John Peel had been playing records by the band since 1979, when they were known as BOYS NEXT DOOR. Between their relocation from Melbourne to London in 1980 and 1982 - shortly before moving to Berlin and soon after splitting - THE BIRTHDAY PARTY recorded four Peel sessions.
This is their second, recorded on this day in 1981, and first broadcast a week later. The recording was aired again, five times, throughout 1981 and once again in early 1982.
The opening song from this session, "Release the Bats", was selected as John Peel's Single of the Year and included on that years Festive Fifty.