Spotlight: Record Store Day 2019
It’s that time of year again: Record Store Day is upon us! Collectors have likely already made their want lists for the limited edition releases and will be lining up while it’s still dark out on the morning of Saturday, April 13, but don’t let that stop you from getting in on the fun. Yes, there are lots of collectible goodies coming out on Saturday (visit recordstoreday.com to see the list), but even if you’re just a passive collector or someone who likes the idea of having record stores around, RSD is for you, too. The purchasing frenzy starts a bit early for the rock crowd – 8:00 a.m. for both Revolver Records locations (1451 Hertel Ave. and 831 Elmwood Ave.) as well as at Black Dots (363 Grant St.), but live music doesn’t get going until the afternoon. Black Dots usually has some beer going on, and the temperature looks to be reasonable on Saturday (as of “press time”), so it’s a good day to just be out and about. Below you’ll find some information on RSD-related events, and some of the Record store day exclusives to look for.
Celebrate the spirit of indie retail and the culture of record stores with RSD 2019 and check the related Facebook pages for more specific details.
Record Store Day at Revolver Records
You can’t go wrong hitting up either of Revolver Records locations on Record Store Day. On top of the boatloads of records they’ll have stocked up, both locations will also have a full afternoon of live music performances. The newly opened Elmwood location will kick things off at 11am with live music. Expect music from The Space, Cherisse and Tim, Urban Planning, Johnny Hart and the Mess, the Good, Tough Old Bird, Theica, and Space Diner. Simultaneously, the Revolver Records store on Hertel will also have music by Nurse Joyful, the tim Britt Band, Tyler Bagwell, Over & Out, The Water Dogs, Kanuton, Bighorn Sheep, and Great Lakes. Both live music events go until 4:20, just in time to head back home, put on those records, and do whatever else it is that adults do at 4:20 in the afternoon.
Record Store Day at Black Dots
Word on the street is that Black Dots will not only be carrying a whole bunch of RSD releases—expect to find over 200 record store day releases—but they’ve upped their stock of used records for this weekend too. On top of that they’ll host a live DJ from noon until 3pm, and then, weather permitting, some outdoor live music. At noon, the Anderson’s food truck will show up to start slinging beef on wecks and ice cream. The store will also be open for five more hours than usual, from 8am until 9pm.
Record Store Day with Polar Pizza Party
Once you’ve maxed out on record purchases, head over to Community Beerworks where DJs Cutler and LoPro will be spinning some of their favorites on wax. Grab some Polar Pizza while you’re there and some cold CBW brews.
10 Record Store Day Exclusives to Look For
Air — “Surfing on a Rocket”
French pop-band, Air, will release a special picture disc version of their single, “Surfing on a Rocket,” from their 2004 record, Talkie Walkie. The colorful picture disc features four versions of the track, including a remix by Juan MacLean.
Bob Dylan - Blood On the Tracks
Bob Dylan fans will be lining up to grab this exclusive record: an exact replica of a test pressing of his 1975 record, Blood on The Tracks. Only 7,500 copies of this were printed, so if you see it, grab it.
Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart’s profoundly weird, yet hugely influential 1969 record, Trout Mask Replica will see a special release for record store day. The album, which has been out of print for 10 years, has been remastered and pressed onto to LPs.
Cheech & Chong — “Up in Smoke”
It’ll be hard to miss this one on the shelf. This special issue of the theme song to Cheech and Chong’s 1978 stoner film will be printed on a 7” marijuana leaf-shaped picture disk. This 40th anniversary edition comes complete with a marijuana-scented scratch and sniff sticker. Only 4,500 were printed as an RSD exclusive.
Death Grips - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Gabber
Death Grips, the experimental punk-hip-hop duo, will release their 2017 noise EP, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Gabber on vinyl. This will be the first time the record will be released in physical from. It’ll feature two additional formerly YouTube-exclusive cuts, More Than the Fairy and Electronic Drum Solo Dub Mix.
Grateful Dead - The Warfield, San Francisco, CA 10/9/80 & 10/10/80
Hardcore Dead fans will line up for this one. This Record Store Day exclusive features two complete acoustic sets from the band’s October 1980 shows at the Warfield in San Francisco. Limited to 10,000 LPs.
Green Day - Woodstock 1994
Maybe this is their way of celebrating the 25th anniversary of their seminal record, Dookie. Green Day will release a live recording of their 1994 performance at Woodstock on vinyl as a special Record Store Day exclusive. Look for one of the 6,800 copies.
Queen -Bohemian Rhapsody Picture Disc
If you loved the film, then you’ll want to look for this special two LP picture disc version of the original soundtrack toBohemian Rhapsody. The package also includes a “never before released” set from Live Aid.
Sly & the Family Stone - Live at Woodstock Sunday August 17, 1969
If you’re collecting Woodstock recordings this Record Store Day, you’ll have to grab this one. Sly & The Family Stone took the stage at 3:30am on August 17, 1969 and laid down this this out-of-this-world live set. Own it on double vinyl this Record Store Day.
Sigur Rós - 22° Lunar Haloand Variations on Darkness
Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rósis putting out two exclusive records this year. The first is 22° Lunar Halo. which was written as a soundtrack to an interpretive dance piece by taiwanese choreographar Cheng Tsung-Lung. The second is another piece written for dance, Variations on Darkness, which soundtracks a series of dances by the Iceland Dance Company. Only 2,000 of each will be sent out to stores.