The Gift (Rehearsals and Live Recordings 1986 - 1988)

In 1988, The House Of Love arrived with a debut album that felt completely realised: sharp, melodic and shaped by two years of writing, rehearsing and playing live. The Gift traces that crucial 1986 to 1988 period, from the Camberwell squat scene to the heart of an indie world moving overground.

Drawn from bassist Chris Groothuizen’s archive and compiled with full approval from chief songwriter Guy Chadwick, this 3CD set gives a rare look at the band’s early development. It features previously unheard rehearsal recordings and live shows from London and Paris, all carefully restored and remastered using the latest technology.

With sleevenotes built from interviews with all four surviving members, plus a 1986 to 1988 gigography and previously unseen images and flyers from the band’s own archive, The Gift is an essential part of The House Of Love story.