Author Archives: TVD HQ

Plymouth, UK | Delight as Plymouth HMV staff get their jobs back. Surprise reopening is a boost for workers, shoppers and Plymouth city centre: Plymouth city centre has been given a major boost after the HMV store re-opened – leaving staff and customers delighted. The roller-shutter rolled up at 9am on Saturday, February 23, 2019, more than two weeks after the huge Drake Circus Shopping Centre outlet shut suddenly. It is understood the chain’s new Canadian owner has reached an agreement with mall bosses British Land Company PLC on rental for the vast unit. It meant the store, one of 27 that closed when music store mogul Doug Putman bought HMV out of administration, could start trading again. It is understood staff were only called the evening before and given the good news they could go back to their jobs.

Dundee, UK | SAVED: Iconic store in Dundee city centre​ to stay open: The iconic Groucho’s record store is to stay open, its owner has announced. It was announced in September last year that the landlord was selling the shop premises and subsequently the sale was completed at the end of November. It left owner Alastair Brodie considering retirement and the record store – a mainstay in Dundee for 42 years and at its current Nethergate location since 1999 – under threat. But Alastair has announced it will stay open in a Facebook post on Friday night. He wrote: “After months of speculation I am delighted to announce that Groucho’s will not be closing in the near future as feared. “Fortunately we have been able to strike a deal with the new landlord to extend our lease by five years which I’m sure will come as a great relief to our loyal customers.”

UK | Fopp: The rise and fall of a music store empire: It was the mothership of an independent record shop empire that grew from a one-man Glasgow market stall to 100 stores across the UK. Fopp on Byres Road helped shape the musical tastes of thousands of Scots and influenced some of the country‘s most popular musicians. But its doors have been closed for good after the chain‘s owner, HMV, was bought by Canadian firm Sunrise Records. The deal has also led to – but it is the loss of the Byres Road branch which has been most keenly felt. Members of bands like Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian and Arab Strap have all described how the Byres Road shop – situated in the heart of Glasgow‘s student area – was a key part of their musical education in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Des Moines, IA | Rock out, Merle Hay Mall: A store with 50,000 vinyl records is moving in: Get ready to rock, Merle Hay Mall. A record store is moving into the mall, complete with 50,000 vinyl records, cassette tapes, autographed pieces and live bands playing shows in the mall. Ratt’s Underground Records is moving into a 3,900 square-foot space at the mall on the lower level, next door to Expo and near Flix Brewhouse. Steve Ratcliff, the store’s owner, said he is moving his existing store at 617 Euclid Avenue and all of the vintage merchandise along with it. “I have a lot of opportunities going into the mall,” Ratcliff said. “I’ve been here in the Highland Park area for seven years and it’s a struggle.” The Merle Hay Mall store includes a poster and art gallery, heavy metal and punk rock patches and 1,600 band T-shirts. Ratcliff said his store will appeal to all genres of music lovers, “everything from punk rock to Hawaiian to barber shop quartet-type stuff.”

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Redditch, UK | Redditch record shop celebrates fourth anniversary following vinyl revival: Redditch record shop Vintage Trax is celebrating its fourth anniversary after reaping the benefits of the vinyl revival. The popular business, on Birchfield Road in Headless Cross, will be marking the event this Saturday, February 23, music, giveaways and of course cake. Owner Ros Sidaway, credits the increasing demand and popularity of records for her shops success. She said: “It’s not just the local area we serve, we have customers regularly coming from the Birmingham area, Warwickshire, the South West, Wales and London. “We even have people from around the UK and overseas visiting the John Bonham memorial in Redditch town centre who come up to the shop too.” Last year alone 4.2 million records were sold in the UK an increase of 1.6 per cent from 2017.

Hartlepool, UK | Northern Rocks in Hartlepool for lovers of vinyl records: Vinyl is, for Phil Dunn, labelled with love. The music suitor has fulfilled a long-time ambition and opened up a record store. Northern Rocks Vintage Vinyl, based inside Kiwi Trading in Hartlepool, sells vinyl albums and singles from across the years. And Dunn is also passing on his knowledge and expertise when it comes to jukeboxes and record players too. With a hefty collection at home, Northern Rocks – regulars at the old Gemini club in Hartlepool will recognise the logo – is a big extension of his personal vinyl enthusiasm. Dunn admitted: “It’s a lifetime of work – as a record collector I’ve built up a collection of around 10,000 albums.

Decatur, GA | Phonographs are ‘anachronistic,’ per Georgia legislation. Vinyl collectors spin with disbelief: A bill in the legislature is getting some heat from record collectors for describing a phonograph as “anachronistic.” That word describes something as outdated, and record collectors say the machines that play vinyl records are far from anachronistic. The bill is the very first one sponsored by state Rep. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs), who was first sworn in five weeks ago. His first-ever bill takes on the phonograph, a machine invested by Thomas Edison in 1877. Yet it persists in 21st century culture. The evidence is in Wuxtry Records, a north Decatur institution opened in 1978. Yes, some people still buy music at Wuxtry and other stores. And its owner Mark Methe is quick to point out they still buy vinyl records.

