March 1998.
The third release on Italy Records, a relatively new indie-label based in Detroit is by a relatively new indie/garage punk calling themselves The White Stripes. The duo, consisting of Jack White (vocals/guitar) and Meg White (drums/vocals), are siblings – well that’s their story at this point in time, and they’re sticking to it.
The single has come about as Dave Buick, the founder/owner of Italy Records, sees a great deal of potential in The White Stripes based on watching them perform in various bars in Detroit. Jack White had been reluctant to do so on the basis of not being able to meet the costs involved, but relented when it became clear that the label would pick up the tab.
The decision is taken to go with an energetic number, a little over two minutes in length:-
mp3 : The White Stripes – Let’s Shake Hands
A cover version was chosen for the b-side:-
mp3: The White Stripes – Look Me Over Closely
This song had originally been recorded by Marlene Dietrich in 1953. The composer was Terry Gilkyson, who would later end up at Disney Studios where a number of his subsequent songs would become hugely famous from their use in cartoon films, including the Oscar-nominated Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book in 1968.
Only 1,000 copies of Let’s Shake Hands/Look Over Me Closely were pressed, on 7″ red vinyl. As you can imagine, it’s incredibly difficult to get a hold of, with copies fetching several hundred pounds on the second-hand market. There was a second pressing in 2002, just after The White Stripes had become internationally famous, which is more readily available and affordable, despite again having a limited run of just 1,000 copies, followed by a third pressing in 2008, again with a limited number. (And no, I don’t have a copy of any of the pressings….the mp3s were villaniously acquired…..)
The White Stripes would record a second single, Lafayette Blues, for Italy Records thatwhich was released in October 1998 before they moved to the long-established Sympathy for the Record Industry label, based in California. Over a three-year period, there would be three albums and a number of singles, and enjoying the commercial breakthrough in White Blood Cells in 2001.
I think it’s fair to say that The White Stripes debut single demonstrates clearly the sort of sounds that would propel them to superstardom and widespread acclaim.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
There was yet another pressing made last year. I managed to get hold of one of those.
I have never heard The White Stripes. I have read since day one that they were influenced by Flat Duo Jets, one of my favorite bands whom I have seen countless times, and have a rather large collection of, so I thought ‘why bother?’ Jack White seems to me like another for the same box that I would put a few other artists in of no interest. Namely, Tori Amos – the Kate Bush copy who made more money. And Tracy Chapman – the Joan Armatrading copyist who made more money. White was the Dexter Romweber copyist who made more money. I stuck with Armatrading and Romweber, and even kicked Kate Bush to the curb, eventually.
Actually, I don’t think it’s that auspicious a debut. I must admit that when I went to see them at the Troubadour circa 2000 it was really to see what the big deal was — I’m not sure I had even heard them yet. White was pretty belligerent; the music was interesting but not great. The Von Bondies opened and they were better. Two years later the White Stripes played the El Rey and that was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
Thank you forr sharing this