Buro 24/7, April 2017
Want to get your mitts on some sweet limited edition black gold drops this Record Store Day? Buro Culturemaker and vinyl fiend Noelle Faulkner tells you how
For dusty-fingered crate-diggers, it’s all about the thrill of the chase. There are high-highs, like when you stumble across an original Japanese first pressing of Iggy Pop’s The Idiot at a flea market, and then there are low-lows –taking home a sought-after classic to find it’s warped or scratched, the anguish of having to flick through so.many.copies.of.Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, or worse, a box of Paul McCartney’s god awful solo releases when all you wanted was an early edition of Revolver…
Collecting vinyl is an endurance sport. It involves persistence, boss-bitch decision-making skills, and a clear head. Because, if you’re not in the right headspace, the experience can be overwhelming, disappointing, stressfully competitive and very confusing – particularly when Record Store Day, the annual celebration of all things flat and grooved, comes around. So it helps to have a game plan.
For those not in-the-know, Record Store Day is a global event aimed at supporting independent record stores, the artists, the collectors and the cult of this analogue medium. The story goes, that the bar for RSD to-come was set the very first year, when Metallica famously hung out at Rasputin Music in San Francisco all day with fans and collectors. Then, Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal coined the title and named himself “Record Store Day Ambassador" in 2009, and every year since has seen another band or artist step into the role and help support the cause. This year, old mates Metallica take the honour and as such, are dropping Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica!, a live recording of their 2003 Bataclan concert, with all proceeds going to charity.
Fun facts aside, the reason Record Store Day is so important is it directly supports the industry, in the most grass roots way possible – by encouraging the public to buy music, , tangible, sit-down-and-listen music, direct from the people most passionate about it. Buyers can expect to find limited edition drops, ranging from killer 7” singles to live recordings, fresh presses of classics, new albums and white label B-sides, as well as in-store gigs and artist signings.
Here, I’ve rounded up some of the best drops to keep an eye out for and what you need to know if you’re starting a collection. But even if you’re not a vinyl pusher, at least consider getting involved, seeing a show, picking up some merch, or buying your Mum a CD (those count too).
Starting out: Record collecting 101
If you're only just beginning to build a collection, or you're thinking of using this weekend as a good excuse to start one, here's six things you need to know:
1. You will spend a lot of money (and not just on music)
Not only will the cost of vinyl (particularly reissues) get you, there's also no point if you don't have a good sound system and a high quality stylus. So factor that into your budget. If you have an addictive personality, I highly suggest taking a friend and adopting a safety word system. To be perfectly honest, the only reason I'm writing this story right now is because I went to Red Eye Records last weekend, blacked out and woke up broke, albeit richer in smugness - another benefit to collecting vinyl, you earn a licence to be conceited af.
2. Check the quality
It's easy to get caught up in the nostalgia of the cover, but don't trust that the record will always be in good condition. Always also check for scratches, warps and imperfections. A no brainer, really.
3. Investing? Know what to look for
Sure, there's a bajillion The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Blondie and Cream records out there, and by all means, go for it. But if you find an original pressing of Red Hot Chill Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Jeff Buckley's Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk, Massive Attack's Mezzanine or pretty much anything cult-y from the mid-90s to 00s, you hold on to that thing for dear life.
When CDs were at their peak, a lot of albums weren't released on vinyl, or if they were, in another country in a very low number. So they're the records that are actually going to appreciate in dollarydoos.
4. Buy something you've never heard of
Most stores will let you listen to your record pre-purchase, so don't be afraid to pick up something completely unknown and esoteric. Some of my favourite LPs are bizarre finds from the bargain bin.
5. Storage is important
Store your vinyls standing upright and never laying down, and far, far away from sunlight or heat. Doing the opposite almost guarantees warping.
6. Pack antihistamines
Trust me.
The best of the Record Store Day drops
Here’s where it gets intense. There is a crazy amount of releases dropping just for Record Store Day, lots of psych, some old releases and lots of new ones, and there’s some really fun stuff in there as well.
For example, there’s a 7” press of the original 1974 classic “Kung Fu Fighting”, a heavy Five Finger Death Punch picture disk of Got Your Six, a double LP of B-sides and rarities by Deftones, a “money green” vinyl of Notorious B.I.G’s “Mo Money, Mo Problems”, all the way through to a ’63 concept car LP called Hot Rod Album by The Challengers, featuring songs like “Stick Shift”, “Hot Rod Hootenannay” and “The Blonde In the 406”.
On top of that, there are also offerings from Hot Hot Heat, The Kinks, Lil Wayne, Madonna, Metz, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Outkast, Jay Reatard, Air, 13th Floor Elevators, Blonde Redhead, Bonobo, Radio Birdman and so many more.
