Pick up/Christmas 2012

Tigers Jaw- "Two Worlds"- Run For Cover Records- Light Blue/400 (1st press)
Polar Bear Club- "Clash Battle Guilt Pride"- Bridge 9- Marbled Gray/Red/1000 (1st press)
Rocky Votolato- "Self-Titled"- Second Nature Recordings- Opaque Yellow/Solid Orange w/ Solid Red Splatter/270 (1st press)
Saves The Day- "In Reverie"- Dreamworks- Blacky vinyl/??? (SEALED, which I opened, DUH)
Quarters Volume Two Comp. 7" w/ The Casket Lottery, etc- Atarms Mechanics- Clear Blue/???

So heres what I got recently. Felt like getting some Polar Bear Club so I have picked up the two recently LPs for a solid price.

I am a very large fan of Rocky Votolato. For some reason I had completely neglected his very first self titled release. Don't even have it in Mp3 format, which I also could not find up for Download anywhere to preview! Saw this up and grabbed it for instore price. How cool the vinyl is was worth the gamble. Have to give it a few more spins.

The Quarters Volume 2 Comp 7" not only gives me the "collection" of having both 1 and 2 BUT IT COMPLETES MY CASKET LOTTERY COLLECTION! This is a HUGE deal! A perk is it also being on clear blue which was not in the auction title at all.

Lastly, this Christmas was a great one. My loving girl friend with the help of a friend resulted in my current possession of the largely saught after "In Reverie". I was taken back as I opened it not believing my own eyes as I read the spine before completely unwrapping it. A true shock and surprise that was not expected. It feels strange to own it. After chalking it up(with many others) to something you've already excepted you will probably just never own. What hurts most is i'm sure she paid a lot for it and for it to come in with a price sticker from Hot Topic on it which read "10.99" stings!

Pick ups

Dan Andriano In the Emergency Room- "Hurricane Season"-Asian Man Records-Black/500
Polar bear club- "Chasing Hamburg"- Bridge 9 Records- Gold/2000
Title fight- "Floral Green"- Side One Dummy- Green/2350(Technically 2500 but 150 have Record Release covers)
Quarters volume One Comp. 7" w/ Small Brown Bike, etc- Atarms Mechanics- Clear Red/???

These are the recent grabs. Great prices for all. The Quarters Volume 1 comp cuts my small brown bike collection down to just 1 more 7" and it is complete!

The Dan Adriano record I had downloaded when it came out and didnt think much of it. A friend of mine purchased the pre-order package(a big fan) and has 3 or 4 of the colors and decided to just give me the black copy. Gave it a few more spins and its not so bad. I really love the last song "From This Oil Can", sort of reminds me of Rocky Votolatos "streetlights".

Title Fight is a band that is huge right now. Personally never really took to them. Tried to give "Shed" a chance to see what all the hooplah was about and I didnt really enjoy it. Thought half of it was okay. The more hardcore rough edged songs didnt grab me but the more alternative indie-esque tunes did. I may revisit it. Gave them another shot with "Floral Green". A friend of mine told me that some magazine(i think he said SPIN) or whatever had compaired it to Sunny Day Real Estate. Although that compairson is completely flase and innacurate it was enough to peak my interest. Highly enjoyable record. Only dislike 1 song on it. Was lucky enough to find it on Green vynil since I am 2 months or so late and it has been repressed on black.

Pick ups

All under $10 or under, can't go wrong!

1. Reggie and the full effect- "greatest hits 84-87"-second nature recordings-clear orange/316 (2nd press)
2. Alkaline Trio- "Agony and Irony"-Epic-black 180g/???
3. Bayside- "Sirens and Condolences"-Victory Records- marble yellow/525
4. The Casket Lottery- "Real Fear"-No sleep records- Translucent Light Blue/300

I really like how the Blue came out on the new Casket Lottery. When ordering I was sort of like blue transparent, bleh, but I actually really enjoy it. Looks like the Touche Amore split 7" just not pink.

Went back on my Bayside speal, whatever! Had second thoughts and remembered I actually really enjoy the songs on that record. Plus the price was too right.

Fond memories with that Reggie LP. I had a friend in high school that I met in my English class in freshman year. He wore a different Metallica shirt everyday and love megadeth, pink floyd and shit like that. I also at the time loved hardcore. I scribbled band names on my folder like Hatebreed, Converge, Floorpunch, etc but I also dig tunes like Get up kids, Elliott, hot rod circuit and The Anniversary, some how we got a talking and ended up buds and from there he went from a dude who loved Metallica to a dude who loved all kinds of Emo stuff. Then ventured off on his own to love more instrumental stuff like Mogwai, album leaf, etc. I think he's the one who got me into explosions in the sky. All this is rather useless info but to the story, he had this tiny ass geo metro or something, we used to spin it out into snow banks in the school lot for fun and he put a sound system in it for whatever reason and we used to crank the bass just to see who could get nauseated first. Anytime we would roll up to a light and someone next to us was pumping rap real hard we'd blast "doot doot pause doot doot" crank the bass and look over and be all like "sup fool".

