"Junk Culture" was released on 30 April 1984 and entered the UK Albums Chart a week later, the same week that the single "Locomotion" was at its chart peak of no. 5. Limited pressings of the vinyl LP came with a free one-sided 7" single featuring the track "(The Angels Keep Turning) The Wheels of the Universe", thus boosting initial sales. The album entered the UK chart at no. 9, outselling the new album by contemporaries The Cure ("The Top"), although beaten by fellow Liverpudlians Echo & the Bunnymen whose "Ocean Rain" entered at no. 4. All three albums gradually dropped down the charts in successive weeks. Sales of "Junk Culture" were boosted once more during the release of the second single "Talking Loud and Clear", although it dropped out of the Top 40 all together in August.