Record Store Day and I have a love-hate relationship. I love RSD because there some really cool releases and it encourages people to visit their local record store. I hate RSD because they are some really cool limited releases and it encourages people who don't usually visit their local record store to flock in droves to buy said releases. Record Store Day is a great idea in that it brings attention to local independently owned record stores. The aspect of the limited releases is something I definitely understand and appreciate; however, there is a black cloud that hangs over the excitement of the day. That black cloud is the shadow casts by those who buy these limited releases as collector's items that will never be opened or listened to. I just don't understand buying music to put it on a shelf. Records are meant to be played. Then there are those who buy releases to flip on eBay, discogs, etc. While frustrating, at least some of these flipped purchases will make into the hands of people who will actually open and listen to them.
I've been going to Records Store Day (and Record Store Black Friday, but that's another story... stay tuned to November) for four years now and have a great time visiting the stores I love, but I frequent them several times throughout the year. There are people there who only enter the walls of these stores on RSD. Boys and girls, record stores are kinda like church; you should go more than once a year. May I suggest once a month? Better yet, once a week. It doesn't have to be the same record store, but it is best if you choose independently owned. Chains lack soul, whereas your local mom and pop record shop contains the hopes, dreams, heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears of the people who run them. There is an atmosphere that you won't find at a big box retailer or mall chain.
Stop One: Trax on Wax
This year, as for the last several years, we started our day at Trax on Wax in Catonsville, Maryland. Gary Gebler is well known in the Baltimore area and had leadership positions with both Sam Goody and Record and Tape Traders. When he first started Trax on Wax people told him he was crazy, but his success has proved them wrong. With the exception of local artists CD releases, they are strictly a record store in the truest sense. Used records line the walls with new releases in the middle of the shop. Music paraphernalia is scattered throughout the store, so those who like buy t-shirts and posters have plenty of opportunity to do so. Trax also sells starter turntables, Spin Clean record cleaning systems, record frames, and vinyl storage options. The only thing that bothers me are the record bowls. It doesn't matter where I see them, so I don't blame Trax for carrying a popular decorative item. Definite pluses are the listening station and the fact they actually have a public restroom (hey, I'm a girl... we think about these things). The best part about Trax is the friendly atmosphere. Gary and Jeff the manager are welcoming and knowledgeable about the music they carry. Whether you stay for 30-minutes or three hours, you don't feel rushed and browsing is fully encouraged. Gary treats his regular customers like old friends and gets to know their tastes in music. Trax on Wax is about 25-minutes from my house, but I consider it my local record store. I love this place. You should check it out because I'm sure you would love it, too. Oh, and I should mention that Trax often gets in rare and collectible albums, Mobile Fidelity (MFSL/Mofi), quadraphonic, and imports. They also sell online via eBay and Discogs, but if you are local you can buy directly in the store.
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| This photo was taken several hours after opening. The store was packed. Customers of all ages were in attendance and there were even a few families. As always, we had a great time searching the stacks. |
More on The Manly Deeds
Three of the six members of the bluegrass band The Manly Deeds performed outside of Trax: two banjo players and a guitarists/kazoo player. Jacob Panic plays a mean clawhammer banjo. I also recommend checking out his solo album Pop-Grass (click here for a review). David and I stood outside and listened to them perform several songs. I went back inside to use the restroom, but ended up darting back outside when I heard them start Foggy Mountain Breakdown. For the non-bluegrass fan that might not mean a whole lot, but Foggy Mountain Breakdown is not an easy song to play and these guys killed it. Flatt and Scruggs would be proud. I can't wait to see the full band. The Manly Deeds have a few releases to their name and are currently running an Indiegogo campaign to help fund the release of their next album. The Perk Packages are pretty sweet, but it ends on April 26 so don't wait. I'm pretty excited about it myself as its a collection of old time music and folk songs. I LOVE this kind of music. After hearing just three members play for twenty minutes I'm a fan. That's saying something...Stop Two: The Sound Garden
We decided to go to The Sound Garden in Fells Point. I paid for two hours of parking thinking that I had allowed more than enough time, but we made it back to the car with minutes to spare. Most of that two hours was spent waiting in line. Sound Garden opened at 9am and we arrived around 3:30pm and there was still a very long line. We ended up grabbing some releases not available at Trax so it was worth the time. At 4pm Robert Trujillo of Metallica fame, his wife, and the sons of the late legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius were scheduled for a meet and greet. There was a second line running down the block for this event. David and I decided to forgo the meet and greet due to the long lines (although it was tempting to wait it out as Trujillo's wife designed the RSD poster and I'm a big Metallica fan).
