The artwork was designed by Alan David-Tu with photography by Kevin Cummins.

The album was released on LP and Cassette in November 1985 by Factory Records and peaked at number seventeen on the UK Indie Chart.

The 2003 CD reissue by LTM Recordings includes singles, remixes and b-sides.

The 2013 CD reissue by Factory Benelux include a BBC session, a mix of "Genius" and the retains the mix of "Love Tempo" that appears on UK Cassette and US editions of the album.

The album was named after the 1961 film Pigs and Battleships (豚と軍艦, Buta to gunkan), directed by Shohei Imamura.