Date 20 April 2013
I've have been a massive music collector now for over 20 years and I probably, no definitely have more CD's and Vinyl than is healthy. I used to buy all my stuff from The Record Shop in Grantham. I had a great relationship with Barry the owner at the time, pre internet we used to go through the release lists from the likes of Pinnacle, Southern etc. He would highlight stuff he thought I would like gave me promo items and made sure I got stuff like this:
The UNKLE Psycence fiction survival kit with pop up sleeve, mini vinyl, loads of stickers etc, HMV would never help you out like that.
Anyway times change and the introduction of one stop shop supermarkets selling everything under one roof, Internet shops etc meant that people never used these small town local record shops to buy the latest singles or albums, which were the bread and butter for many of these local shops.
Sadly like many Independent record shops around the country The Record Shop closed down and I was stuck, I then used to go to Selectadisc in Nottingham but that went as well.
Being trapped in a small town with only Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys selling music I really have no choice anymore but to but online. Luckily places like Rough Trade and Banquet have great online services.
Anyway record store day...
This started back in 2007 to celebrate independent record stores and has gone from strength to strength, this year I decided to head to down to London for the second year running so I got on an early train from Lincolnshire and headed down to London.
I wanted to see Frank Turner at Rough Trade so I got down to the old truman brewery just after 09.30, Frank was on at 11 plenty of time...
This was the queue about 10mins after I arrived!
90mins later.... I could see the front door!
The people that annoy me are what I like to call queue jumping b*stards! I like many others had been standing in line for 90mins yet some people find it acceptable to just walk straight to the front speak to someone they haven't seen in about 5 years and worm their way into the queue! grrrrr get to the back and wait your turn like everyone else has. (disclaimer...The above photo does not contain queue jumping b*stards)
I made it in just in time to see Frank starting his set!!
I've been a massive Frank Turner since the days of Million Dead and it's always a pleasure to see him live.
The queues inside were as crazy inside as they were outside, I managed to pick some of the things I wanted including this by the legendary Husker Du!
In the chaos and for some unknown reason I also bought a copy of Franks new album even though I have the deluxe version on order from Banquet records, so I now have 2 copies!
I left Rough Trade for the next stage of my record store day journey, off to the vinyl factory!
I am a big fan of American Hardcore bands like Black Flag, Minor Threat, MDC and so on, as a result I wanted to check out the exhibition of 7" from 78-90 with sleeves from the above bands and the likes of Nation of Ulysses, Dead Kennedys etc.
I pretty sure their is some irony in the fact that and exhibition on American Hardcore and Punk bands is being held in the affluent area of South Kensington / Chelsea.
I picked up the rather pricey book with a 7" vinyl containing an interview with Black Flag from 1980.
Next stop Berwick street and Sister Ray records.
It can't just be me but everytime I walk through this area and down Wardour Street I can't help but sing The Jam song!
Berwick Street was heaving, a stage had been set up outside in the sunshine and I arrived just in time to see Steve Mason perform. Steve was in The Beta Band who in the late 90s released 3 absolutely stunning eps with some amazing tracks needles in my eyes is one of my favourite songs ever!
Infact it made the day even more special that I got to see Steve do Dry the rain live
If you haven't heard Dry the rain, it's a stonewall classic
The queue to get into sister ray records was still pretty epic even half way through the day, next up my second Frank Turner performance of the day!
After Franks set I was knackered after walking around and standing in line (no queue jumping here!) all day that it was off back to Lincolnshire for me.
A lot of people put an immense amount of hard work and organisation into record store day and music fans should be thankful for everything they do, record store day is one of the best days of the year to see how much others care for and believe in the work of independent record shops, labels and artists and long may it continue.
Infact next year I might overnight in London just so I can be part of those standing in line from 6am!
