Spin 'Em If You Got 'Em
by Cory Perla
Record Store Day is back
The seventh annual celebration of Record Store Day (RSD for short) is Saturday, April 19, and it could be the biggest yet with hundreds of exclusive vinyl record releases.
Record Store Day is not just for the hardcore vinyl collector but also for the supporters of local businesses and their owners too. To participate in RSD, a store must exist as a stand-alone brick-and-mortar retailer whose product line consists of at least 50 percent retail music. There are several stores in Buffalo that meet this criteria and who choose to participate in Record Store Day, including both Record Theatre locations, Spiral Scratch, and Buffalo’s newest record store, Black Dots located in the Grant Street area.
Each store orders the records they’d like to carry but not every record is delivered to every store. Some releases are extremely limited; in some cases less than 1,000 copies are manufactured, so certain records might not even show up in your country, let alone your city. The event’s official website (recordstoreday.com) contains a list of records, which includes music by everyone from David Bowie to Disclosure, OFF! to Fishbone.
Again, not every store will order everything, and not every store will receive everything they’ve ordered, so it is wise to visit as many stores as possible to find the rarest and most limited releases. Here is an extremely brief list of what we consider to be this year’s essential Record Store Day releases, as well as a list of RSD related events and even some local record stores excluded from the official list.
13 Essential Record Store Day Releases
Devo/The Flaming Lips
Side by Side Series: Gates of Steel
7˝ vinyl
In February, original Devo drummer Bob “Bob 2” Casale died at the age of 61. Now Devo and psychedelic rock band the Flaming Lips have dedicated their split Gates of Steel exclusive RSD release to the legendary new-wave drummer. The seven-inch vinyl, part of the Side by Side series, contains a live version of Devo’s “Gates of Steel” from 1980, and the Flaming Lips’ unreleased 2014 cover of the song on silver vinyl. Beware: It might be tough to find this record, which has been limited to 7,500 copies nationwide; so if you see it, don’t hesitate.
Rick James
“You and I”/“Fire and Desire”
12˝ vinyl
Slick Rick, Buffalo’s prince of funk, may have died in 2004 but his legacy lives on. This 12-inch vinyl record released by Motown Records features two previously unreleased tracks, “You and I extended M+M Mix,” and “Fire and Desire (Live Long Beach),” featuring another deceased pop star, Teena Marie.
Ron Jeremy
Understanding and Appreciating Classical Music With Ron Jeremy
7˝ vinyl
I apologize in advance, but I had to include this record because it’s just so fucking strange. On Understanding and Appreciating Classical Music With Ron Jeremy, the adult film star performs piano renditions of Bach and Beethoven in between his own (hilarious?) comments on classical piano music. On seven-inch (wink, wink) vinyl. Good luck making love to this one.
The Notwist
Run Run Run
12˝ vinyl
German indie rock band the Notwist is probably your favorite band’s favorite band. Singer Markus Acher, also of electropop band Lali Puna, founded the group in 1989 and has released eight full-length records including the band’s most recent, Close to the Glass. This RSD exclusive includes “Run Run Run” from that record, as well as three unreleased tracks—one never-before-heard song and two remixes from Close to the Glass.
Omar Souleyman
Jazeera Nights: Folk & Pop Sounds of Syria
12˝ vinyl
Prior to his breakout work with producer Four Tet on his latest album, Wenu Wenu, the enigmatic Syrian folk-pop musician Omar Souleyman released an equally tantalizing compilation of Syrian, Iraqi, Turkish, and Kurdish influenced songs in 2010 titled Jazeera Nights: Folk and Pop Sounds of Syria. This is a limited run release so it could be hard to find, but it is considered the essential Souleyman and would be a unique addition to any collection.
