Record Store Day 2010 & other stuff

Record Store 2010 is finally upon us. Shrouded in the dark, our invoices started appearing today...when you deal with small distros and deal direct label to label...this is the day you hold your breath because more and more, it's the big guys running the show. And why not? This has turned into a big cash crop for certain major labels who have deprived Hold Steady fans of a release nobody seems to be able to get their hands on. We apologize in advance. However, its not all negative...there's loads of cool stuff coming.

Obviously, our proudest piece is Fucked Up's Daytrotter 7". What a concept. I rarely enter a competition...but i felt i already had the perfect photo. By now you've seen Spiral Scratch as the cover and title of Fucked Up's donation to RSD. 9 other stores were chosen across North America--obviously we like ours the best. We even made a RSD banner with it. Shit, look at that. Exciting.

With the help of our al-volunteer staff--we will open
the door at 10 am. A playoff hockey game helped
with this decision--we know Buffalo is a hockey town and it's been awhile since we made the post-season, so come in and brave the crowds...you
can go 'cross the street and have a beer and beef for breakfast (or something healthier off the Kelly's Korner menu) then come back and buy more records in between periods. We will also be open later than normal if need-be --9 pm.

In lieu of the small allocations of Record Store Day product, we have loads of new stuff coming in Thursday and Friday. We also have an exclusive FAILURES UNION Record Store Day 7" no other store will have on Saturday, plus the brand new Sonorous Gale 7". Support Local Music and Support your local record store.

If you read the Buffalo News article, let us remind you we are NOT downtown--we are located in North Buffalo. The address above should help...though someday,. we will be a local chain with locations all over the area. Sounds like a good idea, huh? Yeah,. i don't think so either.

SPIRAL JAZZ
Lately we have been experimenting with classic jazz reissues. Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Grant Green, Lee Morgan, Charles Mingus and more. The response has been staggering. So as an added surprise on RSD, we will unveil our backroom used jazz lp's along with the reissues for you to check out. Some very interesting titles. What started as a punk & indie store as litersally "spiraled" into the best of everything (except showtunes...no showtunes, though we do have a used soundtracks section.)

There will be plenty of new releases, restocks of the rock, punk, indie, soul, funk and jazz variety in addition to the loads of Record Store Day Product.
Most of the RSD stuff we ordered did indeed come, though the quantities were smaller than we had hoped. This was due to labels and/or bands cutting numbers and larger stores (like Amoeba out west) getting what are small numbers for them and tiny shops like us getting nil, or 1 or 2.

We will try and keep it safe but we cannot hold things for people. Titles will be re-stocked as they are sold, so try and get their early. In special circumstances...you will have to visit us at the shop--no emails or messages, please. And remember--this is a day for the dying breed of record stores--not your day to turn a buck flipping records online. One title per customer. No exceptions. There...those are the rules.

RSD TITLES
Not tipping our hand completely, we will be offering a Ted Leo 7" (exclusive tracks), Rodriguez 7", an Arthur Russell 12" and a various artist comp, plus a Pavement compilation (all vinyl) from our pals at Matador Records. Of course, we will have several "Spiral Scratch" Daytrotter 7"'s with our cover on it.
Roky, Devo, Sonic Youth, Jimi, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Against Me!. Album Leaf, Joe Strummer, Gorillaz and plenty more.

NON-RSD NEW RELEASES
MGMT-Congratulations (limited version on sale!) with coin and sceatch iff civer)
EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING - Unlikely aussies become one of the best bands in the world. The new album is Rush To Relax We sold 5 copies the day it dropped and are fully re0stocked,
JONSI - of Sigur Ros. Solo effort.
X-Wild Gift Their second album which hasnt legitimately been reissued in at least 15 years.
Lifetime - Jersey's Best Dancers The third and final re-ish from NoIdea. Originally on jade tree.
Others include late 70s albums from The Fall, Television Personalities.

Now read the damn blog...my eyes hurt.

-anchoives

Record Store Day 2010 Update/RIP's/Incoming...

