live In The Poppy Fields,
Snapper Records, catalogue number SMASDVD026
8th November 2004. Recorded at at The Marquee, Leicester Square, London WC2E, England
Performed by The Alarm MMIV
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released in 2006 on DVD as Rock And Roll Circus (Live At The Marquee)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD005
29th January 2006. Recorded at The Gathering 14, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm VI
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2006 as The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2006
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD008
27th January 2007. Recorded at The Gathering 15, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2007 as The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2007 Premium Rock & Roll
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD010
26th January 2008. Recorded at The Gathering 16, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2008 as The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2008 Tactical Response
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD012
31st January 2009. Recorded at The Gathering 17, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2010 as The Alarm – Loaded, Live At The Gathering 2009
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD013
29th January 2010. Recorded at Gathering 18, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley, Mark Taylor
Released in 2010 on DVD as The Alarm Live In The Red Poppy Arena
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD014
29th January 2011. Recorded at The Gathering 19, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up: Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released in 2011 on DVD as The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2011
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD015
27th January 2012. Recorded at The Gathering 20, Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Prestatyn, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor, Steve Norman
Released in 2012 on DVD as The Alarm – The Music Must And Shall Be Preserved
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD016
26th January 2013. Recorded at The Gathering 21, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Running length 4:04
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor
Released on CD/DVD in 2013 as The Alarm – Abide With Us – Live at The Gathering 2013
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C063
1st February 2014. Recorded at The Gathering 22, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor.
Released in 2014 on DVD as The Alarm – No Barriers Act 2 Gathering 2014
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD018
5th April 2014. Recorded at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, England
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2014 on DVD as Declaration – Live From The Deaf Institute
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD017
10th October 2015. Recorded at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Wales
formed by The Alarm, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra & Acquire Choir
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, The Welsh Pops Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Quirk, Acquire Choir under the Musical Director Leslie Churchill Ward.
Released on CD/DVD in 2016 as Mike Peters & The Alarm – Poppies Falling From The Sky,
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C078 (DVD disc)
30th January 2015. Recorded at The Gathering 23, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released in 2015 on DVDas The Alarm – Hands Held High – Friday Concert
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD018
31st January 2015. Recorded at The Gathering 23, Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by The Alarm
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve “Smiley” Barnard, Mark Taylor.
Released in 2015 on DVD as The Alarm – Hands Held High – Saturday Concert Act 1
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD018
2nd May 2015. Recorded at The Globe, Cardiff, Wales
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD on 7th December 2015 as Mike Peters presents The Alarm – Live At The Globe 2015 – Majority Set
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD019
10th October 2015. Recorded at Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Wales
Performed by The Alarm with The Welsh Pops Orchestra and Acquire Choir
Band line-up : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Steve “Smiley” Barnard
Released in 2016 on DVD/CD as Mike Peters & The Alarm – Poppies Falling From the Sky
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21CDVD020
16th April 2015. Record at The Cavern Club, Liverpool, England
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on DVD/CD 2016 as Mike Peters Presents The Alarm – Spirit of ’86 Concert – Cavern Club Liverpool
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C080
Radio Sessions, TV Appearances, Podcast and Multi-media
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(All Images right click to open larger in new window)
16th February 1985 – Gary Crowley Session – Recorded for the Capital Radio
First transmitted on 21st February 1985
Running length 3:18
Performed by Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist and Rupert Black
