National Record Store Day

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http://www.laweekly.com/2009-04-16/music/celebrating-national-record-store-day-employees-at-the-houses-of-the-holy/

National Record Store Day is April 18, and its stated goal is not only to bring to light the glorious nature of the brick-and-mortar retail experience but also to illustrate why neighborhood record stores’ vitality is good for the community — and one of the last, best refuges from the doldrums of corporate sonic homogeny. Even Coachella, which celebrates the live-music experience, is honoring its recorded-music allies; its on-site shop is being operated in conjunction with National Record Store Day

Bee OK, Saturday, 18 April 2009 02:59 (fourteen years ago) link

sorry if this has been posted elsewhere as i couldn't find it.

i'm going to do my best to get Amoeba tomorrow!

Bee OK, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:05 (fourteen years ago) link

*taken from somewhere else but i think it is true:

So official Record Store Day is Saturday April 18 and there are some really cool releases coming out for it:

Akron/Family "Everyone is Guilty" 7" first single from new album; unreleased b-side
Arthur Russell "Love Is Taking Me" 2LP 2LP (RSD exclusive)
Bad Religion Original EP 7" reissue colored vinyl; 6 tracks from 1981
Ben Harper 10" "Shimmer and Shine"/"Spanish Red Wine" B-side, "Spanish Red Wine" is unreleased
Black Kids Wizard of Ahhhs 10" first time on physical format
Black Moth Super Rainbow Born on a Day 7" Two tracks from the forthcoming studio recorded album, Eating Us
Blitzen Trapper "War is Placebo/Booksmart" 7" - two exclusive tracks w/die cut sleeve
Bob Dylan 7"--"Dreaming of You"/"Down Along the Cove" tracks recorded live at Bonnaroo; packaged in clear sleeve with 3x5 photo
Booker T "Warped Sister/Reunion Time" 7" 7"
Brandi Carlile 7" single "Downpour"/"A Promise To Keep" “Downpour” is the live track recorded in Boston
Bruce Springsteen 7" "What Love Can Do"/"A Night With The Jersey Devil" packaged in clear sleeve with 3x5 photo
Camera Obscura "French Navy" 7" 7" (RSD exclusive)
Cold War Kids Live at Fingerprints Live at Fingerprints 5 song EP
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Deja Vu Live 2LP Companion vinyl to the DVD
Cursive/Ladyfinger Split 10" picture disc four songs, two unreleased and two new
Dandy Warhols Remix CD #2
Death Cab For Cutie T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
Dead Weather Hang You From the Heavens 7" Jack White's new band! The debut release from both the Dead Weather and Third Man Records
Def Jam 25: Volume 1 and 2 4 LP gatefold history of Def Jam, only physical version of this piece is for indies 4 LP gatefold history of Def Jam, only physical version of this piece is for indies
Depeche Mode 7" "Wrong"/"Oh Well" 7"
Derek Trucks Already Live EP five previously unreleased live tracks from the 2008 tour
Dr. Dog/Floating Action Split 7" 7" - exclusive
El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez “Cryptomnesia” Limited Edition Vinyl for RSD (3,000 pieces)
Elvis Costello* "Complicated Shadows"/"Dirty Rotten Shame" picture disc "Dirty Rotten Shame" is exclusive track--previously unreleased
Elvis Perkins "Lorraine Lookout" 7" two tracks, one unreleased
Flaming Lips/Black Keys split 7" "Borderline"/"Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles" 7" Borderline/Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles
Flight of the Conchords "Pencils In The Wind"/"Albi The" 7" - two exclusive tracks w/die cut sleeve
Gaslight Anthem Live from Park Ave 10" Live from Park Ave 10" - 6 tracks
Grateful Dead T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
Grizzly Bears Live on KCRW 7" two tracks, "While You Wait For The Others"/"He Hit Me"
Gomez Airstream Driver 7" non-album b side
Guided By Voices Hold On Hope LP Three bonus tracks
Heaven & Hell 7" "Bible Black" / Neon Knights (Live) Created exclusively for Record Store Day
Iron and Wine Norfolk 6-20-05 Live 18 track CD recorded on the Woman King tour
Jane's Addiction 7" "Mountain Song" / "Standing in the Shower…Thinking" 7" Mtn. Song/Standing In The Shower- Packaged in original replica picture sleeve
Jason Mraz T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
Jenny Lewis/Elvis Costello 7" --"Carpet Baggers"/"Go Away" Never before available in the US
Jesus Lizard 9 x 7" pack A pack of nine 7"s
Leonard Cohen 7" "The Future/"Suzanne" tracks recorded live in London, packaged in clear sleeve with 3x5 photo
Loney Dear/Andrew Bird 7" split 7" 7" - hand-silk screened covers; tour & mail order item
Lykke Li/El Perro Del Mar 7" "After Laughter (Comes Tears)" / "At Your Best (You are Love)" Made exclusively for Record Store Day featuring two unreleased cover songs.
Magnolia Electric Co, "It's Made Me Cry" 7" Jason Molina's first 7" in years
