RECORD STORE DAY 2011

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The FALL LINE & SUMMER CLEARANCE at SPIRAL SCRATCH


NEW RELEASES/SUPER-SALE/RE-STOCKS/UPCOMING INCOMING--see below:

It's always busy in the fall for new releases. So we gotta make a little room. That means our already ROCK BOTTOM prices on vinyl, cd and dvd have been ruthlessly slashed (by our ruthless price slasher). More details about that later...
First, the new booty:
POLVO - In Prism The first rumblings in 12 years or so from this great 90s establishment, released as a double 12" that was mastered at 45 rpms, is already being lauded as one of those rare "reunion" lps that is on par with the bands best work. Comes packaged with great artwork, a gatefold sleeve and the now obligatory high quality download. With 3/4ths of the original lineup still in-tact, this is one reunion not to be overlooked. Polvo never really got their due so the "cash-in reunion tour" that is so popular these days is not a factor here. Polvo is back.
Still in stock was their last album before the silence...SHAPES and the 1992 album, COR-CRANE STREET.

STEVE EARLE - TOWNES (limited 2x lp) Grammy award winner Steve Earle, who has amassed an incredible following in past decade or so, pays homage (finally) to his mentor of sorts, the legendary Townes Van Zandt--both troubled, yet sincere, great American drifter singer-songwriters. (Townes Van Zandt died in 1997, but has received overdue acclaim recently as well culminating in a documentary film released this year).
Here is Earle performing a double albums worth of Van Zandt covers-both acoustically and plugged in with a backing band.


COALESCE - Functioning on Impatience [10 year anniversary press-limited] Without getting into the breakdown/scum stats of colors, numbers and whatnot--here is the limited 10 year anniversary edition of 90s hardcore band COALESCE - Functioning on Impatience. Coming in a skeletal die-cut cover and 180 grams, here is your (brief) window to own a piece of hardcore history (or be a nerdy collector). Whichever it is, we snagged a few and they are gracing the racks right now.

REIGNING SOUND - Break Up Break Down - Memphis garage rock legend Greg Cartwright sudden and drastic shift from raunchy lo-fi raunchy rock and roll to quiet, country-tinged quiet mood pieces on the Reigning Sound's debut, Break Up Break Down (2001) Put this up against yer favorite alt-country record, though never christened as such, and discover a masterpiece that was criminally under the worlds radar at the time. They would eventually return to a more uptempo rock and roll band (see this years Love & Curses, and catch them live at the Mohawk Place in November--2 days before ex-Oblivian band mate passes through town!-- Jack "Oblivian" Yarber, an equally talented singer-songwriter in his own right). This debut is just now seeing it's proper vinyl issue as Sympathy For The Record Industry resurrects itself, unleashing collectable vinyl pieces back to fit a working stiff's wages. Also in stock were the long sought-after OBLIVIANS 10" records, "Six Of The Best" and "Oblivians". Dig the real down-home punk rock of the 90s!

EVERYTHING FALLS APART - Relief lp Brand new recordings from long running local hardcore outfit. Everything Falls Apart is one of a few bands who got this old geezer running back to the basements. On Relief, they build on the raging hardcore of their early singles and mature into a more song oriented (hey, the early songs were killer too...i dont know what im trying to say here) approach ala Naked Raygun--but still with much more power behind it. Great sound (recorded at HiLo Studios by Matt Smith and mastered by the legendary John Golden) and fine packaging to go along with it. An all around great effort from a great band. In stock. Release show 9.26 at Argyle.

PEARL JAM - Backspacer 2x lp Ninth studio album by the long running Seattle rockers, Backspacer is also available at Target™, as you probably know by now. However, you will not have to dodge red & khaki clad stressed out "team members", long lines, or blazng red shopping carts full of big bags of catfood, baby diapers or Cherokee/Masimo brand clothing. We have our single aisle and it's always an express aisle. Anyway, bad jokes aside, this is Pearl Jam's first since 2006 and produced by Brendon O'Brien, whom they last worked with in 1998 (Yield lp) and features the artwork of editorial cartoonist Tom Tomorrow. Double album within a deluxe gatefold sleeve. Hot shit.

