Kelly Trom
ktrom@mustangdaily.net
Do you crave the sound of the needle finding its way into vinyl grooves? Are you familiar with the origins of the acronyms LP and EP? If so, you probably already know that Record Store Day is coming up on Saturday. For those who don’t have their favorite Record Store Day releases pre-ordered yet, the international event gives retro audiophiles the opportunity to purchase products put out by artists specifically for the day.
“It’s a day to celebrate independent record stores worldwide, not just in the United States,” Boo Boo Records manager Frank Hayes said.
Record Store Day was created in 2007 in response to the revival of interest in vinyl-format music. There are approximately 700 independent record stores in the United States, not to mention the ones located outside of the country. Now celebrated on the third Saturday of each April, the original Record Store Day was kicked off at Rasputin Music in San Francisco with a performance by Metallica.
Many bands and artists have publicly supported this day as a celebration of record culture.
“As a band, our love of records and actual CDs has never waned. There’s something spiritual about holding an album in your hands and reading through the lyrics while you are losing yourself in the music,” Lyzzy Hale, lead singer of Halestorm, is quoted as saying on the Record Store Day website.
Boo Boo Records and Cheap Thrills Records are San Luis Obispo’s two official participants.
Boo Boo Records will have local bands playing in the store the whole day. Some of these artists include Scout’s Honor, Proxima Parada and The Dead Volts.
“We like to support the local scene around here as much as possible,” Hayes said. “It’s going to be a really eventful day, every year it gets bigger and bigger.”
In addition to the live music, there will be free goodies and silk screening in the front of the store.
“You have the opportunity to purchase exclusive items, such as new releases or alternate versions, or things that haven’t been in print for years of albums, mainly exclusively on LP,” Hayes said.
While there are some new releases in CD format, Hayes estimated that 95 percent of the exclusive items will be vinyl records.
Cheap Thrills Records will offer special deals on record supplies such as portable turntables, Spin-Clean record cleaning systems and turntable-grade vinyl. The store is also offering a commemorative Record Store Day button while supplies last.
“Vinyl is certainly having a comeback,” Cheap Thrills Records general manager Richard Ferris said. “It is even stronger now than it was five years ago.”
Hundreds of these new and special deals are posted online. Here are a few of the highlights:
- David Bowie will release “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” on 7-inch vinyl, the second single from his recent album “The Next Day.”
- Mumford & Sons will release a live recording with three to four songs from New Hampshire’s Bull Moose on 10-inch vinyl.
- Jimmy Eat World is set to drop two previously unreleased tracks, “Damage” and “Stop Whispering,” on 7-inch vinyl.
- The White Stripes will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band’s Grammy Award-winning “Elephant” with a limited edition two-LP set on colored vinyl.
- The Grateful Dead will offer “Rare Cuts & Oddities 1966” for the first time ever on vinyl with exclusive cover art.
- Nick Drake will reissue a 12-inch compilation of songs from his first two albums, “Five Leaves Left” and “Bryter Layter,” along with a special poster.
Not all releases will be available at all of the independent record stores participating. Those interested should call ahead to make sure stores have releases in stock.