Pick ups

Death Cab For Cutie- "Transatlanticism"- Grand Hotel Van Cleef- 180g black/???
Pedro the Lion- "Control"- Jade Tree- Re-master/Re-press- Black/???
Pedro the Lion- "Achilles Heel"- Jade Tree- Re-master/Re-press- Black/???
The Casket Lottery/Touché Amorè 7"- No Sleep Records- transparent pink/500

For those who may not know, Jade Tree reissued every Pedro The Lion LP release in late October/November. If you didn't ever feel like paying for the originals, they are now avaible again. Black vinyl remastered by TW Walsh. You can probably find them anywhere!

Death Cabs "Transatlanticism" has been OOP for a long while now, supposedly. While both the original Sonic Boom version and German version on Grand Hotel Van Cleef usually go for a bit of money someone must have hit a dead stock somewhere. Out of the "10 available" I ended up picking this up for still a little more than I would have liked to spend on it BUT a few dollars more than some double LPs come out for now a days depending on the label but still a very fair price compaired to what it could or would go for.

Not so big on 7" records but the Casket Lottery/Touche Amore split is a collection completer. Its packaging is pretty unique(and slightly annoying, ha). Dont think I have come across any origami-esque layouts before. I feel like I should get it unfolded and instead of lyrics and credits it should say "do you like me? YES/NO". Overall the record came out great!

Pick ups

The Smiths- "Louder Than Bombs" 2xLP- Sire Records-180 Gram Black/???-Remaster/Import
Bayside- "The Walking Wounded"- Victory Records- Aqua swirl/200- 1st press
The Get Up Kids- "Four Minute Mile"- Doghouse Records- Blue splatter/250- 15th Anniversaty Edition

Although the Smiths LP is very costly(retail somewhere around $34-40+) I found a really good deal and picked this up. I figure everyone should own a Smiths record on vynil. Just so happens that this one is my favortie "album". I love so many songs on this record.

There was a time that I REALLY liked Bayside. Some where along the past couple years things have changed. They were there when I needed them and now, well, I just dont. "Walking Wounded" however is my favored from the band. Their previous 2 full lengths are also great records, so it is an arguable choice for many but for me, this record is it. Despite falling off it is always good to have your favorites just in case.

Get up Kids "Four Minute Mile" just about fits into the Smiths catergory. You just gotta have it. WHY this is only being added to my collection now, there is almost no reasonable explanation. My sister owned it a while back when she was a teen and I was even younger. I always remember it. Although not my favorite get up kids release, sometimes you just need some rough around the edges early 90s tunes. Scored this for retial price sealed. Sadly it got a little roughed up on the way to me. Seam splits and some creasing due to the mailer looking as though it was smooshed. There is a first time for everything and this is the first rough copy I've gotten in the mail. Little disappointing but what can you do?

Pick ups

1. Moving Mountains- "Waves"-Triple Crown Records-White/???
2. Quicksand- "Slip"- Shop Radio Cast-Green/Yellow Swirl 180 Gram/500- 2nd press
3. Hot Rod Circuit- If Its Cool With You,Its Cool With Me- Big Wheel Recreation- Clear Green/???
4. Elliott- If They Do 7"- Initial Records- White/400
5. Elliott- Will You 7"- Revelation Records- Clear Pink/219

Pretty pleased with all these pick ups! HRC is an awesome nostalgic release for me. One of the first CDs I learned how to drum to when I was 16. Haven't spun it much in a long time but now that I own it on vinyl it is sure to get more play.

For those who may not be aware, Shop Radio Cast/Dine Alone Records took it upon themselves to RE-release Quicksands "Slip" on vynil. Not so bizarre timing considering the reunion shows recently. Single LP, gatefold jacket. First press from SRC is already sold out(2 colors first press) and I am not sure about Dine Alone(Black vinyl only). Dont worry though, a second press is already due soon from SRC. So get over there if you have not yet.

Moving Mountains is a release I decided too late that I would like to own it on vynil, so I missed it! One of the "new" bands out there that I acutally like(not to mention its a Casket Lottery LP title). Very little info on this release. Triple Crown releases tend to be super vague. After looking and looking for a version priced right, I now have it!

