Record Store Day 2010

Today (April 17th) was Record Store Day 2010. Quite a few special records/reissues out there; some I wanted, but more than that, it was just nice to see the Independent Record Stores that are still around, hanging in there and even more Record labels embracing it year by year.

I stopped by Mad Platter around the corner and saw their wide selection of Record Store Day specials; including a live Elvis Costello EP, Live Flogging Molly single, reissue of an early Soundgarden single, and much much more. I went mostly to look around and enjoy the largely vinyl embrace of the day. While there I did happen to find a copy of the Record Store Day Ted Leo & the Pharmicists 7inch single, which would have made my day by itself. Then I saw the boxed set above. I had to have it.

I have wanted that Rjd2 box set since I learned of its impending release last year. When it dropped (fall '09), there was no way I could pick it up. Most places had it retailing in the $60-70 range (not inc. shipping of the box). It was cheaper than that, on-sale, and a discount for the special day. Rjd2 (Ramble John Krohn) is a DJ/multi-instrumentalist from Ohio. I've been hooked since first hearing his soul laden solo debut Deadringer. It was a hip hop record that could have been recorded by a live band with some drum machine assistance.

The box includes the Deadringer LP (12inch x2), the Horror EP (12inch), Since We Last Spoke LP (12inch x2), and Tin Foil Hat EP (12inch - unreleased until the box set), Hand Silk Screened & signed poster, & a download card for the albums. The box also comes with the records packed with cardboard to pack them and make room for the Third Hand LP & Colossus LP (unreleased at the time the box was released). Pretty awesome and well put together.

My day was not without further Record Store Day adventuring; I made my way to local landmark, Dr. Strange Records. I managed to pick up a Record Store Day live Hot Water Music 7inch and talk up a storm with Bill (Doc) and the other staff and have a general awesome time. I really should not be allowed there unsupervised.

...Here's One for the Record Store...

Rjd2 box set with the records out + the original Horror 12inch single b/w Final Frontier (Remix)

"Caesar Dog Food... for small Yapper type dogs"

This was left for me by Lindsey, to deal with after she left for work Saturday morning at 6:30 in the AM. Real delightful right? She put the fatty in a small yapper dog striped, pink polo shirt and pissed her off. Daphne was not pleased to be dressed in dog clothes.

She walked sideways, jumped, and eventually tormented relentlessly, Bear (our other Mackerel Tabby; considerably smaller, yet older than her).

What you see above is Daphne, early in the whole ordeal, staring me down from the shoe stand, right after Lindsey had left for work. It looks cute, but the eyes say "Dude, she's gone and you know I don't like this... so fix it!"

I eventually freed her from her shirt; though she had quite adapted by then; because she had gone wonky and was pinning Bear down and pummeling him. Without the shirt she resumed being her ornery self and galloped from room to room like a small stampede of horses.

"I got an Ant Farm, them fellas didn't grow shit!" Mitch Hedberg July 18, 2003 on XM Stand Up, Sit Down

Mitch Hedberg was a stand-up comic in the late 1990's - mid-2000's. With a style that consisted of short one-liner jokes and observations of absurd situations; all delivered with an abrupt delivery that became Mitch's trademark.

Unfortunately, Mitch passed away in early 2005. Before dying he had recorded 2 CD's ("Strategic Grill Locations" & "Mitch All Together") and was working on a third CD. In 2008, a CD was culled from recordings Mitch was doing for the new CD; "Do You Believe in Gosh?" Mitch had also started crossing over into acting, including spots in Almost Famous & Lords of Dogtown.

I remember hearing Mitch about a year before he died; the local record store was playing "Mitch All Together" because it had just come out. I heard his bit about contractions/do not disturb signs and was sold.

One of the things left behind was an interview Mitch did in 2003 with the XM Radio show "Stand Up, Sit Down." In the hour of the broadcast, the interview is inter sped with tracks from the first cd as well as material from an unreleased show. Enjoy the interview as it has some really funny stories from Mitch as well as his wife, Lynn.

I have some unreleased Mitch sets & other interviews that will see daylight in this blog as well.

Enjoy! Mitch Hedberg interview & stand-up


Some videos as an added bonus:

"Read Your Bible, Smoke Your Bong" Pukes Discography '98-'99

Seeing as how I just did a Biography over at LastFM I will just do a little bit here and link the lastfm profile. Pukes were a local Riverside band with a ties to a lot of other local bands, including the long running WC/Rotting Stiffs

This band was full of good friends of mine who played fun shows and was exactly what you would expect; teenage punk rock with a HC Punk feel. Fake blood, Misfits influence, snot, sarcasm, and some 16 year old's ideas of wit. Most of the time it worked, sometimes it flopped. Looking back more than 10 years later, the Split songs still resonate with me. Unfortunately, the "unreleased lp" tracks were recorded with a slightly different line-up and Bryan (singer) was sick. It shows. However, "Fuck James Dean" still comes through and its nice to have "This Place" as it holds a lot of fond memories and reminders of some of the few bright spots of high school.

Fuck James Dean was originally "Destroy", when Rudy left it became FJD. Same music, diff. lyrics. This Place was also a Rudy song, but it remained, and if memory serves it was mostly intact from when he sang it. Riverside Chaos was a joke directed at exactly the type of song that it is. I believe that local band Narcoleptic Youth actually took a shot at the Pukes in an interview referencing the reasoning behind their song "Banks Go Bust." A bit ironic.

more info: http://www.last.fm/music/Pukes

The songs should have info. embedded in them, but in case they don't (or you aren't that savvy):

All tracks recorded 1998 - 1999

Vocals: Bryan
Bass, Vocals: Rudy (1,2,4,9,12)
Guitar, Vocals: Kenny
Drums: Nick
Bass: Dan (3,5-8,10,11,13-15)

1,2,4,9 from "Riverside Chaos" Split EP w/ WC/Rotting Stiffs

12 from unreleased End of the World Records comp & sourced from a 10-12 year old 1st gen. dubbed tape

3, 5-8, 10, 11, 13-15 from unreleased full length lp


PUKES "Discography 1998 - 1999" (DOWNLOAD)

"i'm so tired i can't sleep..."

BLOG IS BEING RE-TOOLED... as of April 2010 this is going to be a bit of Hodgepodge. Still plenty of music; probably mostly music related, but it's going to be a little more loose and contain more content other than just downloads. As my grandmother said when we were kids... sit down, shut up, and hold on... nicely said, of course.