Everything you like sucks!

Pop-punk is for pudgy self-haters. Hardcore sucks worse than it did 10 years ago, which seemed impossible at the time. Punk is now Green Day. Indie rock is the new Ke$ha. Chillwave is for former swoop-hair kids who’ve aged out of their scene. Shoegaze is the new jazz music, meaning people only pretend to like it. Bands with earnest, gruff vocals are the new swoop-hairbands. Everything you like really truly sucks.

Do you know what all the sentences above have in common? Besides the fact that they’re true, I mean. Can’t guess? OK, here’s what links those ideas:

You shouldn’t care. You shouldn’t validate them by arguing. You should ignore them completely.

There’s only one thing worse in this whole world than a misguided nerd, and that’s an apologetic one. You like what you like. You should always be looking to expand your palate but, at the end of the day, you can’t force it.

If you’re into Saves The Day, you’re into it. There’s no need to put on airs or dress it up. And if you like ignorant mosh music, it’s just part of your DNA. You’ll probably always like it. Don’t hide your Hatebreed lyric tattoos. Maybe you still dye your hair colors not found in nature. Don’t hide your Mindless Self Indulgence tattoo. Or that ICP hatchetman logo on your ankle.

Here’s the thing. As lame as everything I listed at the beginning of this essay is, the stuff people believe to be cool is just as corny. Hardcore kids want to be indie rockers; indie rockers want to be house DJs. Someone put it in their heads that they should always be chasing cool. It’s all a crock. There is no “cool.” It just doesn’t exist. Chasing it makes you uncomfortable in your own skin and paints you as an insecure clown to the rest of the world.

I’m confident everything you like sucks. I know it. But there is not a reason in the world you should care about my opinion. There’s no reason you should value ANY person’s opinion over what your ears tell you. Never change for the guy at the record store, the geek in a popular band, or some faceless blog. Don’t bother defending your position. Just like what you like.

Patrick Kindlon, Alternative Press

Hello Nasty Collector's Vinyl

• 4 pieces of 180 gram Vinyl featuring the deluxe remastered album and 21 bonus tracks and rarities (43 tracks total)
• 8 panel gatefold package, a special Hello Nasty Collectors Edition patch, and hardcover "coffee table book" case
• Limited to only 1,500 sales
• Immediate album & b-sides download: Premium DRM-free 320kbps MP3, FLAC, or Apple Lossless
• Include a digital download of 4 Hello Nasty music videos for $10. Videos include Three MCs and One DJ, Body Movin, Intergalactic, the infamous Hello Nasty Infomercial, and a full album video commentary by the Beastie Boys.
• Collector's Vinyl will ship after 10/30/09

Via: Beastie Boys

Always remember. 09-11-01

Vinyl Record Shops - Top Spot Profile: Soundsations Records

Located just north of LAX off Seulveda Soundsations Records is a great spot, with good prices and great knowledgable staff. This is a record shop people, you gotta hit up these spot, they're all we have left.





Soundsations seem to keep a steady flow of great used 70s-90s vinyl. As well as some nice 180 gram audiophile re-issues. The crew at SS are music lovers at heart, which keeps the indie vinyl pumping through the door.



All of which puts Soundsations on my weekly must stop list. I recently sat down with the owner Lee, we had a great talk and I will be adding the interview to this post soon. For now go check 'em out.



Soundsations Records
8701 La Tijera Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 641-8877

The $1 Rock Star ain't cuttin' it: Apple & Majors battle for album sales.

You know that feeling of opening up a new vinyl record. The delicate splitting of the shrink wrap, carefully removing the liner notes. Then listening to album for the very first time while looking at all the artwork, reading the lyrics and notes. It gave you a certain feeling, it's an indescribable connection to the music and artist. Even though I still listen to vinyl, and find solace in vintage LP's and many Indie Label Releases. I miss that complete album connection.

