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An afternoon of vinyl digging, after the break!
Record Store Day 2024 (04/20/24)
Can't think of the last time I made myself a part of the Record Store Day celebrations. I don't buy much Vinyl these days. It was a hobby that got far too expensive for my checkbook. You gotta make sacrifices when you're not making 100K a year living a dream. That contradicts the part of me that loves to support independent & small businesses regularly. Because that's what movements like Comic Book Day & Record Store Day are supposed to be about. Paying it forward. Felt like I haven't done much of that lately.
So with a small budget (provided by my fresh tax refund), I made my way around Los Angeles once more in search of some wax, jewel cases, and plenty of fun stories much like I did back in 2015.
Here was my day in a nutshell...
Location #1:Canterbury Records (Pasadena)
Don't remember the exact date but Canterbury Records in Pasadena has become my go-to Record Store Day location for years. Usually find everything I need without much issue, with little crowds, and I can arrive anytime I want. Making for a carefree experience normally with just a few extra minutes of driving. Gives me an excuse to have an extended carpool karaoke session too.
That wasn't the case this year as their RSD selection section was jam-packed! Almost all their 7-inch & CDs were purchased by the afternoon, but they did have a bunch of noteworthy vinyls that almost walked out with. Was really trying to be a smart shopper this time around so I ended up taking a few minutes to weigh my tough options. Ended up picking up these exclusives...
- 'Winter in America' by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Johnson (CD)
- 'Revolverlution Tour 2003' by Public Enemy (CD)
- 'Spawn The Album' by Various Artists (Vinyl)
While both Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Johnson and Public Enemy's RSD selections were available on Vinyl, I ended up picking up the CDs because of the price and space. Realized recently, as I reorganized my gigantic CD collection, that I love format more than wax. Maybe that's my nostalgia speaking. Probably? Or their price tag? Still, owning the disc rocks as it looks nice in my collection.
The same can be said for the Spawn Soundtrack. Can't wait to frame the vinyl and hang it on my office wall. Would never regret owning these hard-hitting Heavy Metal '90s anthems from an underrated movie soundtrack either. Owning high-end, obscure, movie soundtracks has always been my thing as a collector so I wouldn't pass up an opportunity. I'm just happy Canterbury had plenty of copies.
Location #2: Run Out Groove Records (Burbank)
Thought this was the end of my Record Store Day story as I walked out of Canterbury Records, but my addiction had been itched and I couldn't stop myself from obsessively scratching this day. "What if there was a Record Store Day shop on the way home?" Ended up using their store locator as I sat in the parking lot and found that there was one store in Burbank that might be cool to check out: Run Out Groove Records. A place that I don't remember being there when I covered Record Store Day back in 2015. A new shop, authorized by RSD, and just a few minutes out? Sounded like fun! So I made a quick detour.
Loved how quaint this record shop seemed to be as I pulled into the hidden parking lot, a few blocks away from the always-busy Porto's Bakery. As you can see from the picture above, they were fully prepared for the Record Store Day crowds with updated lists on the windows and a small tent full of music merch if you're looking for something more than vinyl or CDs this day. If I arrived before they opened... I might've gotten everything I wanted and more.
Happy Run Out Groove did all these extra things because their store was smaller than most. Felt like a giant in a toy house as I entered. Never like to feel like a burden when all I want to do is buy stuff. So I waited my turn, but all the good stuff had been grabbed before I arrived. They did have plenty of Pearl Jam. Still, nothing spoke to me from the crates.
The only other album, non-RSD, I was hunting for was Vampire Weekend's 'Only God Was Above Us' but Run Out Groove didn't have it. Was tempted to grab 'The Tortured Poets Department' as it seems like a great Vinyl listen after experiencing it on the freeway between all these record stops. Probably can get it from a Target store or Walmart for a cheaper price, right? Avoid the high price tag every time. Seeing Vinyl selections at big stores still feels weird. you know? Anyway!
So I sadly walked back to my car, empty-handed, thinking my Record Hunt was over for the day.
But it wasn't...
Location #3:
Grayskull Vinyl (Santa Clarita)
Was already piecing together this blurb as I drove back to the hometown (aka Karenville) and I kept thinking about the "rules of threes". Having two stores is nice, but three felt right.
Luckily I have been driving by my closest independent record shop - Grayskull Vinyl - for a few years now and never visited or supported them before. Always wanted to stop in. This seemed like the perfect time as they were having a nice sale going on to celebrate Record Store Day... despite not being a formal ambassador. Which sucks.
Now... I don't want to go on a big rant but I think RSD has lost its original point. The celebration shouldn't just be on the exclusive releases. It should be about small shops much like Comic Book Day continues to be. Every bouquet should be welcomed into the process moving forward. There are so many record shops in the Los Angeles area and only a handful were participating in the official event.
Why does it have to be the "Amoebas" and special gimmick vendors that get everything? Especially when a product doesn't move copies throughout the day. Might as well just provide these exclusives to Walmart, Target, or Amazon then because I saw so many online resellers going through their notes & phones while they hogged up the aisles this day. Made me extremely sad this is what Record Store Day has become, you know? Hopefully, I wasn't the only one feeling it.
That's why I was quite happy Grayskull Vinyl was my final stop because it was such a wonderful, small shop experience. The true heart of Record Store Day... not being represented when I read the headlines. Spent close to an hour just browsing their musical wares while interjecting my adventures for RSD to entertain the owner, his family, and friends. Loved their Vinyl & CD selections overall as I got drawn in by all the random movie soundtracks I kept finding. The more obscure the better!
Check out what I walked out with:
- 'Batman Soundtrack (1989)' by Prince (Vinyl)
- 'End of Days (Original Soundtrack)' by Various Artists (CD)
- 'Robocop - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' by Basil Poledouris (CD)
I wasn't kidding, right? The 'End of Days Soundtrack' was fully sealed too! Not sure what my obsession is but it got fed by this haul. The 'Batman 89' soundtrack is gonna be hung on the wall eventually. The cover is in amazing condition! I just love that these purchases all fit into my limited budget. Appreciate how much restraint I had because at one point I had stacks of CDs in my hands.
What I couldn't put a price tag on was what one of the shoppers said to me. He asked if I worked there. I replied "No". He explained that he never heard anyone make small "yeeps" over the albums in front of him and that I must really love music.
If he only knew. (Especially when buying CDs).
For that revelation alone, felt like my Record Store Day 2024 was a huge success! Added some really amazing projects that will fit wonderfully in this office library as well. Here's my total haul...
Hope to attend next year and add a few more record stores to my growing list of features. Might be cool to revisit some old 2015 favs too! It will be a decade since that original epic journey. Gotta start saving and planning now.
Thanks for reading this far! Back to our regular posting schedule for a bit...