At Tone Deaf, we like nothing more than walking in to a record store, flipping through the vinyl, admiring the posters on the walls, having a listen to the record the store is playing on the in-house sound system and then finally having a chat to a fellow music nerd behind the counter about what’s good and new. Who has ever received bad advice about music in an indie record store? That’s right, you never do. You certainly wouldn’t get all this priceless knowledge and friendly advice on iTunes, that’s for sure!
Hence we’re right behind tomorrow’s (Saturday 16th April) Record Store Day around Australia, in which music fans are encouraged to drop in to their local indie music store and pick up a bargain or collectable record, have a chat to the staff, and ensure we keep these priceless institutions alive. Here’s what’s happening in some of our favourite indie record stores around Australia and we don’t apologise for including so many from Melbourne – Melbourne isn’t the rock n’ roll capital of the Southern Hemisphere for no reason!
Record Paradise St Kilda
Record Paradise on Chapel St Windsor has pulled out all the stops to have those sleazy punks Vice Grip Pussies kicking things off around mid-day followed by fellow reprobates Bitter Sweet Kicks and those pirate rockers of St Kilda Beach, Burn In Hell.
The afternoon will cock it up a notch as garage rock duo, Chaos Kids sample tracks from their self-titled vinyl EP, before hot to trot psycho surf punks Money For Rope bring it all home, with a double drum surf’n’roll she-bang featuring their debut single ‘Slow Dance’. Record Paradise is at 100 Chapel St, St Kilda, in Melbourne and the Tone Deaf crew will be rocking out and having a sneaky beer or three all arvo.
Rockinghorse Records Brisbane
Brisbane’s much beloved Rockinghorse Records is getting in to the spirit of Record Store Day in a big way with some releases for sale that are as rare as its namesake’s shit. Apart from in-store performances from Brisbane boys Massai, The Honey Month, Ben Salter, Frank Turner (UK), and Isaac Graham (Sydney); the day will also include a record fair in the basement section with dirt cheap hip-hop 12″s and LPs.
There’ll be heaps of giveaways and special free CDs with any purchase! What’s more they’ll be stocking a few copies of the exclusive Record Store Day re-releases of Nirvana’s Hoarmoaning vinyl and Sonic Youth’s Whores Moaning!
Basement Discs Melbourne
Basement Discs in Melbourne have a stonking line up for Record Store Day this coming Saturday and fans that drop by will be the big winners. They’ll be presenting live performances all day long from some of Melbourne’s finest artists including JEFF LANG, CHARLES JENKINS, THE WOLFGRAMM SISTERS, SEAN McMAHON’S WESTERN UNION, ABBIE CARDWELL, CHRIS WILSON, SARAH CARROLL, THE SPOILS, CASH SAVAGE and LITTLE JOHN.
There will be a Music Quiz and MC duties being handled by DAVE GRANEY, HENRY WAGONS, REBECCA BARNARD & RUSTY (Scared Weird Little Guys). There’ll also be a set discount on everything in the store, and a few very special limited Record-Store-Day-only releases. The store opens at 10am, live music starts at 11:30, with something for the whole family!
For anyone who went last year, you’ll know how much fun it can be! And if you didn’t come last year, to quote Dave Graney: “Step away from the computer and goof off in a record shop. I command youse!”
Red Eye Records Sydney
One of our favourite Sydney record stores, Red Eye Records which has several branches on King and Pitt Streets, have joined in all the Record Store Day fun with plenty of goodies for music fans to sink their teeth in to this Saturday.
They’re promising that punters will be able to get 10% off vinyl store-wide, they’ll be doing giveaways all day and what’s more they will be stocking a whole bunch of the Record Store Day limited edition releases that fans are salivating over.
For a complete list of what they’ll be stocking on check out www.redeye.com.au.
Polyester Records Melbourne
As ever, Melbourne’s beloved Polyester Records has a huge day planned at both of their stores. ‘Work experience’ helpers are Fee B-Squared and Ben Birchall (RRR Breakfasters), Alan Brough (Spicks and Specks), and comedians Daniel Kitson, Josh Earl, Andrew McClelland and Lawrence Leung. They’ll have live in-stores at the city store with Oscar & Martin, Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Tren Brothers) and Eat Skull (USA).
They also have exclusive Record Store Day releases from a massive list that’s too big to list here, but it ranges from Gil Scott Heron to Grinderman. Plus 15% off storewide on CDs, vinyl and DVDs (no further discounts), and freebies to give away courtesy of Popfrenzy, Inertia, Lost & Lonesome, Other Tongues and more.
Hum on King Sydney
At 11am Hum on King in Sydney has none other than The Jezabels signing copies of their three EPs which have been released on vinyl. They’re just back from SXSW, the massive music industry expo in Austin, Texas. In addition, Sydney DJ Ruby will play, followed by a performance at 5pm of the voice of David Guetta’s hits, Chris Willis. Check it out!
78 Records Perth
78 Records in Perth is once again throwing a great big party and very special guest of honour is the extraordinary Gurrumul. He’ll be performing a set at midday, followed by a signing. In addition special limited edition vinyl including Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Radioheads and Flying Lotus as well as giveaways and heaps of fun will be available – and there will be 15% off vinyl (except for limited edition special kinda stuff).
Thornbury Records Melbourne
Thornbury Records are giving away free stuff every hour as they do their infamous Thornbury Records musical chairs on the hour at 12 – 8pm. They’ve got limited Edition Rock Photography by Kate Griffin featuring artists such as Jarvis Cocker, Dirty Three, You Am I, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Flaming Lips, The Dead Weather and Eddy Current Suppression Ring, not to mention a bunch of the super limited edition US only Record Store Day releases. Throw in the fact that their mighty Galalga table is back in action for all 80s arcade game fans and they’ll be giving free turntable servicing quotes and you’d be mad to miss it!
Greville Records Melbourne
Greville Records will be having a sale with 10% off all vinyl and 20% off everything else in stock. Tone Deaf has been tipped off that a few big ticket items may be on sale to celebrate the day at never to be repeated prices but you’ll have to pop in to find out what they are. Box sets? Prints? Ultra rare collectables? Oooh, the suspense is killing us.
Clarity Records Adelaide
Clarity Records in Adelaide are not only celebrating Record Store Day, they’re also putting on their party hats as it’s their first birthday! A whole weekend sale will see 20% off all vinyl and CDs in the store, as well as being one of Adelaide’s only stockists of the limited edition Record Store Day releases that have fans drooling in anticipation. On Sunday, which is their actual birthday, they’ll be seeing in-store performances from Weightless, Josh Mann & Batbear.
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