Mastodon T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
MC 5 7" "Kick Out The Jams"/"Motor City Is Burning" Packaged in the original rare picture sleeve, first time available since 1969
Metric "Help I'm Alive" 7" Picture disc "Help I'm Alive"/"Help I'm A B-Side"
Misfits Walk Among Us LP Pressed on 140 gram vinyl
Modest Mouse* 7" --"Satelite Skin"/"Guilty Cocker Spaniels" both tracks are brand new
My Morning Jacket - Celebración De La Ciudad Natal Celebracion De La Ciudad Natal CD & 2 x 10" Vinyl - 4-14 Street, Vinyl one time shot. Recorded LIVE in LOUISVILLE (at Ear X-tacy, and Waterfront Park), includes classic tracks and selections from the band's most recent GRAMMY nominated album EVIL URGES. PLEASE NOTE: double 10 inch will be a limited edition, ONE TIME pressing - We shall manufacture only what is ordered. Once it’s gone, it’s gone folks.
New Order 7" (live) "Temptation" / "Hurt" - as and A&B side.
Neil Young Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbury House 1968 2LP The special vinyl package
Oasis Falling Down Remix LP Falling Down Remix LP
Obits "I Can't Lose/Military Madness" 7" 7" - two exclusive tracks w/die cut sleeve
Paramore T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
Pavement "Live in Germany 1988" LP unreleased show from 1988
Poison The Well Six track CD 6 track CD, taken from 2 7" singles that the band sells on the road, and an upcoming 7" single that will be out later this spring
Pretenders "Break Up The Pavement"/Love's…" 7" 7" - one unrelased track, and track from new album on red vinyl
Queen EP Queen's First EP Limited Edition, Numbered CD for the first time in the US
Radiohead 10" vinyl series (see list of titles in NOTES) THESE ARE BEING RELEASED EARLY FOR RSD: Drill, Creep, My Iron Lung, High & Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, Street Spirit, Paranoid Android, Karma Police, No Surprises, Pyramid Song, 2+2=5
Regina Spektor Begin to Hope LP with two tracks never before available on CD or vinyl
Rivers Cuomo Live @ Fingerprints CD and CD/DVD Combo Live @ Fingerprints CD and CD/DVD Combo
Russian Circles/These Arms Are Snakes Split !2 Previously Unreleased songs on Clear Vinyl (1,000 pieces)
Silversun Pickups Pikul 12" exclusive release ahead of their new album
Slayer 7" single "Psychopathy Red" packaged in special X-Files-style, "confidential" packaging
Sonic Youth/Beck split 7" split 7" (RSD exclusive)
Sonic Youth/Jay Reatard split 7" split 7" (RSD exclusive)
Sublime "Superstar Punani"/April 29, 1992" 7" 7" single with 2 live tracks, first time on vinyl
Taking Back Sunday 7" "Carpathia/Catholic" (live) 7" Carpathia/Catholic (live)
Talking Heads 77 LP (reissue) Pressed on 180 gram vinyl
The Color Fred The Intervention CD EP six acoustic tracks--four new
The Decemberists 7" "The Rake's Song"/"East India Lanes" B-side, "East India Lanes" is unreleased
The Smiths 7" "The Headmaster Ritual" /"Oscillate Widly" Never before available in the US as a 7" single.
The Stooges 7" "1969"/"Real Cool Time" Packaged in the original rare picture sleeve
Thermals/Thao Get Down Stay Down split 7" split 7" Get Down Stay Down (4 tracks unreleased)
Tift Merritt Buckingham Solo CD recorded live at a church; Tift solo with piano and guitar
Tom Waits "Live from the Glitterdome" 7" 7" - live tracks from Atlanta & Edinburgh
Underoath T-Shirt exclusive design for Record Store Day
Various Artists--THIS LP CRASHES HARD DRIVES Super deluxe gatefold LP (Limited to only 1,500 copies) with exclusive tracks from 10 of the finest crate digging labels out there! Includes a mix of sampler cd's, zines, catalogs, stickers, and posters, from all of these fine labels.
1) Los Destellos - “Guajira Sicodelica” (Vampi Soul)
2) P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble - “Bada Que Bash” (Now Again)
3) Group Doueh - “Waya Waya” (Sublime Frequencies)
4) Noor Jehan - “I Am Very Sorry” (Finders Keepers)
5) Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - “Marcus Garvey” (Honest Jon’s)
6) Pisces feat. Linda Bruner - “Sam” (Numero Group)
7) The Monks - “Pretty Suzanne” (Light In The Attic)
8) Myron & E with The Soul Investigators - “Cold Game” (Timmion)
9) John Heartsman & Circles - “Talking About My Baby” (Jazzman)
10) Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens - “What Is This” (Daptone)
Various artists Records Toreism LP tracks from Mountain Tortoise, Trans Am, White Hills, Double Dagger
Vetiver "Wishing Well"/"Pay No Mind" 7" 7" - two semi-exclusive non-album tracks w/diecut sleeve
Whiskeytown 7" single - San Atone b/w Great Divide (unreleased tracks) 7" single - San Atone b/w Great Divide (unreleased tracks)
Wilco Ashes of American Flags DVD DVD is released with an exclusive window of two weeks for indie stores and mail order
Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs It’s Blitz LP vinyl version of forthcoming Yeah Yeah Yeahs CD