More incoming:

VIVIAN GIRLS - Live on WFMU lp (1000 pressed)
JUDGE - Discography 2xLP/CD

CREATION - Best of... LP

? and the MYSTERIANS - 96 Tears LP

KID DYNAMITE - cheap shots...youth anthems LP

DINOSAUR JR. - Farm/Green Mind restock lp's

upcoming any day:

David Bazan, Avett Brothers, Pearl Jam, MAYYORS 12", Hot Snakes!, OhSee's, Fresh & Onlys, Kurt Vile, Girls, Yo La Tengo (recently sold out new 2x lp) and a long overdue order with
SST RECORDS!


Not at all limited to the cover shots you see here, but as many crucial back catalog classics and essentials direct from the SST Warehouse & Greenhouse now relocated to Texas. Cheap!
Black Flag, Descendents, Husker Du, Minutemen, fIREHOSE and more! LP's, 7"'s, 12" eps!
A real shitstorm of classic american music at the lowest prices possible.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!!
It's not dead stock...but it's kinda getting in the way. Great titles that get one chance at finding a happy home before they are returned for store credit. Some as low as cost...some teetering below. The BLACK CRATES are now stuffed...some slashed as much as $4 off! No bullshit titles (we try not to order that stuff to begin with).
Albums by: AFRAMES, BRIGHT EYES, CURSIVE, KIMYA DAWSON, DESCENDENTS, CHEAP TRAGEDIES, the DILS, the OBITS (rick fork frobergs latest project), DECEMBERISTs, CHRISTIAN DEATH, TOTAL ABUSE, BRIAN WILSON and more!
CD's by: RYAN ADAMS, BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE, BLACK LIPS, BLACK TIME, BLITZEN TRAPPER, CAT POWER, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, LOST SOUNDS, MY MORNING JACKET, MOGWAI, PINBACK, POISON IDEA, RADIOHEAD, STEREOLAB, WHITE STRIPES & more! All drastically reduced like overripe vegetables at the shady grocery store!

In addition ALL DVD's are $1 off sticker price. If you have seen our modest selection of DVD's, you know--quality reigns supreme over quantity.

Stop by and have a look-see....we'll be here! We hope...

Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming updates, show announcements and more. Thanks for reading.

-anchovies 9.23.09

Saturday, September 12, 2009

End of Summer Update

************************************************************************update!!!


Approaching our 1 year anniversary, Spiral Scratch is very excited to announce our upcoming used jazz & blues sections as well as a totally packed collection of 'previously enjoyed 7" records/45's (everything from hardcore to soul) which we will be unveiling in time for our anniversary "gala".
Slashed prices, unseen used back stock and some rare records and dvd's ar
e just part of the whole sh-bang.

In the meantime, check out some of the latest incoming while it lasts. We have established some direct ordering deals with Hydrahead Records, among others, and bring you some of the latest rockin' swill for the lowest prices imaginable.
Dig it, man.


JAY REATARD - Watch Me Fall lp - The first official full length for Matador (following last years explosive single collection), Reatard (ne: Lindsay) continues to drift away from his manic punk roots of The Reatards (and loads of other projects like Lost Sounds, Angry Angles, etc) and drifts more into catchy indie ROCK territory with this new batch of songs. Say what you will about his 'tude--the guy has worked hard to get where he is at and continues to back it up with another album full of cool. Poppy, aggressive (at times) and contained on this well produced long player, which officially turns the corner for Reatard--loaded full of of acoustic guitars, strings, melodies that stick and well crafted songs. Coming direct from Matador, we have seen this one listed at $5 more than what we have it for. Choose wisely. They're moving quick.


VENOM - Black Metal lp English black metal pioneers, Venom's BLACK METAL lp, the bands second album, is considered a benchmark and /or blue print for extreme metal. In addition to its greatness, its influence on black, death and thrash metal is massive--regardless of their abilities or criticism thereof. Totally satanic and lightning fast, they have stood the test of time with young fans still seeking them out.
We still have a copy or two if the IRISH ASSAULT lp, which compiles early radio broadcasts, demos and other odds and ends. Serious Venom fans should not overlook this high quality "import", either. Very limited quantites. 180 grams on what i believe to be clear vinyl.

NO NEW YORK Compilation - V/A - This incredibly influencial and critically acclaimed collection was originally released in 1978 under the production of Brian Eno. Containing 4 bands (4 tracks each), No New York was thee seminal document of the short lived New York City "No Wave" scene and features James Chance and the Contortions, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks (Lydia Lunch), Mars & DNA. We've seen originals go for $40-$50, though this Russian import (180 gram) is well under $20. Described as ferociously avante-garde and ugly music, it's effects can still be seen in independent music today--though in a much more homoginized state. Love it or despise it, it's here for you.