Words cannot express how stoked I am to FINALLY have these Elliott 7" inches. Its been a long wait and search. After losing a couple along away due to a price tag I couldnt break myself to pay 2 of the 3 I need to polish off the Elliott collection are now in my possession. Very fair price for "if they do" from a nice dude in VA who was selling some excellent stuff who said "I'll probably regret it later" and I won "will you" from a euro who titled the auction wrong, Needless to say that was a total steal, I actually felt a little bad.

Anyone coming across this, if you have Elliotts "in transit" 7" on either white or clear, contact me, somehow.

Drum Kit Idea #6: Vintage

Its been a very long time since I have thought of a drum kit idea, atleast a coherent one. I think about drums on a daily basis!

Since getting my custom it has all gone a little quiet in the thrashing sea that is my brain. I would be lying if I said I wasn't already thinking of a new kit as my current one was being birthed. So, I wont lie!

I have bounced a few ideas around in my mind and I was pretty much dead set on my next set up if i ever have the opportunity or god willing, the money! Slowly things have been starting to turn and the original idea started to morph. I want something vintage.

The original idea was red glitter, Natural claw style("hide a head") hoops with red glitter inlays and brass tube lugs. Pondered on the thought of no glitter at all and just using a stain, possibly no inlay on the hoops at all. Thinking of what color stain had my head hurting! As time went on the vintage idea started to creep in and make itself at home. More and more I was looking at different kits and thinking about most common vintage sizes, looks and styles. Stripping the proverbial onion to a much simpler, basic and easy form. Not to mention inlays, brass and wood hoops also equal more money and the odds of myself ever actually falling into a good situation and getting this created are slim. So with basic and simple comes more affordable. There isnt anything wrong with that either.

C&C posted this kit on instagram and at 7:30am half awake I said "THATS IT!". With thinking vintage I have been trying to decided whether or not to go the super old school route with single lugs in the middle of the drums. A friend of mine had bought an early 60's KENT kit for himself to try to get a band going, i used the KENT rig to try out and thats when my band Fortune Healers was born. The Kent kit had all single lugs on the rack tom and snare.

Notes to self: Kick- Maple poplar maple with walnut outter/Floor-walnut poplar walnut.
red mohogany based stain on walnut.

The C&C kit is PERFECT. Beavertail lugs is my choice for sure when it comes to vintage. This kit has single beavertails on the floor and regulars on the kick. Really digging the singles! Instead of red glitter, im going for a hue of red stain. Not too sure exactly what this color is but I asked if a Cherry stain would have the same result. Cutting down from wood hoops on all drums to just naturals on the kick with a matching inlay from the kit. I personally would not get a banana rail. This kit is a solid inbetween from what I was originally thinking about to the new stripped down vintage look.

Here is a picture of a Darkhorse kit with a Cherry stain on it for an example:

As far as sizes go:
24x16 Kick
13x9 Rack
16x14 Floor

Pick ups

1. Motion City Soundtrack- Even If It Kills Me 2xLP- Epitaph Rec.- Black/???
2. Motion City Soundtrack- Commit This To Memory- Epitaph Rec.- Black/???
3. Jimmy Eat World- Bleed American- Universal UK- Black/??? Back to Black Version (Technical 6th press?)
4. Minus The Bear- Infinity Overhead- Dangerbird Records- 180 gram Clear/???

New things that came in! Very vague on all of it, heres the run down!

After trying for many months I just could not win a color copy of Motion City "Commit this to Memory" for the price I was willing to pay, So I gave up after I saw black vinyl copies starting to show up on Ebay as "Tour Edition". Being a smart person I went to Epitaphs webstore and there it was. SO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, BLACK COPIES ON EBAY ARE NOT TOUR EDITION. It sucks seeing people pay $30+ for something that is simply just a repressing on black vinyl that costs $10 from a webstore. I am not sure how to title it since its only my assumption that it is 2nd press on black vinyl. Of course they're selling it on tour, Its a piece of merchandise to be sold! So please if you are reading this, don't be fooled!

Motion Citys "Even if it kills me" is another tough grab that I figured out while looking for "commit this to memory". This LP is also my assumption that it is a 2nd press that will simply never be acknowledged as such. To my knowledge the first pressing of this LP was limited to 1000 and was in a gatefold sleeve sold for around 19.99. This is also in the Epitaph store for only $12 and is in a single LP sleeve. Looking for information quickly just now, I cannot find concrete proof that the first press was actually in a gatefold. I do know that this release was sold out for a minute at one time. Pressing info will most likely just keep climbing in numbers im sure. If theres a market, It will stay in print.

Jimmy Eat Worlds "Bleed American" has recently just been repressed yet again by Universal UK as a single LP(FINALLY!) as a part of a series called BACK TO BLACK. I am so pleased to finally get to own this album on vinyl. I could never see myself paying the money for a first or second press copy and the 3xLP version has never apealed to me considering the A-B side is the ONLY thing that I would listen to out of the 3 LPs. This is an Import release and I was lucky enough to promptly order mine from Shop Radio Cast. I am not sure how to aquire a copy if they are sold out. Good Luck!