Major Record Labels and Apple miss it too, but for completely different reasons. Plummeting CD sales and low complete album downloads have the men in suits sweating. So they've each concocted a scheme to try and lure former CD buyers and digital downloaders into buying complete albums again. The major labels are going with a CMX format which Apple refuses to endorse, so Apple decided to come up with thier own project and code-named it “Cocktail”. They claim that full downloaded album purchases will include a complete digital booklet with liner notes, artwork, ringtones and videos. All will be accessible and displayed through this digital tablet interface to try and replicate the full album connection. Hmm, sounds cool, but is this gonna make your 13 year old sister download the next Riannah album? I doubt it.

In my opinion, the majors are missing the point. The masses are spoon-fed these hyped up singles and eating it up, carrying around thousands of $1 Top Songs on their iPod's. After the record industy was apparently forced into the MP3 Era they created this new generation of $1 Rock Stars that put together a couple commercial hits. Then they surround these chart toppers with filler and then expect people to buy the complete album. Artists were once cultivated and allowed to grow naturally, which led to the blossoming of many iconic musicians and influential bands who have back catalogs that are filled with amazing complete albums.

Hopefully distance gains perspective and the majors will re-focus on cultivating quality artists. I'm afraid until then, the One Dollar Rock Star will live on.

Limited Vinyl: Ill Communication Collector's set

Ill Communication Collector's Vinyl

• 3 pieces of 180 gram Vinyl featuring the deluxe remastered album and 12 bonus tracks and rarities (32 tracks total)
• 6 panel gatefold package, lenticular cover, and hardcover "coffee table book" case
• Limited to only 1,500 sales
• Immediate album & b-sides download: Premium DRM-free 320kbps MP3, FLAC, or Apple Lossless
• Include a digital download of 4 Ill Communication music videos for $10. Videos include Sure Shot, Root Down, Sabotage, Ricky's Theme, and a full album video commentary by the Beastie Boys.
• Collector's Vinyl will ship by 8/31/09

Via: Beastie Boys

Still impressive?

Yeah, even as the front man for this band Tomahawk...I'm still very impressed by Mike Pattons vocals and complete disregard for "normal music". After all these years he has touched countless musical genres, made a mockery of some and destroyed others... Some of his performances are beyond bizarre, but his vocal prowess is unmatched, even with a fucking respirator on.... much respect.

Rare Vinyl Spotlight: Nirvana Love Buzz 7" Sub Pop Records

Love Buzz b/w Big Cheese - Sub Pop SP23, released November 1988

Nirvana's legendary first 7" Vinyl single. Only 1000 hand-numbered copies, 200 additional copies with red marker across the number space on the sleeve were released. All 7" singles are on transparent black vinyl. The value fluctuates on this record. Even if you catch it in a downswing, however, it will cost you some serious cake ($1400-$2500). Checkout this comprehensive list of some lucky owners, I don't got it like that. So for now, I will just think maybe someday...

That kind of money brings MANY bootlegs, which aren't too difficult to spot once you know what to look for. Remarkably, the bootlegs also sell for a considerable amount of money...at one point fakes were going for over $300.

Here are some keys to recognizing a genuine copy:

• The names Alice Wheeler and Susan Sasic on the back of the sleeve are legible. 
• The side A dead wax reads: Why don't you trade those guitars for shovels? L-31540 SP-23-A kdisc;
• side B dead wax reads: L-31540X SP-23-B kdisc.

The Waxcast Episode 3 - Stax of Soul

I recently aquired 6 boxes of vinyl records from one of Rod Stewarts ex's, alot of the records were kind of run of the mill but there were a few gems. All the tracks mixed in this Waxcast were recorded off the LPs found in these boxes. The Stax sound has always intrigued me, and a few of these tracks are a perfect example of why that is. Even though not all of these artists and records were on the Stax label, some were backed by Staxs bands that helped to create that sound. The other songs were influenced by that same sound in some way, shape or form. From the early 50s Soul to the 70s Funk, that Stax Sound influence is definite. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think.

