The Earth's inexorable journey around the Sun has brought us around to the third Saturday in April once again, and that means that the most holy day in my personal religious calendar is upon us once more. I speak, of course, of Record Store Day. That day when a certain select caliber of geeks assemble to celebrate their favorite independent purveyors of delicious discs of grooved vinyl. As a lifelong disciple of this odd little cult, I am compelled once again to make the early morning pilgrimage to the temples to pay homage (and no small amount of tithe) to the vinyl Gods. This is the story of my Record Store Day, the holy day, 2013.
Part One: The Electric Fetus
6:00am - Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb... oh wait... that's someone else with hair. In any case, I drag myself out of bed, shower, and assemble my necessary necessaries. Checking the weather I am informed that the current temperature is a record low for this date. While the coincidence of a record low on Record Store Day may be amusing to some, the idea of standing on the corner of Franklin and 4th for over two hours in 23 degree weather is not pleasing. At least the Sun should be strong. The wife puts on a coat over her pajamas and we head out the door.
6:50am - We arrive at the Electric Fetus and once again this year the line is already around the corner. The wife kisses me goodbye, shoves me out of the car, and leaves me to my fate. Taking my place in line, I note that despite arriving a few minutes later than last year, I seem to be a few spots ahead this year. I put this down to the weather. I put my headphones on, prop myself against the north wall of the Fetus and begin the long wait.
7:50am - One hour in. I am starting to get concerned about the state of my freezing toes. I can't wait to get to the East side of the building and into the stronger sun. At this point I overhear that the people at the head of the line with the bench and the blankets began their stakeout at 8:30 last night. I may be a little crazy, but those guys are nuts.
8:10am - Fetus employees finally begin to hand the numbers out determining the order that people may enter the cordoned off RSD exclusive release area. I am number 63, five spots earlier than last year, just as I suspected. I have no idea if this will make any difference. Once people receive their numbers, they are no longer compelled to stand in line, and many people seek a warmer spot to spend the remaining time before the doors open at 9. Having nowhere to go, I am compelled to stay, but thankfully the thinning line allows me to move to the considerably warmer side of the building. The sun and its reflection off the plate glass windows warm me nicely. My toes breathe a sigh of relief.
8:25am - I spy some familiar strangers. Two years ago there was a couple ahead of me in line who quite generously brought a couple of dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to share with people around them. At the time the woman was VERY pregnant. They walk past me now with no donuts, but with their child in tow. The geekdom is safe for another generation.
8:45am - I am lamenting the fact that the kind people from Dunn Bros. handing out free coffee are conspicuously absent. Note to self: No pocket cup.
9:00am - The doors open at last. The wait in the chilly exterior is over. The wait in the hot and crowded interior has begun. I grab a complimentary pastry from Glam Doll Donuts and a coffee courtesy of Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop & Coffee Bar. These are wonderful people. Let the waiting begin.
9:30am - After commiserating briefly with Bob the overworked manager, I start to wonder if that coffee may have been a mistake. I hope my number is called before nature does. Thankfully, the process seems to be moving faster than usual. I don't know if this bodes well or ill, but I'll take it.
9:50am - My number is up. They really are moving it along. I've never been in the exclusive area before 10am before. I enter the fray and join in the frenzied grab for choice nuggets.
10:00am - Finished with feeding frenzy, I head to the counter for a check-in and check-out with Bob. With a little help from my friends, I seem to have scored a goodly percentage of the most desired items on my list. Time to call the mrs for a ride home.
10:30am - Arrive home much earlier than expected. Time to use the facilities, have a snack, and sort the loot before the next journey.
Electric Fetus Scores. Tale of the Tape:
Record Store Day Exclusives:
Robyn Hitchcock There Goes
the Ice double 12” 45
Stephen Malkmus and Friends Can’s
“Ege Bamyasi” Played By Stephen Malkmus and Friends LP on green vinyl
Shuggie Otis Introducing
Shuggie Otis LP
The Small Faces There Are
But Four Small Faces LP
Tame Impala debut EP on
raspberry red vinyl
The White Stripes Elephant
double LP on red and black vinyl and white vinyl
The Animals The Animals Is
Here 10” EP
The Black Keys/The Sooges No
Fun split 7” on red and orange sunburst vinyl
Cheech & Chong featuring
Alice Bowie Earache My Eye 7” on green vinyl
Husker Du Amusement
double 7”
Moby & Mark Lanegan The
Lonely Night 7”
Frank Zappa I’m the
Slime/Montana 7” on green and blue marbled vinyl
Other Items:
Serge Gainsbourg Histoire
de Melody Nelson LP
The Black Angels Indigo
Meadow CD
Part Two: Hymie's Vintage Records' Record Store Block Party
12:45pm - Having recuperated from the morning's activities, the mrs and I head off to check out the doings at Hymie's Vintage Records.
1:00pm - Hymie's is a zoo. The rapid fire clerks are doing their level best, but with only one register they are swimming upstream. Meanwhile, I am finding waaaay too many pricey items calling my name. This could get ugly.
1:15pm - I have finally checked-out at Hymie's. I somehow managed to exceed my budget for this store by nearly 66%. What can I do? It's Record Store Day. The mrs and I head outside to check out the block party. Despite the unseasonable cold, the turnout is pretty nice for the party. The Sun has warmed the air to a much more manageable 40ish degrees, the band on stage is comporting itself admirably in the chill, and everyone seems to be having a pretty fabulous time. These are Minnesotans, after all. A little frigid air is not enough to spoil a party. A guy walks by carrying a huge box of records he has just purchased. Ah, Record Store Day...
1:20pm - The mrs and I duck into the neighboring cafe for a beverage and a snack. I am pleased to encounter my friend Douglas and his daughter. He assures me that I must stick around and check out the next band on stage outside at 1:45. We say "what the hell, why not?" and take a seat to enjoy our brief repast.
1:45pm - The aforementioned band, Prissy Clerks, takes the stage. Douglas was right to recommend them. Tasty post-Riot Grrrl indie rock a la the Bangs.
2:15pm - Prissy Clerks finish their set for an enthusiastic crowd. The mrs and I say our farewell to Douglas and head for home. I've been at it for over seven hours. I declare this Record Store Day another rousing success. So much fun. So many titles. So many People! Sooooo much delicious colored vinyl. Mmmmmmm... colored vinyl...
Hymie's Vintage Records Scores. Tale of the Tape:
Record Store Day Exclusive:
David Bowie The Stars (Are
Out Tonight)/Where Are We Now? 7” on white vinyl
Others Items:
Blondie Parallel Lines
used LP
Robyn Hitchcock and the
Egyptians Fegmania used LP
Robyn Hitchcock and the
Egyptians Globe of Frogs used LP
Gene Vincent Live at Town
Hall Party 1958 &1959 LP
The Magic Christian –
Original Sound Track used LP
The Small Faces Itchycoo
Park/I’m Only Dreaming 7”
The Small Faces Tin
Soldier/I Feel Much Better 7”