Pick ups

Here's what came in this time around! Most of these are current releases, I suggest you seek them out!

Weatherbox "American Art" was just released on vinyl for the first time by youth conspiracy records and can be picked up along with 3/4 of their catalog right now!

The casket lottery just put out a 2 song 7" called "The Door". Its their first set of new songs in 8 years or something like that, so happy their back! The 7" is excellent as well. Nathan Ellis as himself also put a solo 7" to coincide with the new casket lottery release, both are available from No Sleep Records.

Stoked on the small brown bike pick up. I Only need 2 more oldies and I complete my collection!

1. Weatherbox- American Art 2xLP- youth conspiracy records- tan/300
2. Weatherbox- the cosmic drama- doghouse records- blue marble/200?/250?
3. The casket lottery- The Door 7"- No Sleep Records- seafoam green/300
4. Nathan Ellis- S/T 7"- No Sleep Records- opaque blue/300
5. Small Brown Bike- No Place Like You 7"- Salinger Press- black/???

Pick ups

Been getting a lot of cool things in lately! Almost done back tracking and a bunch of more current stuff still to come in. Looking forward to slowing down!

1. Chamberlain- The Moon My Saddle 2xLP- Top Shelf Records- Pink Marble/100 (2nd press)
2. At The Drive-In- In Casino Out- Fearless Records- Clear/1500 (2nd press)
3. The Get up Kids- Something To Write Home About- Doghouse Records- Clear Red/??? (1st press)
4. Alkaline Trio- Good Mourning 2xLP- Vagrant Records- Clear blue/300 (2nd press)

A lot of classics in this one, also a lot of 2nd presses! I would like to hunt down to first single LP presses of chamberlain and alkaline trio. Im more of a fan of single LPs than double but at this point im taking what I can get. Good Mourning like Crimson, isnt THAT hard to come by, though people tend to want a little too much for them. Id take either a black or UK red press of Crimson as well, since i also have the 2xLP of Crimson. Chamberlain also tends to be put up for a big price as well, that no one is going to pay.

Picked up the Get up kids LP for an extremely reasonable price. I dont know why some people are paying the average of $40+ on ebay for the represses on pink and lavender! i picked this up half that with shipping! Brings back memories. My sister used to own this on what i think was black, so i used to put it on from time to time when she'd leave records in my room.

Good Mourning is on clear blue, but it came out a little darker since there is some black mixed in. It isnt listed as "black smoke" but essentically thats what it is.

Finally, Chamberlain, Top Shelf took it upon themselves to repress The Moon My Saddle, "Split Lips" most hated record, but i am pleased! Copies are still available at topshelf if you're into finding out why Kings Of Leon exist!

Vacation.

It's been about 2 years since I've been on vacation. My last vacation was Australia and its also crazy to think its been that long since that trip. Mel had an excellent idea to rent something out for a few days out on Cape Cod since I have never been and at the current moment we are both so happy we did it. Already sorta thinking about next year!

Here's a few shots from our beach side motel room at the Top Mast Resort:
on the beach outside our room

our view from inside our room

this view is from the top of trail you can walk up called bearberry. the beach visible is Ballston beach. this is about 5 minutes away or so from where we were staying.

Pick Ups

1. Verse- Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace- Bridge 9- Half Clear/Half Black-???/Record Release #5/150
2. The Get Up Kids- Red Letter Day 10"- Doghouse Records- Black/500
3. Anthony Raneri- New Cathedrals- Paper + Plastic Records- Coffee sprinkle/200
4. Anthony Raneri- New Cathedrals- Paper + Plastic Records- Clear Yellow/150
5. Milemarker- Anaesthetic- Jade Tree Records- white/1000

The Verse LP I am still waiting to find pressing information for. From what is known, the first pressings are Clear w/ red smoke, half clear/half black and white. There is currently a second press of clear available and due to ship from B9 sometime in August.

Heres the deal on the record release version from what I understand, is that it is just randomly selected copies from the first press colors with a numbered screen print of 150 for the record release show slipped in front of the cover. You could have also just purchased the screen print(NOT numbered) at the show if you wanted to. My version is half black/half clear but a friend of mine also purchased this LP at the show and recieved the clear w/ red smoke vinyl. I DO NOT know if any white copies were tossed in the 150 record release version mix. All info I can find out at some point or I am sure will surface soon in which I will update this accordingly.

Saves The Day Pick Ups

One day I decided that I would like Saves The Day LPs. So, I went out and bought them!