Bee OK, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:09 (fourteen years ago) link

ok last post from me on this:

Here are are confirmed signings for the National Record Store Day Booth at Coachella....

Friday:
Ting Tings
The Airborne Toxic Event
NASA
Noah And The Whale
White Lies
Los Capesinos
Silversun Pickups
Dear and The Headlights
Junior Boys
Aggrolites
Franz Ferdinand
Steve Aoki
Cage The Elephant
Peanut Butter Wolf
Buraka Som Sistema

Saturday:
Atmosphere
Booker T
Bob Mould
James Morrison
Amanda Palmer
Mastodon
Glas Vegas
Junior Boys
Blitzen Trapper
Zizek Club
Ida Maria
Electric Touch
Superchunk

Sunday:
The Knux
Late of The Pier
The Kills
Peter Bjorn And John
The Mexican Inst. Of Sound
Knan
Friendly Fires
The Gaslight Anthem
No Age
Fucked Up
Clipse

Bee OK, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:14 (fourteen years ago) link

this whole "event" is a crock. EVERY DAY is record store day.

pipecock, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:17 (fourteen years ago) link

Tomorrow at work we're gonna have a BBQ, give people 10% off, and free $0.50 records with purchase of other merchandise. also, we will have maybe just a few of the record store day exclusives--the matador & daptone jams, as well as the jesus lizard singles set.

ian, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:24 (fourteen years ago) link

what is the deal with these exclusives, are they really only available tomorrow?

sleeve, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:37 (fourteen years ago) link

i think they're available tomorrow and if they don't sell out will be available for a few days until they disappear? i don't think we're expected to return items that don't sell during the "event" tomorrow.

ian, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:41 (fourteen years ago) link

hmmm, thanks. I better go check that out. Monday is usually my record store day.

sleeve, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:42 (fourteen years ago) link

Are you going to have them in a special area of the store or will The Stooges, say, be thrown in with the rest of "S?"

Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:45 (fourteen years ago) link

Also, I heard that the New Order one won't be ready for tomorrow. True?

Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:45 (fourteen years ago) link

well, we didn't get everyhing that's available for the event--so i dont know abt the New Order release.

we'll have the few things we have displayed by the counter. we got a bunch of phone calls today looking for the springsteen release, but we will not have it :(

ian, Saturday, 18 April 2009 03:55 (fourteen years ago) link

"free $0.50 records"

Wait which are they?

Alex in SF, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:05 (fourteen years ago) link

we have the New Order along with a couple other of these. we're technically celebrating it, but all it's gonna do is piss me off that these people need an excuse to go look at records.

pipecock, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:06 (fourteen years ago) link

records that would normally be 50c become free for the day. xp

pipecock, try to control your rage.

ian, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:14 (fourteen years ago) link

I can't imagine why people wouldn't want to hang around pipecock.

Alex in SF, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:26 (fourteen years ago) link

i try to be helpful and nice to people in the store :P

pipecock, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:29 (fourteen years ago) link

Well I'm glad your able to hide your contempt in front of them.

Alex in SF, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:31 (fourteen years ago) link

we talk shit quietly tho

pipecock, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:33 (fourteen years ago) link

I imagine your neckbeards muffle a lot of the snider remarks.

Alex in SF, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:45 (fourteen years ago) link

all 7 of them. the neckbeards that is.

pipecock, Saturday, 18 April 2009 04:54 (fourteen years ago) link

I was planning to go to Sound Exchange in Houston, even though Cactus made it into the paper for the promotion.