Los Angeles, CA | Math professor’s fortune is pure vinyl: …But prior to getting into the academic life, Pumar had been stockpiling on vinyl records since the age of 16. “I had a friend in high school, whose parents gave him all of their old records, and I was at his house. As soon as I saw a record on the table, in motion, producing music, I got utterly fascinated and it’s been a total obsession ever since,” Pumar said. Pumar has accumulated a massive collection of 1,214 Vinyl’s [“Vinyls” is not a word. The plural of vinyl is in fact, vinyl. —Ed.] and said that choosing one favorite is hard. He said his collection is worth anywhere between 16,000 or 40,000 dollars. His most prized pieces of his collection are the ones where he got to meet the artist and have them sign his vinyl. “All the signed ones I have are priceless, because there is that interaction there where I got to meet the artist.” Pumar said.

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Washington, DC | Skip Groff, record store owner who presided over a D.C. punk paradise, dies at 70: “…Sometimes you go into a record store, and the person behind the counter makes you feel like you have trespassed,” said MacKaye, who co-founded Dischord Records and led bands including Minor Threat and Fugazi. “And sometimes the owner, or the person behind the counter, makes you feel like he was wondering what took you so long. I put Skip in the latter.” Mr. Groff maintained a wide selection of country and western rarities, rock and new-wave classics, obscure metal singles from Britain and Canada, and a smattering of Top 40 hits. He had initially planned to specialize in late-’60s rock and psychedelia, but his focus shifted with the rise of punk rock in England, which Mr. Groff visited several times each year to buy records. “When you start selling 15 to 20 Buzzcocks or X-Ray Spex records and one Beatles record, your ideas get changed around pretty quickly…”

Washington, DC | ‘Skip, we love you’: Remembering a pillar of D.C.’s punk scene: My father took me there first. I was 11 years old when we visited Yesterday & Today Records, an inauspicious storefront tucked on the side of the Sunshine Square shopping center in Rockville, Md. A music-loving kid, I’d haunted plenty of record stores at the mall, but when my Dad and I walked into Yesterday & Today, I could tell that it was a different creature. The store was bursting with thousands of LPs and singles, its walls adorned with faded posters and other ephemera. Crate-diggers sifted through bins of rare records — a bounty of rock-and-roll, but also loads of jazz, R&B, and more — with prices handwritten on big orange stickers. The store’s owner, Skip, effortlessly dispensed knowledge about his inventory to customers as if he were feeding koi. They looked to him expectantly, waiting for advice on what obscure, limited-edition vinyl gem they should try next. It was my first proper record-store experience. And Skip Groff was at the center of it.

Vinyl Sales Grow 500% In 5 Years: It’s been said over the last few years that vinyl is making a come back. As music becomes more digitized and accessible, there are some who argue it loses its individuality. And apparently there is some truth to their opinion- at least on the market side of the music industry. According to DJ Mag, “research conducted alongside online record shop Norman Records” confirms a 500% jump in vinyl record sales since 2013. Whether this resurgence in vinyl is due to many individuals’ discerning taste in music or just the hype over vinyl is uncertain. But one thing is. There’s never been a better time for vinyl salesmen or die-hard old school vinyl heads. The ability to have practically any track pressed at the drop of a dime is undoubtedly helping as well!

Tampa Bay, FL | Rock Out: Record time. Surely you’ve heard the news that Daddy Kool Records is moving off downtown St. Pete’s 600 block, so why not help lighten their load at their sidewalk sale on Saturday? You’ll find tons of used LPs, CDs, old concert posters, books, magazines and other music-related stuff. They’ll have another sale on March 23, just ahead of their closing on March 31. The store reopens in the new location in the Warehouse Arts District (2430 Terminal Drive S) on April 13, which is Record Store Day. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 666 Central Ave. daddykool.com. Make a day of it and head over to Planet Retro Records’ St. Pete Punk Rock Flea Market. The curated indie flea will feature instruments, posters, books, ‘zines, collectibles, vintage clothing, decor and toys and art. It’s a family- and pet-friendly party with live music and DJs, food (vegan, too!) and drinks. Noon to 5 p.m. at 226 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. planetretrorecords.com.

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Washington, DC | Remembering DC Music Legend Skip Groff: A local musician looks back on his time as an employee—and customer—of Groff’s record store Yesterday and Today. A trip to Yesterday and Today Records was nothing short of a pilgrimage for a teenage suburban music fan like me in 1983. Two Ride On buses and a short hike up Rockville Pike got me from my family’s house in Kensington to a cramped storefront in a strip mall behind the Entenmann’s outlet, across from Heavenly Ham. In this unlikely location, amid the sprawl, sat an oasis filled with tens of thousands of records: LPs and a massive selection of 7” 45s—punk records, pop records, hit records, obscure records. At the center of the chaos, surrounded by these records he loved so much, was owner Skip Groff, who died Monday at age 70. He is survived by his wife Kelly and daughter Kirsty, named for British pop singer Kirsty MacColl. As my band Velocity Girl was getting started in the early 1990s I worked at the store on and off for a couple years. Skip had a profound impact on me as a musician, and I am glad to have been his friend.

