The Whole Story

the whole story is the first cd release by cult manchester post-punk band foreign press. manchester group foreign press were active between 1979 and 1988. after early gigs at legendary clubs including rafters, devilles and the factory / russell, the group recruited joy division manager rob gretton to produce their first single, 'downpour', in 1979. after a second single, 'climbing', in 1981, foreign press elected to pursue a more overtly commercial direction. the result was anthemic electro single 'the great divide', produced by bernard sumner (new order) and donald johnson (a certain ratio), and released through a major label in 1983. despite management from the team behind wham! and a second pop single, the group failed to crack the charts, and after later demos for an album (again produced by donald johnson) finally split in 1988. however during their decade together foreign press recorded a wealth of material, much of it released here for the first time. digitally remastered, 32 track 150 minute double disc set the whole story features all tracks from all four singles, as well as previously unreleased demo and session tracks. the booklet includes archive images and liner notes by singer ralph bowe.