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Waxcast - Episode 3 Tracklist

1. Ain't Nobody Home - Howard Tate
2. If You Need Me - Solomon Burke
3. Ain't Nothing You Can Do - Bobby Bland
4. Mercy, Mercy - Don Covay
5. You Don't Love Me - Z.Z. Hill
6. Stop - Howard Tate
7. I Got To Love Somebody's Baby - Johnnie Taylor
8. Sixteen Tons - Jonnie Taylor
9. Billy Jack - Curtis Mayfield
10. Express Yourself - Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
11. Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John
12. Baby Let Me Steal You - Joe Tex
13. Love Me Right Girl - Joe Tex
14. Good Eye - Lamont Dozier

Music bed - The Meters, Cissy Strut

Entire Green Day Discography To Be Released On Vinyl

Artist:Green Day - Following the release of their latest album, ‘21st Century Breakdown‘,  have announced that their entire discography will be re-issued on vinyl.

From their 1990 debut album, ‘1039/Smooth‘ to their 2004 multi-award winning album ‘American Idiot‘, the band’s entire collection is set for a vinyl re-release.



Warner Brothers/Reprise records will also be releasing the band’s entire collection of 7″ singles on vinyl.

The vinyl releases will be sold separately at retail locations.

The band’s label will also release a limited edition custom box set featuring all 21 of Green Day’s 7″ singles.

Via MOG

Limited Vinyl: Beastie Boys Check Your Head 4 LP Set

Older news, but with the future Limited reissued vinyl in the works from the Beastie Boys. I felt it was relivent to add prior to the new releases coming soon!

Here we have The Check Your Head Collector's Vinyl

• 4 pieces of 180 gram Vinyl featuring the deluxe remastered album and the 4 original 12" singles (36 tracks total)
• 8 panel gatefold package with foil cover inlay, packaged in a fabric-wrapped, black foil-stamped hardcover "coffee table book" case
• Limited to 2,000 sales
• Available Now
• Immediate album & b-sides download: Premium DRM-free 320kbps MP3, FLAC, or Apple Lossless

Includes a digital download of 7 Check Your Head music videos for $12. Videos include Gratitude, Jimmy James, Netty's Girl, Pass The Mic, Something's Got To Give, So What'cha Want, Time for Livin, and a full album video commentary by the Beastie Boys. Retail is a bit steep at $85, but definatley a must for the Beastie Boy collectors.
 
Via: Beastie Boys

Rare LP's: The 50 most expensive vinyl records!

This Velvet Underground Acetate recently sold  for over $25K

Well, its something we hear often... "How much are my vinyl records worth?" Honestly, they're only worth what someone's willing to pay for them. Which usually isn't that much, but we found some that would make most spouses hide their credit cards..

Click here for The 50 Most expensive vinyl records!

This is a list that is compiled by a UK website called Popsike.com. Popsike collects information and compiles a database from thousands of past auctions on vinyl records of all forms 12", 10" and 7". these are the top 50 most expensive vinyl records in thier database, so if you have any LP's on this list, I'd say you're in good shape. This is can be a great tool and fun, enjoy!

Morrissey Boycott: DON'T BUY MY 7" VINYL BOX SET! (re-issue)

Morrissey has requested that fans don't buy any of the upcoming box set reissues from his back catalog.

Former frontman of The Shiths claimed in a statement issued to fan site True-to-you.net, which he often communicates through, that he wouldn't receive any money from the reissues, released on November 2, and that he was not asked for approval for their release.

The Morrissey reissues will see singles and B-sides re-packaged as new 7" vinyl single releases.

"Morrissey would like it to be known that he has not been consulted by EMI/HMV/Parlophone Record labels with regards to two upcoming boxed sets of Morrissey singles," the message read.

It continued: "Morrissey does not approve such releases and would ask people not to bother buying them. Morrissey receives no royalty payments from EMI for any back catalogue, and has not received a royalty from EMI since 1992.