There’s even a freaking Fleetwood Mac album in there, which proves my theory that you actually cannot avoid that band in any record store. You can stop reading right now and see the full list in its nine-page glory here if you so desire. But to break it down even further, here are some standouts:
Sixties Japanese Garage-Psych Sampler, Various Artists
If I’m buying one thing this RSD, it’s this. A 1000-only run compilation of Japanese 1960s rock featuring tracks from musicians who went onto play with legends Flower Travellin’ Band, Speed, Glue & Shinki and more… Definitely worthy if you love Japanese psych.
“Late 20s b/w Bigger Man”, Best Coast
Best Coast will drop 3000 7” copies of two B-side tracks, which are taken from the California Nights recording sessions.
Live at Red Rocks, Alt-J
This is a special recording of the band’s 2015 show at the Red Rocks amphitheatre – and if you’ve ever seen or heard this band live, you’ll understand why it’s highly rated. The release of 4000 includes a double LP, a CD and DVD packaged in a gatefold sleeve.
David Bowie
There’s three David Bowie records in the mix, A 12”picture disk of The Man Who Sold The World (5000 copies available); a 7” TVC15, which is a special picture disk of the original single from Station to Station (5000 copies available) and I Dig Everything-The Pye Singles (7500 copies available), which is a 12” of six songs Bowie recorded and released as three different singles in 1966.
All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash, Johnny Cash
This 1962 album featuring songs recorded by the Man in Black between 1955 and 1958, has been out of press for a very, very long time. Thankfully Record Store Day sees it repressed in a lovely blue, heavy vinyl to a count of 3000 worldwide.
“Rain/Daffodils”, Foals
Fans of Foals will get excited for the band’s 7” drop, featuring unrealised track “Rain" and a very chic cover of the Mark Ronson/Kevin Parker track "Daffodils".
Wrecking Ball, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris' 1995 album, Wrecking Ball is a beauty and its vinyl reissue has been way too long in the making. This special Record Store Day edition of 5000 sees the Grammy-winning LP drop in three disks, with outtakes and b-side versions included.
Another (Demo) One, Mac DeMarco
Revealing a very intimate side to Mac DeMarco, this is a 16-track LP of early demos recorded at “Jizz-Jazz Studios” – AKA, DeMarco’s bedroom. This will probably be one of the most sought after LPs of the day, as there are only 1000 copies available worldwide.
Live at the Aquarius: The First Performance, The Doors
This is an electric, give-you-chills live recording of the first night of two LA performances by The Doors. This version, of which there are 5000 globally is a triple LP, pressed on clear vinyl.
Rough Guide to Psychedelic Samba, Various Artists
You know how I said to pick up something esoteric? Rough Guide to Psychedelic Samba is my pick of the day for that. This special Record Store Day release, featuring various artists from 1960s to now, is so bizarre it’s fantastic.
Big Music Tour 2015, Simple Minds
Recorded last year, Simple Minds’ Big Music Tour 2015 is a fun release that’s limited to 2500 copies and pressed on red vinyl. All the hits are here, so it’s a sure-fire party starter - who doesn’t know the words to “Don’t You Forget About Me”?
Spaceways, Sun Ra
Featuring live performances from 1966 and 1968, psychedelic legend Sun Ra and his Arkestra’s Spaceways has never been pressed on vinyl before, which comes as a surprise because this 5-track LP is brilliant. 2500 copies only.
Horses Live Electric Lady Studios, Patti Smith
Electric Lady Studios is the New York studio famously built by Jimi Hendrix, who sadly only ever got to spend four weeks there before his death. Anyone who’s anyone has recorded there- Kanye West, Guns‘n’Roses, The Strokes, Daft Punk, Bob Dylan, Kiss, AC/DC, Lana Del Rey… Last year the studio announced Electric Lady Records, which will see limited edition releases of special recordings dropped on vinyl every now and again. This one, Patti Smith’s Horses Live Electric Lady Studios, recorded in 1975, is the first out of the gate. So to speak…
1969 Box Set, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Despite the fact the Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969 Archive box set is one of the larger runs (7000 editions worldwide), I’d still recommend it as a top buy. ’69 was an incredible year for that band – they released three albums, all which hit the top ten (!) and historically, well, it was a big year for their anti-war subject matter. This Record Store Day release includes the three LPs Green River, Bayou Country and Willy and the Poor Boys (also in CD form, included), three 7” EPs from Japan, Mexico and Brazil, as well as various paraphernalia, including concert tickets, bumper stickers, a photo book and more.
Want more? Head to recordstoreday.com.au to see the full list of Record Store Day releases and to check out what’s happening at your local independent vinyl pusher.