Record Store Day 2014

I can hardly believe it's been a year since the last Record Store Day, but here I am again hauling my arse out of bed at 4am. To buy some records. To buy some special records. To celebrate music. To help keep indie record shops alive. To do what I love doing the most! HEY HO! LET'S GO!

5.20am at Rough Trade East

The queue is already about 50 deep

Start worrying that we won't get in with the first lot of people

On the plus side I came prepared this year with four layers of clothing, a hot water bottle and a pot of porridge. I was getting quite cold towards the end though and could hardly feel my feet, but on the plus side the time went so quickly. It was just the last five minutes that felt like forever. 

The time may have gone quickly because I was busy planning in my head what to do when I finally got in there and everything that could go wrong. At one point I'd stood still for too long so my legs and feet had started seizing up, I then became convinced that I'd just fall flat on my face as soon as I tried to walk in the door. I'm one of life's worriers, by the way. I could be worse though, last year I overheard a guy saying he'd had really bad dreams that he'd missed out on all the records he wanted. Now that's just going too far...

Brits doing what Brits do best

It's now 7am - just one hour to go - and the queue goes right around the corner

I'm in this pic stuffing my face with a croissant

At least 30% of it flaked off and got stuck in my scarf

Some of it may still be there

 The Rough Trade East scrum

Obviously this was taken after the shopping had been completed

When we eventually got in - yes, on the first round! - it was pretty hectic, but an incredibly polite shopping scrum. Being a little lady kinda went against me, as it was difficult to nudge my way in, but luckily I had my Danny Boy who I'd occasionally hear shouting out band names - PIXIES! SPRINGSTEEN! RAMONES! - to confirm he had located the precious. Meanwhile I went of to the 7" table, shopping list in hand, to grab what I could. 

We were very lucky to get everything we wanted, except one... Ghostbusters. IT GLOWS IN THE DARK! IT'S ON GREEN ECTOPLASM VINYL! It is possibly the coolest piece of vinyl I've ever seen. But it just wasn't meant to be. By the time we figured out it was filed under 'P' for Parker, they were all gone. 

Other than that, I was very happy with my new toys. A few days before Record Store Day I'd added up the cost of everything I wanted and after a rather loud gasp, thought to myself 'fuck off, I'm not spending that much'. Of course, that all went to shit the minute the records were in my hand, looking all seductive, whispering my name. But hey, it's all in a good cause and I'm giving them a warm and loving home, which is what every record needs.

On the downside, I do agree that some records were ridiculously priced and that it is in danger of becoming a cashing in exercise for major labels. There are some interesting features on that here and here. On the other hand, if you're a big fan of a band - whether they're still going or split up long ago - you'll always want to add to your collection, even if it's with something that isn't technically new. I would've loved the Soundgarden, Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedys box sets, but at £100, £80 and £60 respectively, I think they were really in the spirit of the day. Ultimately, I do think Record Store Day is a good thing, because it celebrates physical music and record shops, and encourages people to do their bit to keep them alive.

A little over excited perhaps...

After splashing the cash and posing for photos, it was time for a quick coffee and cupcake. We also shared our commiserations with another couple who'd missed out on the Ghostbusters record, before catching a live set from The Rails. Then it was time to give some other people a chance to do some shopping...

10am and the queue is still going strong 

Yes, that is two bags of goodies I'm holding there

Yes, I did go slightly over budget

Yes, it is lucky my hair has blown over my face so you can't see how tired and horrendous I look

Two coffees and a can of Red Bull later, it was off to Berwick Street to soak up the party atmosphere and enjoy some more live music...

The incredible Edwyn Collins performing at Berwick Street

What a privilege it was to catch Edwyn Collins' set. Having survived two brain hemorrhages, plus MRSA, it's amazing the guy is still alive, never mind still making music. Due to weakness in his right-hand side he's no longer able to play guitar and has had to learn to speak, read and write again, but he' still managed to write and record a new album. 

The most incredible thing about his latest work is how positive and uplifting it feels. One of the songs he performed, with help from two guitarists, featured lyrics about how lucky and happy he is to be alive, despite having more reason than anyone to be bitter and feel cheated. His experience has now been made into a documentary called The Possibilities.

And yes, he did finish the set with THAT song.

My bag of swag...

Top: Botch, Pixies, Joy Division

Middle: Heavens to Betsy, Ramones, Oasis, Shonen Knife

Bottom: Mastodon, Bruce Springsteen

Top: Clutch/Lionize split, OFF!, Nirvana

Middle: Terminator 2, Carcass/Cerebral Bore

Bottom: The Julie Ruin, The Sonics/Mudhoney split 

My favourite purchase of the day and the main reason I dragged my arse about of bed at 4am

First album from the Pixies since 1991

I didn't even realise it came with a special 7" as well as until I opened it

Let's all just bask in the beauty of the Ramones 10" for a second...

So, that was my Record Store Day 2014. I had a lovely day, I bought some great records and now I'm going to spend the rest of my Bank Holiday weekend with the record player cranked to 11.

Happy Record Store Day 2014!