Tomorrow is Record Store Day, the most wonderful time of the year!
For the uninitiated, Record Store Day started in 2008. It is intended to “celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally” according to their official definition.
Part of this celebration is pressing special releases of albums specifically for the day, to be sold exclusively at independent record stores. In 2008 there were only 10 of these. The next year it the number grew to about 85 and has continued to multiply every year. This year there are 387 releases. Any hopes of collecting them all has long since vanished, so buyers carefully curate lists of their favorites that they are hoping to purchase. The special releases are in extremely limited quantity so many times people are disappointed and sadly re-sellers love to price gouge online after the event.
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All that said, I love participating every year. The thrill of the hunt is part of it, but stores also treat it like a party with live bands, giveaways and other fun activities.
The first year I went to a record store in Ohio (where I lived at the time) that no longer exists called Indie Wax. I bought the R.E.M. “Supernatural Superserious” single. I have attended Record Store Day every year since then in a variety of cities and many stores.
With all that background, this week’s pick is going to be a little different. I’m going to highlight a few of my favorite record stores (who are all participating in Record Store Day) along with listing a few special releases I’m hoping to track down tommorow. We’ll be back to the regular PPP format next week.
Record Stores
Here are my top five record stores. Whenever I am in the locality of these shops I make sure to stop in, Record Store Day or not. I suggest you do the same!
Celebrated Summer Records - Baltimore, MD
Many people in Baltimore swear by The Sound Garden but they’re so huge and overwhelming most of the time. This is especially true on Record Store Day when people start lining up outside around Midnight on Saturday morning and the store doesn’t open until 9 am. Speaking from experience they have everything, but its not worth the hassle. I prefer smaller, more specialized shops which is where Celebrated Summer steps in. They specialize in Punk, Hardcore, Jazz, Soul and Indie Rock. Tony, the owner, is very knowledgeable and friendly. I love chatting with him about music especially obscure free jazz records from the 60s and 70s along with 80s thrash metal.
Stardust Records - Baltimore, MD
This is a brand new shop, situated above Brewers Cask, a craft brew bar. Steve, the owner, is like a walking encyclopedia of music and goes out of his way to help you find what you are looking for. He also DJs and organizes the entertainment in Brewers Cask most evenings. They have been only open (by what Steve calls a “soft launch”) since January but tomorrow for Record Store Day they are having their grand opening.
Dusty Groove Records - Chicago, IL
An absolutely incredible shop that specializes in jazz, funk and hip hop and even have their own record label! There are constantly new and used vinyl coming into the shop so every time I visit it is a completely new experience. Their website is also excellent with tons of descriptions and reviews of everything they have in stock, plus they ship! They even have a “pick up window” if you order online and don’t want to come inside and get distracted and buy other records. This shop is the MUST VISIT for me every time I visit Chicago.
Bucket O’ Blood Records - Chicago, IL
Another excellent shop in Chicago, this one focusing on metal and punk rock. They also have a large selection of books, mostly horror and science fiction. The outside of the shop is wild to see too, with a large mural out front…you can’t miss it!
Armageddon Shop, Cambridge, MA
Conveniently located just steps from Harvard Yard, this is a shop I always visit when I come to town for work. They sell mostly Hardcore, Punk, Noise, Metal and Indie Rock but they also stock some weird jazz and classic rock records from time to time as well.
Record Store Day Releases
Here are the top five records I’m hoping to scoop up tomorrow. I’ll likely be stopping into both Celebrated Summer Records and Stardust Records along with Protean Books & Music, Normal’s Books & Music and…if I have to even The Sound Garden.
Frank Zappa - Zappa For President
Obviously a Frank Zappa record tops my list. Most years there are Zappa releases exclusively for Record Store Day (I’ve collected them all, natch!) and this year is no exception. This will be pressed on Red, White and Blue vinyl (very patriotic!) and focuses mostly on Zappa’s synclavier compositions. “Overture to Uncle Sam” is especially great and I look forward to cranking up this record.
Captain Beefheart - The Spotlight Kid (Deluxe Edition)
One of my favorite Captain Beefheart albums featuring one of his strongest Magic Bands (Drumbo, Zoot Horn Rollo, Rocket Morton, Ed Marimba). The deluxe edition has ten demos and outtakes that are not available elsewhere!
The Bottle Rockets - The Brooklyn Side (30th Anniversary)
I’ve been a fan of this record for 30 years. It’s one of my favorite alt-country albums by one of my favorite alt-country bands. Along with the original material, which includes some of Brian Henneman’s strongest songs like “Radar Gun”, “1000 Dollar Car” and “I Wanna Come Home” there are also 6 unreleased bonus tracks including an early version of the classic “Indianapolis”.
Sun Ra - At The Showcase: Live In Chicago 1976-1977
A newly unearthed set of recordings on 2 LPs of Sun Ra and his Arkestra in the mid 70s performed at Joe Segal’s Jazz Showcase in Chicago? TAKE MY MONEY!
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult - Kooler Than Jesus
A re-release of the 1989 industrial classic EP that has been a white whale of mine for many years. My search hopefully gets a lot easier thanks to Wax Trax finally repressing it. It even includes “A Girl Doesn’t Get Killed By A Make-Believe Lover… ’Cuz It’s Hot”, and “A Daisy Chain 4 Satan” as bonus tracks. Woot.
