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Buy Or Die! (or the Ralph Records Catalogue) was Ralph Records' official mail order catalogue, with twenty-five issues being distributed by Ralph, usually annually but sometimes twice in a year, beginning in February 1977 and ending in summer 1996.
Between 1980 and 1989, issues of the catalogue were accompanied by 7" sampler EPs, which could be ordered from Ralph for $1.00 including postage.
The phrase "Buy Or Die!" has recurred throughout The Residents' iconography since, most recently serving as the name of the online store on the group's official website.
History[]
Cover art for February 1979 edition
The Buy Or Die! catalogue was one of the primary methods devised by Ralph Records to sell and promote their products during the growing success of their flagship act, The Residents, in the mid-to-late 1970s.
Largely designed by Homer Flynn and his Pore Know Graphics graphic design company, the catalogues boasted eye-catching imagery, which notably included contributions from alternative comix artist Gary Panter, who would also design the album cover for the compilation Subterranean Modern in 1979.
The first issue of the catalogue, released in February 1977, was such a success that Ralph had to have it reprinted in April to keep up with the demand. By the time the second issue was released the following August, the label had run out of copies of Santa Dog, "Satisfaction" and Schwump's "Aphids In The Hall". The second issue introduced The Residents' new single, The Beatles Play The Residents and The Residents Play The Beatles.
Ralph employee Tom Timony came up with the idea of including 7" sampler EPs with the Buy Or Die! catalogues, including selections from the label's most recent releases. Around 12,000 to 15,000 copies of each Buy Or Die! sampler EP were pressed, and were sold to customers at a loss for $1.00 including postage.
The idea proved a success, and the sales generated by the catalogues and companion EPs were enough to recoup the losses incurred in selling and shipping the EPs at a dollar each. The first EP, Buy Or Die 1980, included tracks from each ot the artists on the label's roster at that time; MX-80 Sound, Snakefinger, Tuxedomoon and The Residents.
Freak Show Easter Egg[]
In the Freak Show CD-ROM, the 1994 Ralph America Buy or Die catalog featured as an interactive Easter Egg. The user can hear Audio Samples of the albums available, and also view T-Shirt, Posters, Post Cards and more.
Multi-color flashing "door" for the Catalog in Freak Show (1994 CD-ROM)
The screen features this message
"You have just entered an interactive version of THE RESIDENTS "Buy or Die!" mail order catalog.
By clicking on one of the boxes at the bottom of this page, you will see a small sample of the many fine pbroducts available from RALPH AMERICA, exclusive merchandising agents for all RESIDENTS products.
For an old-fashioned paper catalog, including prices and ordering information, please call 1-800-795-3933 or write to: RALPH AMERICA 109 Minna Street #391, San Francisco, CA 94105
Catalogues[]
Some catalogues were accompanied by sampler EPs.
- Ralph Records Catalogue No. 1 (February 1977)
- Buy Or Die! #2 (August 1977)
- Buy Or Die! The Ralph Records Catalog, Number Three (February 1978)
- Buy Or Die! The Ralph Records Catalog, Number Four (February 1979)
- Buy Or Die 1980 (April 1980)
- Buy Or Die 1980½ (October 1980)
- Buy Or Die 1981 (April 1981)
- Buy Or Die #8
- Buy Or Die #9
- Buy Or Die #10
- Buy Or Die #11
- Buy Or Die #12 (April 1986)
- Buy Or Die #13 (Autumn 1986)
- Buy Or Die #14 (March 1987)
- Buy Or Die #14½ (November 1987)
- Buy Or Die 16
- Buy Or Die 17
- Buy Or Die 18
- Buy Or Die 19
- Buy Or Die 20
- Buy Or Die 21 (Fall 1993)
- Buy Or Die 22 (Spring 1994)
- Buy Or Die 23 (1994)
- Buy Or Die Interactive Version (Freak Show (CD-ROM)
- Buy Or Die 24 (Fall 1995)
- Buy Or Die 25 (Summer 1996)