The Stand was the third single released by The Alarm, the second one on IRS Records. The release date appears to be 11th April 1983, with an advert from the UK Sounds magazine date 16th April 1983 stating the release was this week. The single was released as a 7″ vinyl and also being the first release on 12″ single in the UK. It was also released as a single in Holland and the USA as a 7″ single. In the USA the single was released in October 1983 to coincide with their first solo USA tour
(Advert from New Musical Express 16th April 1983. Sounds magazine 16th April 1983 and 23rd April 1983 editions. )
(Magazine cuttings supplied by Stephen Rav)
UK Official Singles Chart positions
23rd April 1983 – Enters at number 98
30th April 1983 – Climbs to number 87
7th May 1982 – Climbs to number 86
Leaves the Top 100 official UK singles
The original plan for the release based on this snippet in one of the UK music magazines, suggests that the b-side of The Stand was originally going to be Sixty Eight Guns
Song recording details
The Stand was recorded with Mike Peters on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, Dave Sharp on acoustic guitar, backing vocals, Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar, backing vocals, Nigel Twist on drums, percussion, backing vocals
The song was recorded at on 3rd February 1983 at Ramport Studios, Battersea, London SW8, England
Produced by Mick Glossop
Third Light was recorded live at The Marquee, Wardour Street, London W1, England on 30th January 1983 with Eddie Macdonald on lead vocals electric guitar, Dave Sharp on acoustic guitar, backing vocals, Mike Peters on bass guitar, backing vocals, Nigel Twist on drums, percussion, backing vocals
Recorded and mixed by Kenny McAndrews, Steve Tannett
For Freedom was recorded live at The Marquee, Wardour Street, London W1, England on 30th January 1983 with Mike Peters on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, Dave Sharp on acoustic guitar, backing vocals, Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar, backing vocals, Nigel Twist on drums, percussion, backing vocals
Recorded and mixed by Kenny McAndrews, Steve Tannett
Reason 41 was recorded live at The Marquee, Wardour Street, London W1, England on 30th January 1983 with Dave Sharp on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, Mike Peters on acoustic guitar, backing vocals, Eddie Macdonald on bass guitar, backing vocals, Nigel Twist on drums, percussion, backing vocals
Recorded and mixed by Kenny McAndrews, Steve Tannett
Fan Reviews
I don’t consider myself a The Alarm fan, but I have always liked their earliest stuff, which is well captured on The Alarm. Without any doubt, The Stand is one of their greatest tunes and has aged surprisingly well. This mainly goes out to the still rather rough recording sound, which always suited the band so much better than the increasingly bloodless and sterile productions that came afterwards. The Stand has a rare ‘folky’ vibe to it, and besides the beautiful, acoustic-based arrangement, it’s not only the harmonica that seems to pay some tribute to Bob Dylan. This song is uncommonly wordy and tells a story that easily could have been taken from Mr. Zimmerman’s scrapbook. The youthful energy of their performances makes it all very likable. A fully recommended, timeless classic – KitKat Rateyourmusic website December 2023
Discography
The Stand was released in the following formats
UK Releases
11th April 1983 : The Alarm – The Stand
Released on 7″ Vinyl
IRS Records, catalogue number PFP 1014
Track listing : A side – The Stand / B Side – Third Light (live)
Released on 12″ Vinyl
IRS Records, catalogue number PFSX 1014
Track listing : A side – The Stand / B Side – For Freedom (live) / Reason 41 (live)
Holland Release
Released on 7″ Vinyl
Illegal Records, catalogue number ILSA 3697
Track listing : A side – The Stand / B Side – Third Light (live)
USA Release
Released on 7″ Vinyl
Illegal Records, catalogue number IR 9922,
Track listing : A side – The Stand / B Side – Reason 41 (live)
Promotional Video
Originally there was no promotional video for the release of The Stand. But The Alarm appeared on the USA TV show Cutting Edge on 1st September 1983 as an IRS label special feature, The Alarm’s first appearance on US TV. The footage from this was used to help promote the band including their first solo USA tour that followed this appearance. In 2018 a remastered version of this and the Cutting Edge video was released as a video as part of the expanded Eponymous album release
Click image to watch – The Alarm – The Cutting Edge 1st September 1983 & The Stand (Official Music Video) [2018 Remaster]
(Page Update 28/04/2024)