“I used to maniacally rock back and forth on my rocking horse while listening to The Police, Zenyatta Mondatta around the age of 3.”
“The Beatles and members’ solo albums were my favorites though, especially McCartney II and The White Album. Christmas 1984: I knew there was a new Paul McCartney record coming out and asked for it. Even as a 5 year old, I realized “Give My Regards To Broad Street” was a horrible album and found myself looking at the weird pictures in the gatefold more than listening to it (I think there’s a picture of Linda McCartney riding a Pegasus?)
My high school years fell during the reign of the CD, but I still found myself picking up random things here and there on LP, despite not having a record player at the time. I had a moderately healthy collection but it really picked up when I started working at Grimey’s. I didn’t realize it until my wife (who balances the check book) pointed out that every time I worked a shift, I came home with records.
There was a point where it was a legitimate addiction and I was buying and hanging onto records that were more “vanity” pieces because of their rarity, value, etc (Silver Apples’ first LP on Kapp, original UK mono Beatles pressings, etc).
Record shopping is my main pastime when we’re out on tour. There’s always going to be stores that stick out, but my favorites always end up being in random cities like Pensacola or Lansing. Amoeba and places of that ilk (which are amazing stores) are always going to be able to charge a premium because they have heavier traffic.
The only explanation I have for the increased popularity of LPs goes back to tangibility. Computers have taken a lot of that out of life. If you only shop on Ebay you won’t experience what it’s like flipping through a bin of records and finding something you’ve been looking for unexpectedly (I’ve been known to breakdance in public.)”
—Rollum Haas, Drums, Grimey’s employee
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