I will buy a 45 or a 2dollar bin record and let them know they should be grateful for my contribution.

Or maybe I will spend 80 bucks on some cool shit.

I might do both.

I need one of my turntables fixed, and they do that.

Later on, after the fights are over, I will go on the other board I post and harass my friends to get off their ass.

also, Houston, library sale this weekend.

james k polk, Saturday, 18 April 2009 05:00 (fourteen years ago) link

If you want any of this stuff, go NOW! I got to Waterloo Records two minutes before it opened and the line just started to wind around the building. Dude in front of me bought two of the Springsteen single. A gal walking by was carrying about ten (10!!) copies of THIS LP CRASHES HARD DRIVES. And so on. Still, I managed to get everything I wanted and then some (from three different stores):

Blitzen Trapper "War is Placebo/Booksmart" 7"
Slayer 7" single "Psychopathy Red" packaged in special X-Files-style, "confidential" packaging
Sonic Youth/Beck split 7" split 7" (RSD exclusive)
Sonic Youth/Jay Reatard split 7" split 7" (RSD exclusive)
Various Artists--THIS LP CRASHES HARD DRIVES
Various artists Records Toreism

Plus I got a mystery box of singles for $4.99 (20% cuz of NRSD), the new Marianne Faithfull, and Spellman's Four Lives in the Bebop Business.

The Neil Young and CSNY records are $65 a piece!!

Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 18 April 2009 16:41 (fourteen years ago) link

(20% cuz of NRSD)

20% OFF...most;y crap and w/o sleeves but purchased in the spirit of the occasion.

Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 18 April 2009 16:44 (fourteen years ago) link

I got the two SY 7"s which I basically assumed would be impossible to find even tho I asked for them in advance - so pretty pleased tbf

National Lampoon's Minimal House (DJ Mencap), Saturday, 18 April 2009 17:10 (fourteen years ago) link

I decided not to bother with Record Store Day. I buy loads of records, in record stores, so I am not part of the problem.

The Real Dirty Vicar, Saturday, 18 April 2009 17:27 (fourteen years ago) link

I went into Rounder and Resident and Borderline in Brighton, but they were mostly oppressively full so I had to extricate myself. Also I had no money to spend. But yeah, good to see some interesting in-store stuff going on and people being reminded to use or lose.

Mister Craig, Saturday, 18 April 2009 17:30 (fourteen years ago) link

I buy loads of records in thrift stores and garage sales, so maybe I am part of the problem. Usually they are way cheaper and more interesting in those places. But I'm still not partaking in this event today. Maybe that makes me lame. Independent stores deserve to survive, and I hope setting aside a special day for them pulls lots of young kids into the habit -- especially kids pointlessly addicted to getting music the day it comes out, a habit that has never made any sense to me. But braving the crowds seems silly. And I've never been somebody to buy records just because they're rare -- especially when they're created for the sole purpose of their rarity. Seems artificial to me somehow, and none of the records above strike me as all that inticing. (I thought something similar when baseball card companies got self-conscious about their collectibility, and it bugged me then, too. Not that it's especially anything new with record labels -- see also: SubPop Singles Club or whatever.) Anyway, more power to the stores -- whatever pulls in customers. I hope they all make tons of money. A friend of mine who runs a store in Philly said Record Store Day last year was his best day in years, and I hope this year he doesn't even better.

xhuxk, Saturday, 18 April 2009 17:56 (fourteen years ago) link

Just out of curiosity, though, what kind of exorbidant prices are those exclusive sucker-bait 7"s above going for?

xhuxk, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:10 (fourteen years ago) link

I picked up the New Order and Stooges for $7.99 each, and the Camera Obscura for $6.99. This at Mad Platter in Riverside, CA.

naus, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:47 (fourteen years ago) link

Shit, they had the New Order? I just called Sonic Boom and Easy Street and neither of them have the New Order.

brotherlovesdub, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:49 (fourteen years ago) link

They must have had >10 there. I picked up the only Camera Obscura, tho.

naus, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:51 (fourteen years ago) link

yeah nobody here in Eugene has the New Order, they heard it was delayed.