1. Saves The Day- Daybreak- Razor & Tie- 180 gram Black/1000 (1st press)
2. Saves The Day- Stay What You Are- Vagrant/Cobraside- Clear Blue/300 2nd Press (Shop Radio Cast exclusive)
3. Saves The Day- Under The Boards- Vagrant/Cobraside- Clear Green/300
4. Saves The Day- Sound The Alarm- Vagrant/Cobraside- White/300 (VC Exclusive)

Now I guess you could say I had a streak of good luck? To be able to just decide, and easily GET these records just like that. It could be luck. Perhaps my taste in Saves The Day material isn't the most liked from anothers perspective? I'm not sure since there has to be some Saves The Day tunes for everyone, cause there is a lot of them.

It goes with out saying that "Daybreak" is the most current release and of course still available. Both 180 gram black first pressing AND second pressing on white(go pick it up if you haven't, I have been REALLY enjoying this release lately. Might be sliding into my second favorite of their entire catalog, In Reverie #1, DUH). So that one was an easy hit.

Shop Radio recently found some copies of "Stay What You Are" in the warehouse from the recent repressing of it. So I copped me one of those. Like "Daybreak" it was at your normal in store pricing. Ill accept that(like I had a choice anyway). I am not too crazy on pressing with this one, so I'm glad that I got to pick this one up with middle ground. Could have paid probably the same price for a first pressing on black(a little shocked to be honest) with the chance of paying too high OR paid a stupid price for one of the other variants of this repress, PASS. Pleased to have this classic.

Last but not least, I basically stole "Under The Boards" and "Sound The Alarm". Not too surprised since I can sort of feel that these 2 records aren't the most favored out of the catalog but with the prices I see people listing them for, I thought I was doomed to just not own them. The graces of someone was shined upon me and I picked these 2 up cheap and will love them tenderly.

Now all I need to do is find a copy of "in reverie" for not $60.

More scores to come!

Pick Ups

I am going to stop saying "weekly" or even "monthly" pick ups. I am so busy I am behind on listing and cataloging. So with that in mind here are my recent pick ups!

1. Thrice- Major/Minor 2xLP- Vagrant Records- Clear w/ Blue Splatter/4000
2. Taking Back Sunday- Warner Brothers- Black/probably a shit ton
3. A Great Big Pile Of Leaves- Have You Seen My Prefrontal Cortex? 2xLP- Sinking Ships Records- Translucent Red/Translucent Green/500
4. Park- It Won't Snow Where You're Going- Lobster Records- Fire Orange/Black Smoke/250

I am very pleased to finally get a copy of Major/Minor for not a retarded amount of money. Paid a couple bucks over in store price with Free shipping so I feel I really lucked out.

The Pile of Leaves 2xLP is fantastic. Not only cause the music on it is good but cause it was pressed at Pirates Press. I'm not THAT big of a nut to really care about where things are pressed and to be honest this is the first time that I have ever actually took notice. My Appleseed Cast Low Level Owl LPs were also pressed at Pirates Press and the extreme quality in both releases are quite visible and consistent. Theres just something about it, the colors are amazing on both my Appleseed Cast LPs(printed years ago) and the Pile Of Leaves LP(printed recently). The records just come out so clean, fresh, solid, tight, excusing the possible urban slang, you get what I mean? The Red LP is my favorite of the 2xLP, so birght and clear, perfect.

The Park LP is great as well. The vinyl came out really good and so did the artwork. The whole jacket is UV coated so it has that glossy look through out. Which really makes the the orange, yellows and reds in the artwork just pop out and hit you. The Detail is surprisingly wonderful.

June Pick ups

Left to Right:
Piebald- "Sometimes Friends Fight" 10"- Point The Blame Records- Black/
The Jealous Sound- "A Gentile Reminder"- Burnt Toast Vinyl- Blue Marble/500
Copeland- "In Motion"- Academy Fight Song- Brown Marble/250
Hot Water Music- "Exister"- Rise Records- Milky Clear w/ Swamp Green(Interpunk exclusive)/500
Say Anything- "...is a Real Boy" 2xLP- Doghouse Records- Orange Marble/1000 (3rd press)
Taking Back Sunday- "Where You Want To Be"- Victory Records- Clear Blue/2545

pretty stoked on all of these!

This Weeks Pick Ups

Feist- "Metals"- Cherrytree Records/Interscope Records- Green Marble Urban Outfitters Edition/???
As tall as lions- "Into The Flood"- Triple Crown Records- White/1000
Alkaline Trio- "Crimson" 2xLP- Vagrant Records- Grey Marble/100 (2nd American Press, Technically 3rd press)
Circa Survive- "Blue Sky Noise"- Atlantic Records- Clear Blue/3000+???

