Today is International Record Store Day.
My participation started at the turn of the clock late last night/early this morning.
Criminal Records on Queen St. West had a special, semi-secret opening at 12:00 a.m. for regular customers, with a large number of the special releases available in limited quantity (this ensured that people who came when the store opened this morning wouldn’t be shut out). My friend and I went over at about 11:45 p.m. and there was already a lineup of about thirty people. Worse yet, winter’s brief return to Toronto this weekend left those of us standing in line to contend with unexpectedly cold temperatures (about two or three degrees). Fortunately, once we got inside at around 12:35 a.m., I was able to grab the three releases I wanted:
- Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros – Global A Go-Go (12″ vinyl)
- Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros – Streetcore (12″ vinyl)
- Ted Leo and The Pharmacists – “The Oldest House” / “North Coast” (7″ vinyl)
This morning, I woke up and headed down to Rotate This! I picked up a copy of the new Plants and Animals record, La La Land, which doesn’t come out officially until April 20.
After making a brief stop back in at Criminal to check out the sales on regular stock, my friend and I headed up to Sonic Boom. I picked up a copy of the Stephen Merritt (of The Magnetic Fields)/Peter Gabriel Record Store Day split 7″.
Unfortunately, the Bon Iver/Peter Gabriel split 7″ was not made available at all in Canada. I would have liked to get my hands on that.
All in all though, a successful haul and a fun way to spend a Saturday.
Did you get a download code for that Ted Leo?
GIVE IT TO ME!
Sadly, no download code for the seven-inch. You’re a resourceful Internet user though. I suspect you’ll find it quicker than I do!