Record Store Day can be viewed many different ways. It can be seen as a method to celebrate and create revenue for places that operate as community hubs. The cynical can mock it as a vehicle for for the music industry to hock limited edition items from a bulk of bands that no one really needs including record stores. Or one could say: every day is record store day.
Well, since record store day is Saturday(April 18) and this paper is released on Thursday, I went to a few record stores and asked them to show me music from the general vicinity with the intention of reviewing said releases.
These are not record store day releases.
The first stop was Magnolia Thunderpussy located at 1155 N. High Street near 5th in the Short North. I ran into Charlotte Kubat whose family owns the store. I used to work at Magnolia so I know Charlotte decently. We made small talk, and then she showed me the “local” section.
I saw a seven Inch by Moxy. DJ Moxy is someone I’ve seen deejay a zillion times in many different settings around Columbus going back to the Sweatin' Parties in the late oughts, but never heard the music she actually produces.
Moxy: Take You Out EP
Dark Room Records
Side A of the 45 is called “Take You Out,” which has a person whispering over atmospheric tones with a nebulous invitation. This sequences into a paced drum and a saxophone blended with ambient textures. You could probably use this as sex music if the whispering person didn’t terrify your partner during the intro. Side B is called “Sextasy.” There is no whispering person. “Sextasy” has an urging drum-hit mixed with some dark sounds that reflect this song's title. The “Take You Out” EP culminates with “WHWHWHUH” which is a series of back-masked voices and possibly a lion. Overall this EP is obscure in a venereal manner that is not annoying.
I headed to Roots Records next which is located at 1357 N. High Street on the edge of the Short North near South Campus. Jenny Donaldson, and Jah Shaolin were working. I work at Roots on and off so I know these people. I hadn’t been there in a little while though.
They informed me that for RSD, Roots will have lots of exclusive RSD titles as well as guest DJ's, snacks and beer. They will also have some cool stuff on sale like CDs and t-shirts.
Jenny and Josh recommend two Ohio reggae CDs
The Ark Band - Fire Dub
“I had three spliffs now I am down to two,” the Ark Band’s lead singer M. Hunter starts off “RastaFAR I On My Mind,” over a slightly melancholy but upbeat rhythm. There is a guitar solo riff type thing in the background that you only hear in pop music or really polished music for stoners.
TheArk Band’s been putting out music since 87.
Later in the song, Mark Hunter reflects on the casualties of the drug war, mortality, family, spirituality and general perils of Babylon.
There are 11 songs on Fire Dub so I can’t get into all of them.
I can say that every-time dude says something like, “I wish I was an elephant so I can live out in in the wild” he follows up with a commentary about unfortunate incarnations.
I guess my point is, these dudes have been playing all-over town, as well as the country, and they manage to be outlandish to a general middle-America sensibility in your traditional Reggae manner, and then bring everything back to the real problems the poor face here with succinct literal moments.
And the music is profesh while spreading the rastaman’s message of freedom and love.
After Roots, I walked down to Johnny Go’s House of Music located at 1900 N. High Street. I asked Mr. Petric if he could recommend some “local” music. Petric gave a thumbs down, and continued to eat from a bag of Cheetos. While I am writing about “local” music as you read. I must say this was the highlight of my week.
Next Up was Used Kids. They will have Dominique LeRue, J. Rawls, Plus, Ego Gone & the Sun Dogs, (((reverbalines))), EYE, Comrade Question, Stylestar, Red Feathers and The American Jobs performing next to free pizza and beverages.
I made small talk with Bret Lewis and Used Kids’ owner Greg and stumbled upon:
The Official Post Industrial Noise Anthology
Crispy Nuggets/Medical Records
Post-Industrial Noise was a three piece synth/minimal wave band that played around town in 1982. Two of the members went on to form another band called Near Paris. You know how minimal wave can either be really good, or a chaotic layers that never quite lands.
Well, Post-Industrial Noise builds in the correct places at the right pace.
The vocals of Dana Riash fit perfectly. Whether it’s the tense “Sketch,” or the minor-key shimmering dual vocal “Survivalist” the comp starts off strong and never really fails.
I had to rewind the lyrics on “Compartment Life.” When Dana sings “Where there was farmland/now there is department stores” or “I’m on the patio balcony view/ the women next store is cruising you” one can imagine a feeling of being young and watching early 80’s Columbus develop.
Songs like “Think” and “Symphony of a Mind” are more internal reflective and cautionary.
On the whole, If I said this thing sounds like if Suicide sounded like Juan Mcclain with a bit more pep than Adult; you might say alright that's vague.
But my point is this could’ve come out three years ago or 33 years ago and it still would be good and relevant.
On the way home, I ran into Ron House who just finished having a record sale. We discussed slavery. He is against it: for the record.
Next up: RPM Records located at 2579 N. High Street. I got there right when the place was closing so I didn’t purchase. They will stock RSD releases and have a sale.
I made general question about Columbus Hip Hop on vinyl. But to be fair the cycle of releases from Blueprint, J. Rawls, Envelope and the rest of our city's rap artists who press vinyl was not in bloom so the question was not really fair.
RPM has a huge selection of music.
I ended my trek at Lost Weekend Records located at 2960 N. High Street. Lost Weekend is doing a four day sale. On Saturday they will have a food truck, RSD releases, shirt printing, ticket giveaways as well as test pressing for the Columbus Blood Comp, Kizzy Hall, and a Lost Weekend Psychic Wheels 45 “Sane To Me/Off The Wire” release which Kyle gave me. Matt Horseshit produced both sides, and Kyle -wrote the b-side “Off The Wire.”