I got both Sonic Youth singles for $5 each, the Def Jam 4LP for $15 (!!!), and then I also picked up a Kurt Vile LP on Mexican Summer since it was on sale. 12 bucks!

also got the Dengue Fever/Chicha Libre split single, 5 bucks as well.

if any kind soul wants to pick me up a copy of This LP Crashes Hard Drives I will reimburse you and sing your praises. Neither of my local stores had it.

sleeve, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:52 (fourteen years ago) link

Just saw the tracklisting for the Def Jam set, I may have to go back for it!

naus, Saturday, 18 April 2009 18:55 (fourteen years ago) link

I got that big Black Sabbath box set for 35 bucks today at Newbury Comics in Cambridge...

henry s, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:03 (fourteen years ago) link

^ which Newbury Comics? the Fresh Pond one's vinyl selection is pitiful. nothing for me to buy.

nerve_pylon, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:08 (fourteen years ago) link

had a good time! my "home base" store Roadrunner was grilling out in back and had coolers of beer....couple hot dogs were great!

i didn't really go in for any of the crazy exclusive shit, most of that was already sold out anyway.

i did get the Arthur Russel "Love Is Overtaking Me" vinyl but I wanted that anyway. Didn't see the Def Jam thing or would have gotten that...The Sonic Youth/Reatard single is going to be crazy Ebay bait, so many dudes looking for that.

but I got some great used vinyl, good day:

Leo Koettke - 6 and 12 String Guitar (orig on Takoma)

Rod Stewart - The Rod Stewart Album

The Groundhogs - Who Will Save The World? (gatefold)

Gaunt - I Can See Your Mom From Here (only a buck!)

John Kongos - Kongos

4,000 hoes in blackburn, lancashire (M@tt He1ges0n), Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:13 (fourteen years ago) link

on sale. 12 bucks!

Wow. I'm speechless.

xhuxk, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:15 (fourteen years ago) link

(also the stores i went to were PACKED and everyone was having a lot of fun so i guess this day has worked out pretty well for them)

4,000 hoes in blackburn, lancashire (M@tt He1ges0n), Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:24 (fourteen years ago) link

xxxpost Harvard Square

henry s, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:27 (fourteen years ago) link

which was also packed, lots of vinyl flying off the shelves...

henry s, Saturday, 18 April 2009 19:28 (fourteen years ago) link

Some kids are losing their vinyl cherries today..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3453389766_caf408f709.jpg

Mister Craig, Saturday, 18 April 2009 20:57 (fourteen years ago) link

I buy loads of records in thrift stores and garage sales, so maybe I am part of the problem. Usually they are way cheaper and more interesting in those places.

Yeah...kinda my problem too. Looking at the list up there, and, Arthur Russell apart there's not a whole lot i would want - it's all very white and young. Thing is, I'd bet it's guys like me that spend most on records now - middle aged, not all that interested in new stuff necessarily. What killed going to record stores for me was the CD - I just never got that excited about buying them, so when Vinyl started appearing in quantities in charity shops, and then on the 'bay, that's where my purchasing went.

sonofstan, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:17 (fourteen years ago) link

Wow. I'm speechless.

it's $31 on eBay right now with 4 hours left, so I'd say that's a good deal. Enjoy your dollar records.

sleeve, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:31 (fourteen years ago) link

We had a really really great day at the shop I work at - loads of bands and artists playing all afternoon, loads of interest generated by the day itself and by the exclusive releases, most of which sold well. It was a wonderful party atmosphere and majorly busy all day long. Great fun and inspiring for our continued survival.

krakow, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:33 (fourteen years ago) link

"Wow. I'm speechless."

Wow you are a dick.

Alex in SF, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:35 (fourteen years ago) link

Oh yeah, our 7''s were/are £3.99 for the most part.

krakow, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:47 (fourteen years ago) link

did you get the jesus lizard thing in, alex?

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:48 (fourteen years ago) link

Not yet. A bunch of things were delayed shipping so won't be with us until Monday (SY 7''s in particular). Not sure how many we'll get though, will have to wait and see...

krakow, Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:49 (fourteen years ago) link

if you do get the jesus lizard Inch in can you keep me one and PM me over on DFFD and i'll come in and get it?

pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Saturday, 18 April 2009 21:53 (fourteen years ago) link

I bought a Massaman Sani LP new and it was too warped to play... have read about people contacting labels directly for a replacement but I kind of feel bad about doing that for some reason, like the profit margins have got to be low as it is idk. I don’t have my receipt anyway.

brimstead, Monday, 4 May 2020 04:28 (three years ago) link

xxp yeah because "Mega Online Retailers" stock so much of what I buy, (eyeroll)

epicenter of the fieri universe (sleeve), Monday, 4 May 2020 14:03 (three years ago) link


I don't see the benefit in having something pressed in a quantity of 300 if 2,000 people want to buy it. How does that help record stores?

golly, it's almost like it never was supposed to help the stores.

it's been about labels manufacturing "collectables" since day one. some places were able to spin it into a good day, but even the ones that don't have the means to do in-stores or other promotions have still come to rely on it financially.

it's one of the worst things that's happened to physical media in the past twenty years.

Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Monday, 4 May 2020 17:19 (three years ago) link

How does that help record stores?

The record stores can mark it up A Lot.

turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Monday, 4 May 2020 17:32 (three years ago) link

it helps record stores by increasing traffic and sales, people who come in to buy something rare that's not there will probably buy something else on RSD, or used records in addition

there's a lot of a galaxy brain thinking going into the premise that having a store packed with people spending lots of money is actually bad for a store

I'm glad stores are surviving thanks to RSD, but I hate so much that it turned into solely being about THE LIST and the scramble for gimmicky records with forced exclusivity.

I liked it much better when the idea was just a day to celebrate the "idea" of record stores - food, in-store performances or DJs, sales, etc. Maybe a few special things, but more like free comic book day where it's just massively pressed quantities of a 7" or two so that everyone who steps foot in the door gets one. Not this bullshit, "hey we know 40 of you have expressed interest in this exclusive red splatter ELO 7" so we asked for 45 copies, but we only got two so, uh, good luck" thing that's happening. I don't blame the stores for this at all, but the whole thing is so antithetical to what I love about record stores.

soaring skrrrtpeggios (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 May 2020 17:44 (three years ago) link

I mean, it should have been a big red flag years ago when every single record store's social media feed was filled with variations of "hey, just so you know we got nowhere near as many copies of the RSD exclusives as we requested, so prepare to be disappointed". Instead we just keep repeating the same thing year after year after year.

soaring skrrrtpeggios (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 May 2020 17:47 (three years ago) link

Limited quantities of select items incentivize people actually go instead of put it off until they decide not to care. "FOMO" is a big motivator to drive sales, a percentage of which might not even happen at all without that factor.

Evan, Monday, 4 May 2020 17:54 (three years ago) link

Whatever problems I have with RSD, I've always been fine with the prices/scarcity/clusterfuck aspect of it. It's Record Store Day, not Record Store Customer Appreciation Day - the whole point is to get as much money as possible out of peoples wallets and into the cash registers of record stores, not to equitably distribute desirable records to music fans.

turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Monday, 4 May 2020 18:12 (three years ago) link

Where I work, we put a lot of money into RSD usually but it is a total risk as others have said. Before the lockdown, I was still putting previous releases from the last few years in our clearance section. There's always some titles we don't get enough of and some we somehow manage to get just right. The latter is very rare. The mark ups on these records (and for all new records in general) are really terrible. We mainly stick to the suggested prices and often we're lucky to make roughly $5 profit on these exclusives. Maybe more like $10-15 on some bigger items. It is true that we have no idea what we're going to get for sure until the week before. There's always some that we really went overboard on (anyone still need one of those Nas Stillmatic reissues from Black Friday or the Sugar Ray reissue?)

We've done very well on the day just because people want to come out and support our store. There will be people waiting in line for half an hour picking up new copies of Radiohead albums they can buy any time. We sell a lot of used records too. Lots of people telling us they've been waiting for a special occasion to pick up something a bit more rare/expensive. I was very skeptical about RSD (and still am in some ways), but it really changed things working there and seeing all the people (all our regulars and more) coming in to just pick up anything they could. The build up is stressful, but it really is a nice experience.

kitchen person, Monday, 4 May 2020 18:17 (three years ago) link

Maybe it's changed, but the first two or three years I checked out RSD at a shop near me (that sadly no longer exists) you couldn't even buy or browse the non-RSD stock. You waited in line at the door, then they let folks in two by two, to ask for the exclusives they wanted. You were then rung up and guided right back out the door, you weren't even allowed to browse the "regular" stock.

soaring skrrrtpeggios (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 May 2020 18:23 (three years ago) link

The long game is to build loyalty, so stores should focus on using the day to encourage people to come back for regular shopping visits. It's pretty short sighted to not make the most out of it beyond the exclusives and single day traffic however possible.

Evan, Monday, 4 May 2020 18:27 (three years ago) link

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to begrudge the stores one bit for whatever helps them survive. If RSD, in its current formulation, does it - great. I won't begrudge anyone that enjoys it either.

