Artist page · 05/07/2026

The Residents

ShreveportFormed in 1966Alternatif20 vinyl albums
The Residents, founded in 1966 in Shreveport, Louisiana, later based in San Francisco, are pioneers of avant-garde and experimental rock music known for anonymity and multimedia artistry.
20Albums on Vinyles.com
1453Discogs releases
325kLast.fm listeners

About

The Residents, Over five decades of avant-garde experimental soundcraft from California.

22 vinyl releases tracked including original 1970s LPs; prices range up to €54 for reissues and rare editions.

The Residents have maintained a career spanning over fifty years, distinguished by anonymity, theatrical presentations, and a prolific output exceeding eighty albums. Originating from the US, they embraced a distinctive visual identity with tuxedos, top hats, and eyeball masks from the 1980s onward. Their innovation includes blending music with multimedia formats such as short films, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.

Key records like "Meet The Residents" (1974), "The Third Reich 'N' Roll" (1976), and "Eskimo" (1979) showcase experimental composition techniques and unusual formats, including one-minute songs and large-scale sound collages.

Discography

The Residents — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

The Way We WereRalph America · 2005
2005
The Way We Were
CD, Album, DVD, DVD-Video, All Media, Limited Edition, Numbered
Studio
The King & Eye: RMXEuro Ralph · 2004
2004
The King & Eye: RMX
CD, Album
Studio
WB:RMXCryptic Corporation · 2004
2004
WB:RMX
CD, Album
Studio
The 12 Days Of BrumaliaRalph America · 2004
2004
The 12 Days Of Brumalia
CD, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Studio
Commercial Album DVDMute · 2004
2004
Commercial Album DVD
DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic
Studio
I Murdered Mommy!Ralph America · 2004
2004
I Murdered Mommy!
CD, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Studio
Demons Dance AloneEuro Ralph · 2002
2002
Demons Dance Alone
CD, Album
Studio
Icky Flix (Original Soundtrack Recording)Cryptic Corporation · 2001
2001
Icky Flix (Original Soundtrack Recording)
CD, Album
Studio
Roadworms (The Berlin Sessions)Euro Ralph · 2000
2000
Roadworms (The Berlin Sessions)
CD, Album
Studio
Wormwood (Curious Stories From The Bible)East Side Digital · 1998
1998
Wormwood (Curious Stories From The Bible)
CD, Album
Studio
Pollex ChristiRalph America · 1997
1997
Pollex Christi
CD, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Studio
Have A Bad DayEast Side Digital · 1996
1996
Have A Bad Day
CD, Album
Studio
Hunters (The World Of Predators And Prey)Milan · 1995
1995
Hunters (The World Of Predators And Prey)
CD, Album
Studio
Gingerbread ManEast Side Digital · 1994
1994
Gingerbread Man
CD, Album
Studio
Gingerbread Man (Expanded Album)Ion · 1994
1994
Gingerbread Man (Expanded Album)
CD, CD-ROM, Enhanced, Album, Box Set
Studio
Our Finest FlowersEuro Ralph · 1992
1992
Our Finest Flowers
CD, Album
Studio
Cube-E (The History Of American Music In 3 E-Z Pieces) - Live In HollandTorso · 1990
1990
Cube-E (The History Of American Music In 3 E-Z Pieces) - Live In Holland
CD, Album
Live
Freak ShowCryptic Corporation · 1990
1990
Freak Show
CD, Album
Studio
Mole Show (Live In Holland June 6th 1983)Torso · 1989
1989
Mole Show (Live In Holland June 6th 1983)
CD, Album
Live
The King & EyeTorso · 1989
1989
The King & Eye
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
God In Three PersonsRyko Analogue · 1988
1988
God In Three Persons
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live In Holland (13th Anniversary Show)Torso · 1987
1987
Live In Holland (13th Anniversary Show)
CD, Album, Stereo
Live
Live In The USA! 13th Anniversary TourRalph Records · 1986
1986
Live In The USA! 13th Anniversary Tour
Cassette, Album, Stereo
Live
13th Anniversary Show - Live In JapanRalph Records · 1986
1986
13th Anniversary Show - Live In Japan
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Stars & Hank Forever! (The American Composer's Series - Volume II)Ralph Records · 1986
1986
Stars & Hank Forever! (The American Composer's Series - Volume II)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Census Taker (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Episode Records · 1985
1985
The Census Taker (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Big Bubble (Part Four Of The Mole Trilogy)Ralph Records · 1985
1985
The Big Bubble (Part Four Of The Mole Trilogy)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
George & James (American Composer Series -  Volume 1)Ralph Records · 1984
1984
George & James (American Composer Series - Volume 1)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Whatever Happened To Vileness Fats?Ralph Records · 1984
1984
Whatever Happened To Vileness Fats?
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Title In LimboRalph Records · 1983
1983
Title In Limbo
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Mole ShowRalph Records · 1983
1983
Mole Show
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Tunes Of Two CitiesRalph Records · 1982
1982
The Tunes Of Two Cities
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Mark Of The MoleRalph Records · 1981
1981
Mark Of The Mole
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Commercial AlbumRalph Records · 1980
1980
Commercial Album
Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint
Studio
EskimoRalph Records · 1979
1979
Eskimo
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Duck Stab / Buster & GlenRalph Records · 1978
1978
Duck Stab / Buster & Glen
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Not AvailableRalph Records · 1978
1978
Not Available
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
FingerprinceRalph Records · 1977
1977
Fingerprince
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Third Reich 'N' RollRalph Records · 1976
1976
The Third Reich 'N' Roll
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Meet The ResidentsRalph Records · 1974
1974
Meet The Residents
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up The Residents's career.

