Record Store Day
Tomorrow is Record Store Day, an event “with the purpose of celebrating the culture and unique place that [independent record stores] occupy both in their local communities and nationally.” In other words, it is a last-ditch effort to save a dying industry. As a music fan, I am not particularly elated at the slow death of the record store, but I am not a Luddite either. I have long held the opinion that the technology that has come around in the last decade is only going to help music culture as a whole. So while it sucks to see so many businesses struggling and closing, it’s really up to these places to find a way to adapt rather than playing on the nostalgia and sentiment of what is quickly becoming a bygone era. Because honestly, the music is more important than the package it comes in.
That being said, some of the remaining record stores in Ventura County are participating, including Buffalo Records:
ONE DAY ONLY!
OUR BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!Saturday, APRIL 19, 2008 10am-8pm
used records & CDs
50% off all used records & CDs $2 and under
30% off all used records & CDs $2.01 - $9.99
15% off all used records & CDs $10 and overRaffle:
1st prize: $100 Buffalo Records gift certificate
2nd prize: $25 Buffalo Records gift certificate
3rd prize: Buffalo Records t-shirt (any size/color)1 raffle ticket per item purchased
no purchase necessary: 1 free ticket upon requestPlus: FREE STUFF with every music purchase!
sampler CDs & LPs and more!
And, of course, local institution Salzer’s Records (whose site is down right now for some reason — their MySpace is still up, though) is celebrating with a concert in its parking lot, featuring the bands of many of its employees. Courtesy of Reporter freelancer, Army of Freshmen frontman and sometime Salzer’s clerk Chris Jay:
As record stores prepare for a Tolkien worthy final stand against the combined forces of Wal Mart and digital stores, they’ll be a call to arms of sorts this Saturday for “Record Store Day”. Artists are doing signings and performances at record stores world wide and Salzer’s Records will be getting in on the celebration with a parking lot concert that features a strange twist- the show will only feature acts that are employed currently or have worked at Salzers in the past. Beyond just being one of the best single location independent music stores in the country, Salzers is just as beloved as long time bill payer for area musicians. Not many jobs let employees take time off for tours and recording and that charity alone is enough for celebration. The Fucking Wrath, I Was A Lover, Delorean Is A Dealer, Frank Barajas, Chris Bailey, City 17, Purely Miss, Get Gone, Lyrical Geniuses and most exciting of all, The Jim Salzer Experience come together to show their support to the life affirming experience of shopping at a real record store. Be there or good luck trying to have a heart to heart about your favorite artist with the clerk at itunes. Festivities kick off at 1pm this Saturday, April 19th.
Can’t wait to find out what the hell the “Jim Salzer Experience” is, myself.
No word on what Grady’s or American Pie (their Web site is also down) is planning, if anything, but either way, as local record stores, both deserve patronage on this of all days, right?