But I do find it... interesting (for lack of a better word) that a special holiday created specifically to celebrate one of my favorite hobbies ever has evolved into something where it is the one specific day I actively avoid record shopping. And I know I'm not the only one that feels that way. I feel like it should be called Record Store Exclusive Vinyl Day or something else instead.

soaring skrrrtpeggios (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 May 2020 18:37 (three years ago) link

tbh I also avoid the stores that day, or if I go its usually shortly before closing to browse the leftovers & survey the damage. But I always figure its not really aimed at people like me who typically go once a week and spend regularly, we dont really need an incentive to go spend money at our local record store, but moreso for Earnest New Vinyl Enthusiasts and people who might otherwise only go at christmas or soemthing.

turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Monday, 4 May 2020 19:24 (three years ago) link

I've never been on RSD - I have a young daughter and would rather spend the weekend with my family, and wouldn't relish the chaos anyway. But every year there are a couple of releases among the novelty tchotkes that I lust after. I read there was supposed to be a reissue of GBV's Vampire On Titus or Propellor this year, which definitely caught my interest.

Pinche Cumbion Bien Loco (stevie), Monday, 4 May 2020 20:50 (three years ago) link

one year passes...

June 12 & July 17 this year - anything exciting coming up?

StanM, Saturday, 12 June 2021 08:21 (two years ago) link

Want the Blackbeard I Wah Dub reissue, and also the Timmy Taylor/Brainiac rarities/demos things, but I won't be going to any record shops today, so...

burnt hombre (stevie), Saturday, 12 June 2021 08:49 (two years ago) link

I got the Linton Kwesi Johnson, Half Japanese, Poly Styrene and the two Burt Jansch records.

a hallan shaker loon (dowd), Saturday, 12 June 2021 09:41 (two years ago) link

I ventured out on RSD for the first time ever to get that L7 'Beauty Process' vinyl pressing. In the end, I probably didn't need to. There are 3000 of them and most stores/resellers aren't really gouging yet, but at least I got some fresh air.

Johnny Fever, Saturday, 12 June 2021 21:34 (two years ago) link

got the negative space reissue... really want the hawkwind greasy trucker party live thing coming out in July

brimstead, Saturday, 12 June 2021 22:30 (two years ago) link

I picked up Donny Hathaway Live and the Brainiac Attic Tapes unreleased comp

Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Saturday, 12 June 2021 22:40 (two years ago) link

The store I went to had almost no crowd and their RSD stuff was not as insanely marked up as I’ve come to expect, don’t know what was going on but I like it. I had a stack of 3 or 4 things, but I kept finding stuff I was more excited about in the used bins and putting RSD stuff back. Ended up getting the Flaming Lips Soft Bulletin thing.

nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Saturday, 12 June 2021 23:23 (two years ago) link

I just found out that the one record store near me isn’t participating this year; I’m getting a little uptight trying to figure out how I’m going to get a hold of The Sisters of Mercy’s BBC Sessions.

early rejecter, Saturday, 12 June 2021 23:25 (two years ago) link

I've never seen stores marking stuff up over MSRP they are definitely not supposed to

Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Saturday, 12 June 2021 23:51 (two years ago) link

The stores I used to go to the RSD prices were eye-popping, I always just assumed they marked up as high as they thought could get away with

nobody like my rap (One Eye Open), Sunday, 13 June 2021 00:32 (two years ago) link

got a few more things

toots - funky Kingston
Tom petty - angel dream
groundhogs - who will save
Donnie Hathaway - live

would’ve liked to grab the Tommy Bolin but it was like 40 bucks. Haven’t even heard it actually.

brimstead, Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:10 (two years ago) link

also kinda intrigued by the tangerine dream live thing

brimstead, Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:12 (two years ago) link

I went to a WFMU sidewalk sale instead of RSD...

I got:

- EEC Punk Rock Mountain: A Sarah Bootleg
- Joan Shelley - Over And Even
- M. Geddes Gengras - Test Leads
- Hüsker Dü - Candy Apple Grey
- Uncle Wiggly - Non-Stuff
- Grenadine - Goya
- Jack Rose - S/T

Evan, Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:24 (two years ago) link

xposts: the Sisters of Mercy BBC Sessions is out on the second RSD date, July 17th (e.g. https://mainstvinyl.com/UPC/190295154455 )

StanM, Sunday, 13 June 2021 02:45 (two years ago) link

Yeah they’re not participating in that one either unfortunately. Wonder what my chances would be at Newbury Comics in the big mall by me.

early rejecter, Sunday, 13 June 2021 18:33 (two years ago) link

Worth a shot, I know Newbury participates.