01
Amber
Amber
Commercial Album · 1980
02
Easter Woman
Easter Woman
Commercial Album · 1980
03
Boots
·
04
Constantinople
·
05
Perfect Love
Perfect Love
Commercial Album · 1980
06
Numb Erone
·
07
Picnic Boy
Picnic Boy
Commercial Album · 1980
08
Moisture
Moisture
Commercial Album · 1980

The essentials

The 3 The Residents albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1980
Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint
Commercial Album

A collection of 40 one-minute tracks pushing boundaries of song structure, originally released on Ralph Records and now available in multiple pressings including Australian and UK editions.

40 tracksOriginal 1980 releaseMisprint editionAustralian and UK pressings noted
#2 · 1979
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Eskimo

Experimental sound collage inspired by Arctic and Inuit themes with six tracks, issued originally by Ralph Records, featuring various editions including white label and limited versions.

6 tracksLimited editionWhite label pressingMultiple pressings from 1979
#3 · 1977
Vinyl, LP, Album
Fingerprince

An early avant-garde album containing nine tracks blending experimental electronic elements, available on Ralph Records with both original 1977 and repress vinyl editions.

9 tracks1977 original pressingRepress editionsRalph Records label

Go further

Artists similar to The Residents

Artists who share part of The Residents's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

Demons Dance Alone
Master release · LP · 2002
Market position i
29,11 €
Min price 29 €Max price 29 €
Average price 29,11 €
Only 21 copies for sale on Discogs
75 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Commercial Album
Master release · LP · 1980
Market position i
20,00 €
Min price 15 €Max price 36 €
Average price 20,00 €
Only 66 copies for sale on Discogs
680 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Eskimo
Master release · LP · 1979
Market position i
18,92 €
Min price 10 €Max price 28 €
Average price 18,92 €
Only 77 copies for sale on Discogs
754 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Not Available
Master release · LP · 1978
Market position i
14,14 €
Min price 12 €Max price 26 €
Average price 14,14 €
Only 79 copies for sale on Discogs
483 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Fingerprince
Master release · LP · 1977
Market position i
34,69 €
Min price 15 €Max price 54 €
Average price 34,69 €
Only 64 copies for sale on Discogs
546 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Third Reich 'N' Roll
Master release · LP · 1976
Market position i
10,73 €
Min price 10 €Max price 211 €
Average price 10,73 €
Only 89 copies for sale on Discogs
872 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

AlbumEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
Demons Dance AloneLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
New Ralph Too USA & Europe · 2024 NRTLP022D Original pressing
75 want · 335 have · ratio 0,2
29,11 €
Commercial AlbumLP, Album
PRE (5) UK · 1980 PRE X 2, PREX 2 🔥 Standard edition
680 want · 1 499 have · ratio 0,5
20,00 €
Commercial AlbumLP, Album
Missing Link Australia · 1980 LINK 9 Original pressing
680 want · 1 499 have · ratio 0,5
36,25 €
EskimoLP, Album, Limited Edition
Ralph Records US · 1979 ESK7906 🔥 Standard edition
754 want · 1 269 have · ratio 0,6
27,84 €
EskimoLP, Album, White Label
Ralph Records US · 1979 ESK 7906 Original pressing
754 want · 1 269 have · ratio 0,6
Not AvailableLP, Album
Ralph Records US · 1978 RR1174 🔥 Standard edition
483 want · 554 have · ratio 0,9
13,28 €
Not AvailableLP, Album
Ralph Records US · 1978 RR1174 Original pressing
483 want · 554 have · ratio 0,9
26,09 €
FingerprinceLP, Album, Repress
Ralph Records US · 1977 RR 1276 Original pressing
546 want · 317 have · ratio 1,7

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of The Residents

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

The note rejecting their demo tape was simply addressed to 'the Residents', a name the band adopted thereafter.
— Band origin story
01History

Formation and origin in 1966

The Residents were founded in 1966 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The group moved to California shortly thereafter and began exploring experimental art and music forms, eventually establishing their distinctive anonymous persona.

1966Shreveport
02Album

"The Third Reich 'N' Roll" controversy in 1976

Released in 1976, "The Third Reich 'N' Roll" features two lengthy tracks that edit and recompose 1960s rock classics with altered lyrics and instrumentation, notable for its provocative cover art depicting a TV presenter in Nazi uniform surrounded by swastikas.

1976San Francisco
03Unique Visuals

Eyeball masks and theatrical costumes since the 1980s

From the 1980s, The Residents adopted a signature look involving tuxedos, top hats, and distinctive eyeball masks, making their anonymity a visual hallmark throughout live performances and public appearances.

1980sSan Francisco
04Vinyl Pressings

Original and reissue vinyl pressings tracked

Vinyles.com catalogues over 20 vinyl records by The Residents including key albums with multiple original pressings (USA, Europe, Australia) and reissues in diverse formats, some with limited edition or misprint variations.

1974-2024USA & Europe

Records by The Residents

See all

FAQ

FAQ: The Residents on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Where did The Residents originate?

The Residents originated in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, before relocating to San Francisco, California.

What genres define The Residents' music?

The Residents are known for avant-garde, experimental rock, electronic, and art pop styles.

Which album by The Residents features 40 one-minute songs?

"Commercial Album" (1980) contains 40 tracks, each lasting exactly one minute, highlighting experimental songwriting.

What is notable about the album "The Third Reich 'N' Roll"?

It reworks 1960s rock classics into two extended tracks with altered lyrics and distinctive cover art featuring Nazi imagery to provoke thought and controversy.

How many vinyl releases by The Residents are listed on Vinyles.com?

Vinyles.com tracks 22 vinyl releases by The Residents including original pressings and recent reissues.

Are there original US pressings of "Eskimo" available?

Original and limited edition vinyl pressings of "Eskimo" from 1979 by Ralph Records exist and are catalogued, with some pressings labeled white label.

What is distinct about the stage costumes of The Residents?

The band has worn tuxedos, top hats, and eyeball masks since the 1980s, maintaining anonymity and creating a unique visual identity.

Where can I find rare or reissued pressings of The Residents vinyls in France?

French collectors can find various pressings through Vinyles.com’s price comparison, including European and reissue editions with tracked availability and pricing.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026