Released in 2008 as The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991
BBC on Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C045 (Double CD)
18th February 1985 – Bruno Brookes Session – Recorded for the BBC Radio One
First transmitted on 18th February 1985
Running length 3:14
Performed by Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist
Released in 2008 as The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991
BBC on Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C045 (Double CD)
4th April 2020. First broadcast for Season 1 Episode 3 of the Big Night In live stream broadcast from The Peters House, Dyserth, Wales
Running Length 3:26
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2020 as The Alarm Music Will Keep Us Strong – Disc 1
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C118
The Big Night In Season 1 Episode 3 can be viewed in full on the video section of Alarm Central
23rd May 2020. First broadcast for Season 1 Episode 10 of the Big Night In live stream broadcast from The Peters House, Dyserth, Wales
Running Length 0:54
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic as part of a medley of songs
Released on CD in 2020 as The Alarm Music Will Keep Us Strong – Disc 3
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C118
The Big Night In Season 1 Episode 10 can be viewed in full on the video section of Alarm Central
Lyrics – Single version
Hey now now
Hey hey hey
You may be rich
You may be poor
You may have nothing in this world at all
You may be black, you maybe white
You may be a prisoner in your own times
You may be lost. You may be found
You may have been beaten up and knocked to the ground
You may have belief, suffer from deceit
Or you just might be blind
Oh no no
You may affect the truth
You may be seen as false
You may be a king or a vagabond
You may be up, you may be down
You may sit in judgement with the rest of the clowns
You may have love
You may have hate
You may be the President Of The United States
But even you, you can’t sit and hide
While the world’s resources die
This is absolute reality reality reality
We are all the cause,
The solution to reality
Ooh yeah yeah
Hey now now
Hey now now
You may be in control
You may be controlled
You may sit down ’till you do as you’re told
You may work hard
You may never work at all
You may be accused but you don’t know what for
You may be innocent or partly to blame
You may just be afraid in this power mad age
But there’s one thing we all must find
Some peace in our time
This is absolute reality reality reality
If I may speak of truth this is absolute reality
The absolute time, the absolute place
The absolute now for the absolute solution
It’s absolute reality now
Now Now Now
This is absolute reality reality reality
This is absolute reality reality reality
This is absolute
Oh reality
La la la la la
This is absolute
La la la la la
Reality
La la la la la
This is absolute
Reality
Alternative Lyrics – 1997 Acoustic Works
You may be rich
You may be poor
You may have nothing in this world at all
You may be black, you maybe white
You may be a prisoner in your own times
You may be lost., you may be found
You may have been beaten up and knocked to the ground
You may have belief, suffer from deceit
Or you just might be blind
Oh no no
You may affect the truth
You may be seen as false
You may be a king or a vagabond
You may be up, you may be down
You may sit in judgement with the rest of the clowns
You may have love
You may have hate
You may be the President Of The United States
But even you, you can’t sit and hide
While the world’s resources die
This is absolute reality reality reality
We are all the cause,
The solution to reality
A one two
You may be in control
You may be controlled
You may sit down ’til you do as you’re told
You may work hard
You may never work at all
You may be accused but you don’t know what for
You may be innocent or partly to blame
You may just be afraid in this power mad age
But there’s one thing we all can bring
Some peace in our time
This is absolute reality reality reality
If I may speak of truth this is absolute reality
The absolute time, the absolute place
The absolute now for the absolute solution
It’s absolute reality now
Now Now Now
This is absolute reality reality reality
This is absolute reality reality reality
This is absolute
La la la la la
This is absolute
La la la la la
Reality
La la la la la
This is absolute
Reality
Audio & Visual Source – 6 x video 1 x audio
Promotional videos and TV Appearances for Absolute Reality
Click on image to watch the official promotional video The Alarm – Absolute Reality (Official Music Video) [2018 Remaster]
Click on image to watch to watch the video from the UK TV show The Tube in 1985
Click on image to watch the video from the UK TV show Saturday Superstore 2nd March 1985, footage also includes Blaze of Glory and interview
Click on image to watch a recording from the UK TV show Oxford Road Show March 1985, footage also includes Knife Edge
Click on the image for the video of the 1st March 2004 Scala, London recording released as In The Poppy Fields Live
Click on the image for the video of the Friday night performance from the Gathering 2015 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno with Acquire
Audio Link – Absolute Reality 2019 Strength remastered album version
(Page updated 18/02/2022)