With an unprecedented 182 shops confirmed to take place and a huge list of exclusive releases to hunt down, Purple Revolver is counting down the hours to this year’s Record Store Day.
Making its debut in 2007 when more than 700 independent stores in the United States banded together to celebrate their unique place in music, Record Store Day has grown to become a huge phenomenon.
The UK version swiftly followed in 2008 and Saturday April 16th will see the third year the independent sector is celebrated. Ultra-exclusive vinyl and CD releases and other promotions are planned for the day, with Dundee indie rockers The View providing this years’ official UK anthem for the event, a cover of Eighties’ power pop anthem I Want That Record.
The event is backed by record companies large and small, ranging from the likes of EMI and Sony on to fledgling independent companies and specialist labels. As organizer Spencer Hickman says, “The line-up is very strong as you would expect with underground and alternative releases, but the addition of artists like Arctic Monkeys, Ozzy Osbourne, Tinie Tempah and even Lady Gaga shows that Record Store Day really has something for everyone.”
A staggering 251 exclusive releases to be unveiled on the day have been announced. Some of the highlights include, a 7” vinyl white label by Arctic Monkeys – Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair, a 12” picture disc of Lady Gaga’s recent hit Born This Way, a 7” of Ozzy Osbourne classic Flying High Again, a 10” vinyl reissue of The Smiths’ seminal LP The Queen is Dead and Tinie Tempah’s Wonderman newly available on 7” vinyl.
The nearest port of call for anyone in Liverpool is the legendary Probe Records on School Lane and 3B Records on nearby Slater St, which caters for dance music fans. With Probe recently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the shop will be a hive of activity this coming Saturday.
Stay tuned to Purple Revolver for more coverage on Record Store Day as the event unfolds on Saturday April 16th.
Check out recordstoreday.co.uk for information on participating stores and in-store events.