The first two years that we spent Record Store Day Together David and I sat outside of Sound Garden for hours waiting for them to open. In 2012, there was one copy of the album that motivated me to sit outside all that time, but that year they decided to let ten people in at a time. The guy who was eight people behind me got that release just because he was taller. I literally ended up face planted on the record rack because he knocked me out of the way to get what I was already reaching for. Plus he stepped on my toes which were black and blue for weeks. I kept my irritation to myself until I got out in the car (poor David), but decided that no record was worth getting beat up over. Yes, I know that some of you think I'm being a whiny brat, but its hard to have something like that happen and not feel a little put out. The Sound Garden is still one of my favorite record stores and I can't blame them for the actions of a single customer, but I just can't justify waiting in line for hours anymore after that incident. More power to those who sit outside for hours. There is something to be said about the comradery in that line and the excitement of looking through the window at all the releases on the wall. The last few years we talked about waking up early, grabbing our stadium chairs, and camping out for hours, but then we talk ourselves out of it. To be honest, I kind of miss it.
A large bulk of Sound Garden's inventory is new and used CD, DVDs, and Blu-Rays. In the very front there is the new record room and just beyond the checkout counter there are racks of used vinyl. While the used record selection is on the small side, there is a quick turn around and a surprising number of newer releases show up in the bins. Today we saw a bunch of RSD releases from 2013. On a side note, one of the managers, Jimmy, has his own record label. Go check it out now: Friends Records. Every Friends Records release is available at The Sound Garden. Jimmy also is in charge of the used vinyl. Most releases over $10 are sealed with a grading label attached, but you can request a cashier to open them for your inspection. I have found them to be very accurate in assessing condition, but I'm one of those people who likes to verify which issue is in the case and look at the dead wax. Once I did find a later reissue in the case for the original pressing. Word of advice... if you aren't brave when it comes to crowds, avoid The Sound Garden after 7pm Thursday through Saturday, as there is a lot of foot traffic in Fells Point. If you are like me, that doesn't deter you and you go when the mood strikes.
Some Final Thoughts
I know what you are thinking. She's not done yet? Bare with me a little bit longer. I'm almost done. Promise.
I look forward to Record Store Day every year. Its like my birthday and Christmas rolled all into one. I'm a sucker for limited releases, colored vinyl, and bonus material. RSD has all of that and more. There is something exhilarating about getting a very limited and sought after release. My inner collector is pretty happy after today. Its not for everyone and it makes me crazy knowing that people buy these releases to just stick them on a shelf. For a music lover like me that's sacrilege. Music is meant to be enjoyed. I own some albums that are pretty rare and valuable, but if I'm in the mood to listen to them I listen to them.
If you haven't been to Record Store Day and love vinyl, I think you should go to at least one. Discover a new artist, hang around for an in-store performance, or just pick up a few of the freebies. Whatever you do, don't make a visit to your local record store a once a year event. Every year someone's favorite record store closes up shop. As with any business, record stores rely on a steady stream of customers to keep them open. The future is looking brighter considering that just this week an album by the band OFF! reached #67 on the Billboard Top 100 Albums chart and 51% of the sales were vinyl. Pretty amazing. Yet, this year more record stores will close. Record Store Day intends to bring attention to the small independent retailers to prevent these closures, but it only works if those customers come back over and over and over. So step away from eBay and Amazon and go to your local independent record store and spend some money. Any day can be record store day.
Our Loot
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| All the LPs and 12" we purchased. I'm particularly happy about the Gram Parsons. The Velvet Underground is neat looking and sounds pretty darn good. David's very happy we were able to get a copy of The Idle Race LP. |
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| The Crosley Peanuts Cruiser, 10", and 7" purchased. The mystery single was a pleasant surprise, but I'm not going to ruin for those who haven't opened theirs yet. |
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| The used records and 45s we purchased. We always have fun looking in the used bins and sometimes get carried away. |
Ok. I'm done. Yes. Really.
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