TV GHOST - Cold Fish Tom Shannon of the CHEATER SLICKS remarked, "This album sounds like a nightmare." I think that was meant as a compliment. This Lafayette, Indiana band ushers in a vile and squalid new disposition to ugly art punk and carves out a black hole of pestilence that will delight its sufferers to no end. If one can swim through the murky grime long enough to let one's frazzled senses adjust, it's clear how effectively TV Ghost incorporates the licentious nuances of The Cramps' earliest scuzz, no wave's cacophony, and Suicide's terrifying throb alongside cavernous bellows from the depths of the third layer of hell.

TORCHE - HEALER/ACROSS THE SHEILDS 12" w/ dvd - Their latest offering, packaged with a dvd inside and some wild cover art. Limited quantites.

some more re-stocks this week:
Dinosaur Jr. - Farm lp
Dinosaur Jr. - Green Mind lp
Why - Elephant Eyelash
Why - Alopecia
Harvey Milk - Life...The Best Game In Town lp (last copies)
Big Business - Head For The Shallow
Big Business - Mind The Drift
Big Business - Biz-Bot Re-Mixes
Grizzly Bear - Horn of Plenty lp
Can - Moonshake
Charles Mingus - The Clown
Forgotten Rebels - In Love With The System lp
Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free
Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound (playing buffalo soon!)
Sonic Youth - EVOL lp
Sonic Youth - Sister lp
Sonic Youth - The Eternal (their latest! lowest price anywhere!!)
New Order - LowLife
New Order - 1981-1982 (not the expensive re-issues!! Factory Records imports @$11!!)
Icons of Filth- Onward Christian Soldier (last copies...these were a bitch to track down)
Clouds - We Are Above You
King Tuff - Was Dead
The Sword - Gods of the Earth
The Sword - Age of Winters
Dead Kennedys - Plastic Surgery Disasters
Dead Kennedys - Bedtime for Democracy
MC5 - Kick Out The Jams
Wavves - s/t
Mogwai - Mr. Beast 2x lp

TY SEGALL - Lemons/TY SEGALL - s/t
As the northern california psych-garage scene flourishes, you can safely put TY SEGALL among the best coming out of that scene, or any scene for that matter these days. His latest, Lemons, will undoubtedly be among the favorites we've heard this year--no brainer top 10 material here; even an improvement on last years self titled debut which won us over, too. Lemons confidentally builds on the debut with better songs, better sound--but dont dismiss the first--it's just we're seeing a guy improve on his craft. Using a lo-fi buzz and nod to 60's psychedelic garage music (he covers Captain Beefhearts immortal "Dropout Boogie"), Segall writes great songs and keeps getting better. Not the overly raucous garage rock, but a more song driven, late 60s approach. I couldnt put this one down for weeks and it's even received acclaim in publications we normally sneer at. Perhaps his appeal is more widespread than we imagined (though Barrels declared long ago: "This kids gonna be huge"). Both of Segalls' lp's are in stock, and he has recently joined forces with San Frans SIC ALPS, whose double album singles collection also remains in stock. Inquire within!

13th Floor Elevators - Psychedelic Sounds of... Speaking of 60's psychedelic/garage music, we'd be remiss not to mention we are holding some copies of thee pivotal grandaddy of the genre...the first 13th Floor Elevators album in glorious MONO--it's definitive form according to experts on the subject. International Artists™ edition. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the frequent appearance of their second album, Easter Everywhere. In addition, we are carrying the fantastic Roky Erickson and the Aliens albums, including the A+ The Evil One 2x lp, the rare Gremlins Have Pictures collection of odds and ends and Weird Tales.

DVD RE-UPs
  • URGH...A MUSIC WAR on DVD!!!
  • BEST OF FLIPSIDE VIDEO: Volume 1 (featuring Bad Religion, Dickies, Weirdos and Circle Jerks! Actually this is volume 1+6 from the original series that was on VHS with mucho added footage and full live sets from the bands. Great quality footage. Great bands. No lo-fi camcorder crap here...the Flipside crew used the best gear they had at the time, used multiple angles and best sound available.

Thats all we're tipping for now. As stated in previous updates, keep tuned for anniversary happenings, our used 7" unveiling and more incomin stock.

Also, drop in and check out our out-of-town shos calender and dont miss out on any cool shows happening up the road apiece.

-anchovies 9.14.09