Record Store Day Diary

I celebrate Record Store Day at my local shop in The San Fernando Valley.  I like the scale of the whole thing and I think their organization and methods are the best.  Great guys too.  I stop in often and we're on a first name basis.

I used to go to other stores as well. Rockaway in Silver Lake no longer participates.  Amoeba is so overrun with vinyl tourists that I've driven by without stopping the last two years.

This year, the plan was to just visit my local shop and call it a day.

7:30AM.  Arrive at store.  About 10th in line. In front of a place where people take their dogs for play dates.

It's Record Store Day!

Hipster hats.   Ironic t shirts.  Girls with tattoos.   Beards on both old guys and young guys.  

A beautiful sunny day.

9:00 AM.  One of the guys from the store goes down the line handing out coupons for the pizza place across the street.  It's one of the region's finest and where my family insists we get our pizza - even though it's not the closest.

9:30 AM.  The other guy from the store goes down the line asking each person what the one thing they want the most is.  Each person is assured to get that one title (assuming all copies weren't claimed by those closer to the front).   When they got to me, I asked what title they had the least of on my list of wants.  Turns out one of them they only got two copies.  I picked that one.  By this time the line behind me is down the block and around the corner.

10:30 AM.  A few roadie types start dragging extension cords and amplifiers out of the store and down the sidewalk.  We're treated to a three song 'show' on the sidewalk by Dylan Gardner.  Better than watching people enter the store next door for doggie fun time - or - watching the 'resting bitch face' women go into the spa for skin peel.

11:00 AM.  Store opens.  My want list is handed in at the door.  As I snake around the bins, a happy store guy is filling my order.  I got everything on my want list except for some Japanese Garage/Psych compilations.  Here's my haul.

11:30 AM.  Back on the couch, playing records.