LCD Soundsystem
The Long Goodbye (LCD Soundsystem Live At Madison Square Garden)
5-LP vinyl box set with digital download
On April 2, 2011, short-lived but legendary disco-punk group LCD Soundsystem played their final show at New York’s Madison Square Garden to a sold-out crowd of enthusiastic fans. If you can’t say, “I was there,” then this nearly four-hour unabridged recording of that final show, mixed personally by LCD founder and frontman James Murphy, will be the next best thing.
Disclosure
“Apollo”
12˝ vinyl
After the huge success of their debut LP Settle, UK dance-music-makers Disclosure released their club-ready electro-house tune “Apollo” in October of last year. It was a digital release only, but now, on Record Store Day, it will be available on vinyl as a 12-inch single for the first time.
Between the Buried and Me
Colors_Live
Double LP colored vinyl
For the first time, a live version of Colors, the 2007 Victory Records release by surgical metal band Between the Buried and Me will be available on colored vinyl as a double LP. Originally released as a “video album” on DVD, the record was recorded on August 2, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee.
William Onyeabor
What?!
12˝ vinyl
Nigerian funk musician William Onyeabor has been fairly overlooked on the list of musical masterminds throughout history. Between 1977 and 1985, Onyeabor released a treasure trove of analog synthesizer-tinged funk albums, eight to be exact, that have set him apart from African guitar-funk colleagues like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade. Original copies of those albums can sell online for upwards of $500. Last year David Byrne re-introduced the world to William Onyeabor when he released a stellar compilation of rarely heard tracks titled Who is William Onyeabor?, which was immediately eaten up by dance-floor enthusiasts. Now artists ranging from Hot Chip to Daphni, Justin Strauss, and more have re-edited many of Onyeabor’s tracks for an exclusive Record Store Day 12-inch vinyl release simply titled What?!.
Chvrches
Recover EP
12˝ vinyl
Scottish singer songwriter Lauren Mayberry leads synthtronic pop band Chvrches. The band’s debut album The Bones of What You Believe has been praised for Mayberry’s meticulous vocals and bandmates Ian Cook and Martin Doherty’s stratified synth lines. Their follow-up comes as a RSD exclusive in the form of a five song EP titled Recover featuring three new tracks and two remixes of the title track, “Recover” on clear orange vinyl, hand-numbered and stamped.
Tame Impala
Live Versions
12˝ Vinyl
This record was chosen for Record Store Day because the live versions of these songs from indie rock band Tame Impala are distinctly different from their studio-recorded counterparts. Live versions, recorded in Chicago during the band’s 2013 tour include “Endors Toi,” “Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?” “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards,” and several more.
Nirvana
“Pennyroyal Tea”/”I Hate Myself and Want to Die”
7˝ vinyl
Released in September 1993, In Utero was the third and final album from Nirvana. On April 5, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle. Needless to say, the death of the grunge band’s legendary lead singer and guitarist devastated fans worldwide and put a halt Nirvana. Plans to release what would have been the band’s third single from In Utero, “Pennyroyal Tea,” were aborted. It’s said that the song was never released after Cobain’s death because the b-side, “I Hate Myself and Want to Die” hit a little to close to home at the time. Now, the single and B-side will be released on 12-inch vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.
Gil Scott Heron
Nothing New
12˝ vinyl
Gil Scott Heron, the soulful jazz poet and musician, passed away in 2011. As a final gift he left behind a ton of special never before heard recordings. Stripped down cuts from his I’m New Here era, including “Pieces of a Man” and “Did You Hear What They Said,” have been compiled for a special release called Nothing New.
Record Store Day Events
Spiral Scratch
10am-9pm, 291 Bryant St.
In addition to packing the store full of rare records and Record Store Day exclusives, Bryant Park record store Spiral Scratch will host a full day of free live music on Saturday. At 11am Neon Sea will take over the basement of the staple Elmwood Village record store followed by doom punk band Malarchuk at noon, Resist Control at 1pm, Sexist at 2pm, John Toohill at 3pm, Herod at 4pm, Afterbirth Tycoon at 5pm, Governess at 6pm, Soul Butchers at 7pm, and Flood Drinker at 8pm. Expect some mystery special guests and food from Amy’s Truck, which will be parked outside.