Orlando, FL | Brothers, Jazz Cats, and Smokers: Music and Cannabis at Florida’s Foundation Records: Cool is a loose ideology, set by those who stand at its forefront. But its core can be seen inside Foundation—a small, unassuming record store that specializes in vintage clothing, vinyl, and insightful conversation with two unpretentious brothers. Located in the College Park neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, Alex and Peter Cohen have curated a spot with “cool” as its main descriptor. A lone clothing rack stands outside the storefront to entice curious passersby. Their window is slightly blocked by cassette tapes, stereos, and old toys (like a Steve Urkel doll). And if their door is open, best believe a slight fragrance of warm tobacco is wafting outside, along with the sounds of whatever psych rock or funk record Alex or Peter are gawking over for the week.

Wokingham, UK | Wokingham Town Centre’s Peach Place announces more independent businesses to open: Independent shops will be appearing at a new town centre development, promising to be a ‘home to niche businesses that will set it apart from the norm’. A bakery and tea room, vinyl record shop and a craft beer bar will be opening their doors to Peach Place, Wokingham Town Centre. Shoppers will get to enjoy a range of pastries and cakes at The Blue Orchid Bakery and Tea Room, or try a craft beer at Sit and Sip. As well as the Leafy Elephant already being announced at the towns first indepedent gin bar, residents will also get to discover their favourite vinyl at Beyond the Download record shop. Councillor Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration, said: “I am very pleased to welcome another three great new independents to the town.

Nottingham, UK | Historic CD and vinyl shop The Music Inn celebrates its 100th anniversary. The shop, formerly known as Papworth’s, used to be based in Alfreton Road: Whether it was on vinyl, CD or cassette, everybody remembers the first album they bought. For many people in Nottingham that piece of music would have been purchased from The Music Inn, or as it was previously known, Papworth’s, in Alfreton Road. The company has witnessed for itself the decline in physical music sales over the last few years but unlike many of its competitors has weathered the storm. Today, owner David Rose is able to take stock of his family-run firm, now based in the West End Arcade, as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. He said: “Its marvellous to have that continuation of history. “I get people coming in every week saying ‘I remember buying this off your dad’ and that sort of thing. It is a wonderful thing to have and there can’t be too many businesses that can say that. It’s lovely to have this shared history.”

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Washington, DC | Record store owner, early DC punk producer Skip Groff dies at 70: Skip Groff, whose Yesterday & Today record store in a strip shopping center in Rockville, Maryland, became ground zero in the early days of D.C.’s punk and alternative music scenes, has died at age 70. Groff’s wife of 31 years, Kelly Groff, told WTOP that her husband had a seizure at their Montgomery County home Monday night. He died at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Born Frank Groff in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1948, his wife said Groff and his parents had lived on an Air Force base, and settled in Suitland, Maryland, when he was in fifth or sixth grade. “His mom called him Skipper when he was little,” Kelly Groff said. “At some point, he needed a radio name,” so Skip stuck.

Stroud, UK | Record shop to celebrate one year with acoustic duo: A record shop is celebrating its first year in Nailsworth this month with two exciting events. Ahead of the international Record Store Day in April, Sanctuary Music at 42 Nailsworth Mills is hosting an acoustic duo on Thursday, February 28 from 5pm to 8pm. ‘Wars Against Reality’ comprises fiancés Josh, who is 23 and has just completed as degree in music production, having been playing guitar since the age of 8, and Aria, who is 19 and has had a passion for singing for as long as she can remember. The store also has plans for Record Store Day 2019 itself on Saturday, April 13 – Sanctuary Music will be announcing its line-up of artists, musicians and activities shortly.

Discogs sold almost 11 million records last year: Online vinyl marketplace Discogs sold almost 11 million records in 2018. Doubling up as a record year for the website, it 10,912,527 items across the year – a 8.6% sales increase over 2017. The figures were revealed as part of the company’s annual Data and Trends report. A rare, Canadian production copy of Prince’s ‘Black Album’ was a record-breaking individual sale at $27,500, while a copy of Sex Pistols ‘God Save the Queen’ went for $15,822. Sales of cassettes, meanwhile, saw a 24.08% increase over 2018. In terms of genres, electronic music accounted for 10.01% of sales, coming in second to rock music, which claimed 15.29% of the overall total.

Queens, NY | CARIBBEAT: Queens-based VP Records marks 40 years of successfully spreading Caribbean reggae, dancehall and soca music around the world: Happy, happy 40th birthday to VP Records — the Caribbean-rooted mom-and-pop music store that grew into the world’s largest independent recording company for reggae, dancehall and soca music, based in Jamaica, Queens. The company — originally started as a small store in Kingston, Jamaica, by the late Vincent (Randy) Chin and his wife, Patricia Chin — will be celebrating its four decades with a yearlong list of activities in the U.S., Toronto and London. “VP is integral to the history of reggae and dancehall music. We take this responsibility seriously and we are using our 40th anniversary to celebrate the music’s rich heritage as we steward the genre into the future,” said Randy Chin, the co-founders’ son who runs the firm with his mother and brother Christopher.

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