Manufacturing a Record

I found this video via Stuck In The Past blog. It documents the pressing process of Mouthpieces "Cant Kill Whats Inside". Was never a big Mouthpiece fan but I highlight this because it hits close to home for me since my occupation/career is similar to some parts of this video. I know too much about the Printing & Folding Section as well as the Assembly & packaging section and I'm sure a lot of people are probably really curious as to what goes into pressing a vinyl LP.

I wish they weren't pressing black and there was a little more about how whacky mix and marble colors are made.

Bear Vs. Shark

This is my Bear Vs. Shark "collection". A very short lived band loved by some but not many. Sort of shoved off to the side in obscurity. I personally enjoy them a lot. Put on a really good live show.

Bear Vs. Shark- Terror Hawk- Friction/Equal Vision Records- red/yellow/500
Bear Vs. Shark- Right Now You're In the Best of Hands...- Friction/EVR- green/clear/250
Bear Vs. Shark- Terror Hawk Picture disc- Friction/EVR- 2nd press of 200

This is the back of the 2nd press. Fronts of both presses were the same but the backs were different.

If you feel you missed out, there is a 2nd press available from Friction Records for "right now youre in the best of hands" as well some first and only press copies left of "Terror Hawk". Go greb them while you can!

Record Store Day 2012 Pick Ups

Record Store Day 2012 was my first ever Record Store Day participation. I am waiting the day where I can stop talking about it but yet again, since I have gotten a record player again I can now take part in fun things such as RSD. As where before, it was something I didn't feel appealed to me at the time.

So this year I went out and made a day of it. I hit numerous shops in my city of Providence Rhode Island(Olympic Records, Armageddon, Newbuy Comics Providence & Newbury Comics Warwick) as well as a shop in New London, CT called Telegraph which I have talked about recently. I spent a good 7 hours of the day traveling, shopping, seeing many different friends. The weather was awesome, I had a really good time!

Although I am sure it differs from person to person, RSD wasn't all that crazy for me. There were only 2 records that I was looking for and sadly, I found them both at a Newbury Comics and not at a small self owned record shop which I was looking to support rather than a corporation. Which isn't that the whole point of RSD to begin with!?


Here are my pickups for Record Store Day 2012:

Moving Mountains- Foreword- Topshelf Records- black/200/RSD exclusive(1000 pressed total, 3 variants)
Matt Pond PA- The Nature Of Maps- Polyvinyl Records- 180 gram black/1000
Matt Pond PA- Several Arrows Later- Polyvinyl Records- 180 gram black/1000 (2nd press RSD exclusive)
Kind Of Like Spitting- Old Moon In The Arms Of The New- Jealous Butcher Records- 180-gram opaque yellow vinyl/500

Matt Pond Sever Arrows was found at Newburys in Warwick, RI. Moving Mountains was found at Neburys in Providence, RI and both are a part of the RSD event. As far as the other two, They are not apart of RSD and just ordinary record purchases. Matt Pond Nature of Maps was an impulse buy, I saw it in the $10 bin at Telegraph and I just couldn't resist! The Kind Of Like Spitting LP I am SO pleased to have found. I saw it and my face lit up. Super stoked on that find! Also found at Telegraph.

The Appleseed Cast Collection.

My Appleseed Cast collection has been done for some time. Figured I'd post it! All releases are first press and not for sale!

From top going right:
1. The Appleseed Cast- Sagarmatha 2xLP- Militia Group/Graveface- Magenta purple splatter/1000,124/250 (first 250 ordered were hand numbered)
2. The Appleseed Cast- Middle States- Graveface Records- milky clear aqua blue/1000
3. The Appleseed Cast- Two Conversations- Graveface Records- "transparent monster electric"/1000, 420/500 (first 500 ordered are hand numbered)
4. The Appleseed Cast- Peregrine- Militia Group/Graveface- Black Vinyl/1000
5. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 2nd Press- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/Green/Brown/1000
6. The Appleseed Cast- Low Level Owl Vol I & II 3xLP 1st Press- Deep Elm/Gilead Media- Black vinyl/1000
7. The Appleseed Cast- End Of The Ring Wars 2xLP- Deep Elm/Goodcore- Gold/1000
8. The Appleseed Cast- Mare Vitalis 2xLP- Deep Elm/Graveface- Blue/White-Black/Gold Streaks- 1000

Lets talk about some of these records!

Looking up information to refresh my memory on some of these LPs I discovered that both "Mare Vitalis" and "Sagarmatha" have both been pressed before BUT they were pressed on a European label by the name of Green Hell Records. The current 2 pictured are of the American Press on Graveface records and to my knowledge a few moments ago were the only versions ever pressed. I guess not! Due to information found on Dead Format the euro Green Hell/Deep Elm version of "Mare Vitalis" was pressed as a single LP on black vinyl ltd to 1000 with different art work. I have no info on "Sagarmatha" other than it is a 2xLP and appears that it may have been released with the original CD artwork unlike the completely re-designed Graveface version.