Record Theatre
10am-10pm, 1800 Main St.
For the seventh year in a row, Record Theatre, the largest record store in the Elmwood Village, will be celebrating Record Store Day with a slew of limited edition releases from a diverse selection of artists. Not every store receives every piece of music ordered, but Record Theatre at 1800 Main ordered every single piece that was available. In addition to the wide selection of records available, they’ll also host an Easter Egg Hunt and a herd of food trucks including Greek on the Street, R&R BBQ, Sweet Hearth, and the debut of a new food truck, Wine Not, which serves wine slushies and wine ice cream to adults only, of course.
Record Theater
10am-10pm, 3500 Main St.
Record Theatre on Main Street in University Plaza is one of Buffalo’s oldest and largest record stores. On Record Store Day in years passed, Record Theatre has been famous for not only stocking the store from floor to ceiling with Record Store Day exclusives, but also shipping in tons of extra releases from past and present unrelated to Record Store Day. They’ll also feature live music all day long from the likes of Sleepy Hahas, Relative Terms, Flat Five, Etchings, Crooked Generation, Gambi, Crappy Dracula (pictured), Governess, and more.
Black Dots
10am, music starting at 7pm, 233 Lafayette Avenue, basement
Buffalo’s newest record store, Black Dots, located at 223 Lafayette near Grant Street across from Sweetness 7 Café, is celebrating its first Record Store Day this year. To kick things off, the store that specializes in punk and hardcore will be celebrating in style with a bunch of RSD exclusives and some live music. Expect music from emo revivalists Real People, hardcore vets Resist Control, Polish hardcore band Government Flu, and garage rockers Johns, who will take over the main floor of the basement record store starting at 7pm. There will be free vegan cookies while supplies last so get there early.
Milkies
4pm-9pm, 522 Elmwood Ave. Free, 18+.
Although Milkies, located at the corner of Elmwood and West Utica is not a record store, there is no reason they can’t join in on all of the fun. On Saturday, 4-9pm, the Classic Vinyl Collective will set up at Milkies to spin some of their favorite classic records. They’re even encouraging people to bring in their own records and request their favorite songs, so buy some great records from any of the record stores listed and bring them over for a test run.
Record Baron
3048 Delaware Ave
Unfortunately Record Baron, located on Delaware in Kenmore, was kicked from Record Store Day due to lack of a website, but that doesn’t mean this store isn’t one of the best stores in town to find rare and limited edition vinyl, especially from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Most of the records found at Record Baron are imports and short runs so it’s likely you’ll find stuff there that you won’t find anywhere else, like records by proto-grunge band Temple of the Dog, which featured members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. If you don’t get your fill of vinyl on Record Store Day, check out Record Baron’s special record and compact disc sale on Sunday, April 27 at the Leonard Post VFW (2450 Walden Ave) where there will be over 50 tables worth of vendors from Buffalo, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Canada and beyond.
Doris Records
286 E Ferry St.
Doris Records on the east side of Buffalo won’t be having any RSD specials but they have a nice collection of R&B and hip hop CDs worth browsing through.
Sweet Sound Music & Variety
257 Grant St.
You can find everything from sneakers to weird cat emblazoned sweatshirts and a decent collection of CDs at Sweet Sound Music & Variety on Grant Street. Although the store will not be having any Record Store Day Specials, you can find a variety of hip hop and R& records, and a selection of Spanish, Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata music there as well.
Antique Man
234 Allen St.
Located in the heart of Allentown, Antique Man has a wide variety of used records ranging from classic rock, to jazz, and pop. With a well-organized collection and cheap prices, it’s easy to walk out of Antique Man with a stack of records for under $10.
Book Outlet
1700 Main St.
Located on Main Street, only a few blocks from Record Theatre, Book Outlet buys and sells used records. Their music selection is limited but they have a ton of great movie posters and other collectibles as well.
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