Johnny Fever, Sunday, 13 June 2021 18:47 (two years ago) link

if a store is pricing things above MSRP on RSD, then they are breaking the rules and are lucky they haven't gotten cut off. but sometimes thins are just overpriced. the Wire 10" thing was $100, which is just too much. There wasn't anything else I was hoping to get, but next drop I do want the Marvin Gaye What's Going ON Detroit Mix; but even that is listing at $70.

akm, Sunday, 13 June 2021 22:16 (two years ago) link

was bummed when william tyler announced that last year's new vanitas would be an rsd only physical release, but easily found one for less than $20 on discogs. it's the the only rsd release i've cared about since wt's last rsd-only release (the reissue of the paper hats lp).

akm i know it's not as "cool," but if you just want to have a copy, the what's going on 2cd deluxe edition from several years back has the detroit mix included.

things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Sunday, 13 June 2021 22:52 (two years ago) link

Seems like at least 75% of 'RSD EXCLUSIVES' are CD bonus tracks or box set bait pressed to vinyl.

blue whales on ambient (C. Grisso/McCain), Sunday, 13 June 2021 23:38 (two years ago) link

Like, I can imagine the killing Universal has made in the '10s pressing the extras from all those deluxe series titles from '00s to wax.

blue whales on ambient (C. Grisso/McCain), Sunday, 13 June 2021 23:41 (two years ago) link

so over this shit

sleeve, Monday, 14 June 2021 00:00 (two years ago) link

i know there was a japan-only vinyl issue of the dteroit mix some years back, but i'm not sure if it (or the forthcoming rsd pressing) was just like most contemporary vinyl pressings in that it's the digital mastering just bounced down to vinyl.

(which is always super disappointing)

things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Monday, 14 June 2021 01:46 (two years ago) link

sorry i bumbled around and meant to make the detroit mix a link to the discogs entry, but made it a typo instead. rectified, hopefully.

things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Monday, 14 June 2021 01:48 (two years ago) link

I thought the Dirty Three Ocean Songs with the ATP live set looked interesting, but it was apparently limited to 1,500 worldwide (reportedly only 400 copies in the US) and instantly became impossible to find. Discogs keeps giving me errors this morning, but yesterday I saw it going for over $300. Cool system guys.

a superficial sheeb of intelligence (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 14 June 2021 13:56 (two years ago) link

yeah that one was particularly frustrating, 1500 is way too low for that, especially given that nick cave plays on it

manufactured scarcity

Im sure that the detroit mix is a digital transfer, but whatever, I'll buy this anyway (and saw it confirmed on reddit that this just a repress of the japan release)

akm, Monday, 14 June 2021 20:24 (two years ago) link

Visited one store at noon Saturday after deciding I didn't care enough to camp out at 8 in the morning, and got the Wipers 2xLP reissue and Perfume Genius remix album. Made a second stop on Wednesday at another store and managed to find the Roast Fish Collie Weed & Cornbread and Having a Party With Jonathan Richman reissues. I'm also curious about the Tangerine Dream live disc and the Warpaint Weatherall mixes; the latter sold out pretty much everywhere I've checked, though, while the former was in such abundance that I let it slide until my next paycheck.

How is the sound/pressing quality on that Blackbeard reissue? Doing a little research on Discogs, it reads like it might be from the 2003 CD remaster...

You guys are caterpillar (Telephone thing), Wednesday, 16 June 2021 00:40 (two years ago) link

It may well be, but it sounds pretty sweet to me (and OG copies on Discogs have always been ££££)

burnt hombre (stevie), Wednesday, 16 June 2021 08:18 (two years ago) link

one month passes...

... and that Sisters Of Mercy sessions compilation is coming out on CD too - https://www.normanrecords.com/records/188373-the-sisters-of-mercy-bbc-sessions-19821984

StanM, Saturday, 24 July 2021 11:02 (two years ago) link

I did end up getting those Sisters BBC sessions on RSD (thanks to Clockwork Records in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY). The night before I checked out the Heartland forum to see if there was any chatter about it and was surprised to learn that the Kid Jensen session and one of the Peels had already been released digitally last year. Anyway glad to finally have a legit/good-sounding copy of these.

early rejecter, Wednesday, 4 August 2021 21:05 (two years ago) link

Errr, I guess all three had been released digitally, but the '82 session only in the UK.

early rejecter, Wednesday, 4 August 2021 22:03 (two years ago) link

six months pass...

good article, thanks

bad milk blood robot (sleeve), Friday, 18 February 2022 00:19 (two years ago) link

so much unnecessary shite on the list this year. it's really dregs time when the only thing i'm interested in is a Tangerine Dream reissue of a film i've not seen, and a Wipers reissue i won't buy because at last RSD the Wipers reissue was £35-ish and i have no reason to believe this one won't be too, so fuck that.

Hmmmmm (jamiesummerz), Friday, 18 February 2022 01:26 (two years ago) link

eleven months pass...

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