If you were curious to what the LPs for the American version of "Mare Vitalis" here is a picture I found on Dead Format: (the black LP just looks black in my photo, I wanted to showcase what it actually looks like)


Although they may look exactly the same ruling out the fact that one is on black vinyl and the other is tri-color, here are the other differences between the 1st and 2nd press of "Low Level Owl Vol I & II. In the event you do not know, aren't sure due to whatever variable reason or are being lied to by someone selling a copy on ebay, forum, etc.


I have recently thought about maybe selling my 2nd press but when I took it out to take the collection photo I immediately said "no way" simply due to how awesome of a blue the first LP is.

There is a third version out there as well. Pressed on Silver vinyl and limited to 1000, only 500 copies in distribution and the first 250 purchased through Graveface were hand numbered. In a way only 250 went to distro. Graveface keeping 250 to number/250 un-numbered being sent out. The other remaining copies I assume went to The Appleseed Cast to sell on tour since this 3rd press was released to promote the band playing both albums back to back over 38 shows between February and April 2010.

This 3rd press version features different center labels from the 1st and 2nd press(which both have the same center labels) as well as "The Appleseed Cast Low Level Owl Vol. I & II" printed in silver ink on the cover rather than the 1st and 2nd press versions that are printed in light blue.

The Casket Lottery Collection.

So after many years in total, including an 8 year break, in 2012 I've finally completed my Casket Lottery Collection. I am pretty sure I have everything. All first press and besides whacky 7 inch pressing numbers, rarest color.



From top going right
1. The Casket Lottery/Small Brown Bike 10"- Second Nature- Clear/500
2. The Casket Lottery- Possiblies And Maybes Double LP- Second Nature/Status- White/495
3. The Casket Lottery- Survival Is For Cowards- Second Nature- Light Orange/100
4. The Casket Lottery- Choose Bronze- Second Nature- White/110
5. The Casket Lottery- Moving Mountains- Second Natue- Clear/white swirl/100
6. The Casket Lottery- Smoke And Mirrors- Second Nature- Clear/picture disc/520
7. The Casket Lottery/Reflector 7"- Undecided Records- black/
8. The Casket Lottery/Reflector 7"- unknown- black/50 (Casket Lottery/Reflector "tour" version)
9. The Casket Lottery- Lost At Sea 7"- status- brown/white marble/250
10. The Casket Lottery/Hot Water Music 7"- Second Nature- Pink/253
11. The Casket Lottery/Waxwing 7"- Second Nature- Purple/211 (numbered #1369, no idea to the significance of the numbering. Ive seen copies un-numbered but have seen another purple copy with numbering. Myabe its just the purples? I asked Dan Second Nature if he knew of any tour/show versions and he himself could not remember or did not know)

Now that The Casket Lottery are a band again, I will now have to add another LP and 7" when those are released!

(None of this is for sale!)

The Telegraph

The Telegraph is a record store in New London, CT. Now if you are familiar with New London at all, I know you're probably saying "what? theres a record store there?". Trust me, I said the same thing, but yes, there is! New London to me has always been that sketchy port city an hour away from my home that I would drive to and go see sketchy hardcore shows at the sketchy venue called the El-N-Gee. It has always been that and nothing more. Time changes things, everything. After many years the El-N-Gee shut down and stopped hosting shows. To later re-open as a dance club that tried to reclaim some old fame and book hardcore shows once more. However the scene had changed. People and bands changed and it was a change for the worse. Didn't quite pan out. I attended a few of those shows while it was a dance club but nothing spectacular and it closed yet again. To then AGAIN re-open as El-N-Gee. I have no idea what goes on there now.

With new friends that I have made, I have come hip to this new place. From my understanding they have been there for the better part of a year or more. I have had the pleasure to visit once already and plan to visit more every few months or so. Very good atmosphere, nicely done and set up, great stock of all kinds of records new and old. Lost of stuff up my alley. Most of all, good people.

This picture is something they posted about 5 hours ago and to me it is extremely amazing. To me it captures someones dream come alive. The Before is an idea, an attempt, a blank canvas in which to make whatever you want possible. The after being just that. A barren shell. A white wasteland of boring and dull. Turned into something bright, full of life and sound. In argument something a record store should essentially be. I think the store came out excellent. Hard work and creativity can pay off!

