The I'm A Cult Hero Various Artists compilation is a highly sought-after, unofficial double-vinyl bootleg LP celebrating rare post-punk, darkwave, minimal synth, and goth rock. Pressed around 2009 with a fictitious copyright date of 1989 on the jacket, this release functions as a deep dive into the dark, experimental sounds of late-1970s and 1980s alternative subcultures. The compilation borrows its title and stylistic ethos from Robert Smith’s legendary 1979 side-project single. It bridges the gap between raw punk and early industrial styles, featuring standout cuts like Ministry's synth-heavy early single "Same Old Madness", The Damned's psychedelic-goth cover of "Alone Again Or", and The Sound's brooding post-punk anthem "I Can't Escape Myself". By packaging these rare, influential tracks together, the compilation serves as a historical capsule of the era's moody counterculture.
The release is highly distinctive for its physical format and curated tracklist, which brings together a mix of rare singles, obscure B-sides, and foundational goth anthems across its four sides. The first record (LP1) is pressed on standard black vinyl, while the second record (LP2) is pressed on blue vinyl. The tracklist spans legendary underground acts like Nightmares In Wax (an early incarnation of Dead or Alive) performing "Black Leather", alongside foundational tracks from Death In June, Sex Beat, and early My Bloody Valentine. It also highlights rare minimal synth tracks from artists like Cetu Javu, Snowy Red, and John Bender. Because of its unofficial status and limited pressing, this compilation remains a rare collector's item for vinyl enthusiasts seeking the definitive soundscapes of the post-punk movement.
