Flesh For Lulu’s Plastic Fantastic, the final studio album from the British band’s classic lineup, gets an expanded deluxe reissue that showcases a pivotal time in the band’s history. Remastered from the original tapes, the new edition adds the previously unreleased “Bloodshot Moon” and a complete recording of the band’s November 26, 1989, gig at Club Malibu on Long Island, New York. Since only eight of the concert’s 15 tracks have never been officially released before, this gives fans a complete look at a band whose fame grew from the underground post-punk scene to American alternative radio, and ultimately came fully alive on stage.

Formed in Brixton, London, in 1982, Flesh For Lulu built an early following in the post-punk and goth underground centered around London’s Batcave club, coming up with bands like Alien Sex Fiend and Specimen. The group’s momentum led to demo recordings, an important John Peel session, and a record deal with Polydor, which released the band’s self-titled debut in 1984. A U.K. tour supporting the Sisters Of Mercy helped spread the word, setting the stage for a creative leap that busted them out of the confines of the scene they helped launch.

In 1986, Flesh For Lulu signed with Beggars Banquet and released Long Live The New Flesh, which brought the band chart success and established the band’s distinctive blend of dark post-punk mixed with a glam-rock edge and most importantly, a never-ending supply of huge hooks. In the US, the group broke all the way through when “I Go Crazy” showed up in John Hughes’ 1987 movie Some Kind Of Wonderful.

For the follow up Plastic Fantastic, the band headed to Australia to record with producer Mark Opitz, known for his work with INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, and the Saints. The resulting album kept the momentum going even as tensions within the group threatened its future. “Decline And Fall” reached No. 15 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock chart, while “Time And Space” climbed to No. 9 on the same chart. “Every Little Word” also reached No. 14 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, highlighting the band’s unique ability to cross over between alternative-rock and the dance floor.

The deluxe reissue revisits Plastic Fantastic at a moment when Flesh For Lulu were adding new fans while confronting an uncertain future. Joe Marchese of the Second Disc interviewed band members for the liner notes, adding firsthand perspective to the album’s story. Dedicated to the memory of Nick Marsh, the expanded edition finally gives this overlooked chapter of the band’s catalog the love it deserves.

You can also pick up the Deluxe Reissue of Long Live The New Flesh which includes the previously mentioned “I Go Crazy,” the shoulda-been-a-much-bigger-hit at the time “Postcards From Paradise,” plus the hidden gem in their discography, the fantastic single-only release from 1986, “Idol,” and more.