From what I was told, even though I cannot speak for the owner(s) operator(s) of The Telegraph, I believe that they are trying to offer more to that "sketchy port city" and offer some sense of a community. Running a business is tough and in my opinion I think New London would be a hard place to do it but if things are happening, people are showing up, local businesses communicates with local businesses, things can take off. It seems to be working for the most part. Nothing too crazy but the beginning is just happening now. I'm sure there is only better things to come.

I wish the Telegraph many years of business, experiences and accomplishments to be conquered. I look forward to popping in again soon!

facebook.com/TelegraphNL

New Homes.

There comes a time when you have to say goodbye. I have started cleaning out some records that I have not listened to in over a decade plus. Some I just don't listen to, some are from bands/music styles I have fallen off with, some were purchased just to be purchased.

I think that I have finally grown enough to know what it is I want and what it is I want out of that.

Good bye old friends. I hope you like your new homes.

Frontier(s)

My recent score was from a band called Frontier(s). A band you may not have heard of but a band who is fronted by former Elliott singer Chris Higdon. Naturally being a large Elliott fan and with my recent re-introduction to collecting records again I had to pick up these releases to fill out my Elliott collection.

I did not have a record player upon the release of these records so sadly I thought I missed out when I started searching around to try to find some copies on ebay. Until I randomly checked No Sleep Records webstore and saw that they actually had color copies left. Which I swore they sold out of a while ago. Not only that but they were in the sale section. Heres the thing, you could have either purchased the 2 separately for a total of $12 or If you pay attention closely you will see when you add an item(either the 7" first or the LP) there is a package deal available for those 2 releases specifically. So long story short, I got the Frontier(s) 7" The Plains & their full length "There Will be No Miracles Here" for a total of $7!

Im a happy camper.

Frontier(s)

Cleaning your records, with wood glue?

You can show me all the videos you want of this and I still will be sketched out. If you're brave enough and some of your records need cleaning, give it a try!

I'm thinking about maybe picking up something super old and used and giving it a go on that.

Sunday Mornings

Keep it on Wax

Christmas came and went. On this Christmas though, I received a great gift from my girlfriend. She got me a record player! It was quite the surprise. I apparently had said something many months ago about it and when the large box was put under the tree, I had NO idea what the hell it could have been. Turns out it was this!


Its a Crosley CR704. A 5 in 1 musical...box...for lack of better terms. It has an ability to play AM/FM radio, CDs, cassette tapes, has an MP3 jack and a turntable up top.

Its a pretty classy item, I dig the vintage look. Although a little skeptical at first. Since I've been without a record player for 7 years or so after the one I was handed down crapped out and I never sought out a replacement. I never knew the first thing about record players since I was 16 listening to Punk-O-Rama 1 to even now being 26. I just sort of felt that a 5 in 1 contraption that I am pretty sure you could order out of a catalog similar to Sky Mall would be all that good. Well, I was proven wrong. It sounds great in my opinion. I have it in my living room and I usually spend most of my time not in the living room and it fills the house with sound and I am surprised to be honest.

Sure there are probably better players out there. There are also worse I'm sure. The reviews for the most part are very good and as far as most of the complaints about this player go, all I would have to say about it in defense is that this player is quite obviously not a sound system. If that is what you are looking for then go out and buy big speakers, an expensive turntable and a receiver. If you are looking for something that is for the most part compact, lightweight and something to just enjoy listening to your records again as a hobby, this is right up your alley.

My last stated reason is exactly why I am so happy to now have this. Record collecting has always been a slight hobby of mine. Something that I have taken a long break from doing. Since being without a way to listen to all my old records, this could be the worlds most gigantic piece of crap and I would probably be just as excited. It's gotten me back into an old hobby, spending money...I mean record collecting! The funny part is some friends of my girlfriend have also just gotten a record player. At a recent birthday gathering the boys were all in the corner talking about records. Chris had said something that I will currently butcher trying to reiterate that having a record player brings back what "listening to a record" used to be. There is no shuffle, no mix, no skip, none of that. You put the record on and you listen to it. Which is very true.

The only negative things to say about this player is that you may have to open up the back and adjust a screw which controls where the record finishes. When I would play 7" records, it would end just shy and not finish the record. A little bit of a pain but something that is easily remedied. If you call Crosley they will gladly put you in touch with a technician who could walk you through the process. Unfortunately they are only open M-F 8-5 when I am at work but they emailed me instructions. Luckily a friend of mine also has this same player who had the same issue so he came over and helped me out. Secondly, all my records were skipping in certain spots. To me it was either record pressing plants have gotten super sloppy OR my player was not working properly. So I placed a penny on the end of the stylus to add just a little bit of weight since there is no sort of weight adjustment on the player(maybe where that turntable would come in handy?) and my problem was solved.

So in short, I am stoked and pleased with this player. The flood gates have now been opened. Record blogs to come!