In addition "Morrissey doesn't approve of, and was not consulted on, the recent Rhino box of Smiths CDs, or the Warner releases of Smiths LPs on 180 gram vinyl.

Claiming "I last received a royalty payment from Warners ten years ago and ask people not to bother buying the reissued LPs"

The Death of the CD: Walmart needs a new loss leader!

More and more big businesses like Walmart and Target are scrambling to find their next big loss leader. In case you're unaware, these corporate mega-stores played a pivotal role in the demise of our beloved local record shop.

In 1982 The Music Industry declared that CD's were the ultimate audio medium and the wave of the future. Remember the hype? CD's will last forever, they're indestructible, convenient and they sound better. You better hurry up and trade-in all your vinyl before its worthless and obsolete. A lot of smaller record shops took it on the chin if they weren't prepared for this dramatic switch to CD. Only the strongest record stores survived and those that did flourished during these early years.

However, this attracted the big corporations who realized they could tap into this huge music market to improve their customer base and bottom line. They decided to price all CD's below cost, knowing most customers will also buy other items at inflated profit margins. It was a huge move and our Record Shops were just collateral damage in their eyes. Stop and think about that for a moment, while we sat and watched the 75% off sales at our favorite local mom and pop record shops. When your local Tower Records, Wherehouses and Music Plus' were filing chapter 7. These mega-stores were enjoying the taste of our fresh meat! Now as CD sales hit an all time low, the music consumer becomes obsolete in the eyes of these corporate giants. They've essentially chewed up the Music consumer and spit 'em out, they've squeezed as much out of us as possible.

So, who will be the corporate favorite at the next loss leader buffet? Me thinks, maybe the gamers and movie lovers will be on the menu, but which will be the delicacy of choice? Only time will tell.

Arctic Monkeys release vinyl-only exlusive single through Oxfam

Arctic Monkeys are ditching CDs to release comeback single 'Crying Lightning' exclusively on vinyl.

The band are issuing two versions of the single, one on 10-inch and one on seven-inch - the latter of which will be exclusively sold through Oxfam charity shops in the UK.

The Oxfam-only version of the single - which is currently only available as a download - will come out on August 17, and features the B-side 'Red Right Hand', a Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds cover.

The seven-inch costs £2.99, though the band and Oxfam are encouraging fans to donate items to their shops - particularly unwanted records or other music-related merchandise - when they come in to buy the new single.

"Oxfam is a Great British institution, and it's a delight to be working together on this project," declared Laurence Bell, founder of Arctic Monkeys's record label, Domino. "There are about 700 Oxfam shops in the UK, many of them in high streets that once housed a record shop, so as well as raising some money for a great cause we are able to get vinyl back onto more of the nation's high streets, which feels good.

"We encourage all customers to bring something of value to donate to the store when they come down to buy the new Arctic Monkeys single."

A 10-inch version of 'Crying Lightning' is also being released via conventional record shops and features an extra B-side, new track 'I Haven’t Got My Strange'.

Both versions of the single come with codes which will allow fans to download the relevant tracks on MP3 for free.

Arctic Monkeys release their third album, 'Humbug', on August 24.

This is one huge Vinyl Swap, The Mega Record Show..

The increasingly successful international Mega Record and CD Fair in Utrecht, Netherlands on November 22nd and 23rd 208 was the place to be in 2008. It is the largest convention of its kind in the world with over five hundred dealers coming from forty different countries. The Mega Record and CD Fair is packed with special exhibitions, music book presentations, live gigs and many other surprises.

The Waxcast Episode 2: Homage to Reggae Revolution

This Episode pays homage to Reggae Revolution, The KNAC years 1982-85. Roberto Angotti hosted the show every Sunday on 105.5, the show helped put alot of artists on the map and was very influential to alot of its listeners including members of Sublime and No Doubt. So I dug up tons of old chunes I remember hearing on the show, hunted down some rare vinly records, mainly 12" singles from Jamaica. Your input is welcome, I hope you enjoy!

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