I: 1950-2010/RIP(s)


While we don't like to turn this into an obituary page, rock and roll lost 2 important figures earlier this week--both born in 1950.
We were stunned and saddened to here the news of Alex Chilton passing away suddenly from an apparent heart attack. His work in the almighty Big Star and as a solo artist--and the teenage with the raspy "2 pack-a-day" voice in the Box Tops before all that. Their biggest and most memorable song, "The Letter" has been a personal favorite of mine since I was a kid...it always seemed too short. I wanted that song to go on for 5 minutes. Maybe more. Of course, that was the age of 2.5 minute pop songs. Chilton's work with Big Star is legendary, and you can read (or have already read) and heard all about them by now. We hope. Needless to say, Big Star was criminally overlooked in the public eye during their existance--but their stubborn genius too great to be overlooked by the bands they influenced. But this is not an entry to sell records. That will come below. RIP Alex Chilton.
The same day, at nearly the same age (59,60 respectively) longtime Maximum Rock and Roll columnist who, though not a "Robert Christgau" award winning music journalist--his wild enthusiasm for punk rock, both old and new, made him a legend at MRR. Even if you weren't down with his tastes, he made it fun to read anyway. He was admired and well loved and our sympathies go out to his family, friends and his biggest fans.
Certainly, with the passing of Vic Chesnutt, Mark Lincus/Sparklehorse and Doug Fieger--it's been a downer of a few months for some of our loyal customers and we share in your misery. Trust us, we do. Between the lot of them...someone must have lost at least one person they admire, and that's never fun. RIP Bruce!!!!!!! and RIP Alex.

II: RECORD STORE DAY : April 17, 2010
Shit, that's all i got. Here's some of what's been offered--but not promised to us here.
Live performances, free mini-corn dogs and other bullshit stillbeing planned...so let us know if you're after anything in particular. Matador is also offering a limited Pavement retrospective lp, a Ted Leo 7". That's all for now...

III: Incoming: New Releases and Re-stocks, re-issues and loads of previously enjoyed records.

Red House Painters - Songs For A Blue Guitar This one went fast the first time around and has bee tough to track down, like much of Mr Kozelek's records. A double lp's worth of Songs For A Blue Guitar--freed from his fiormer bandmates, baring his soul and a little legal red tape, this batch of songs dates back to 1996 and has been handsomely re-issued by Plain Recordings. Also finding it's way back to 2531 is Sun Kill Moon's "Tonight The Sky"--a full length companion piece to his acclaimed "April" lp from 2008. As is often the case with Kozelek vinyl...it's limited and disappears quick. We'll try and keep 'em around as best we can.



The Baby Huey Story - The Living Legend Ironically (is that proper useage? let me know in the comments section, creep) released after his untimely death, Baby Huey was 400+ pounds of pure soul...another situation where he didnt attain the popularity his incredible music warranted. of course, dying didnt help his cause. Regardless, this album is an essential that we just can't get enough of over here at the Scratch. Produced by the almighty (and also the co-writer/writer of several tracks here) Curtis Mayfield, the giant fell victim to his vices (eating and heroin) at the tender age of 26. Another example of a massive (no pun) talent overlooked until years after it's release--the Living Legend is a soul classic.

Lifetime - Hello Bastards The mid-90s benchmark for melodic-hardcore, in an overcrowded genre, Lifetime's debut became a cult classic almost in an instant. As it went out of print after it's initial release on Jade Tree in 1995, it also became a pricey collectors jewel. The fine folks at No Idea Records have made this slab affordable for the common folk with this re-issue (they have since re-issued all of Lifetime's lp's--Jersey's Best Dancers should be arriving next week or so).
Unlike many of their counterparts in the genre, Lifetime has stood the test of time with their fans and are even making new ones with these re-issues.

Die Kreuzen s/t - "The Crosses". Milwaukee's die Kreuzen's self titled LP was, and remains, the cream of 80s hardcore, though not given nearly enough credit for their self titled powerhouse of midwestern creepiness backed with not-so-typical sounding musical outbursts--making it sound perfectly timeless and a forerunner to noisy indie rock/post-punk, "grunge" and the weirder side of punk rock to this day. Truly deranged vocals and guitar meandering that goes beyond the 1-2-3 go power chording. (not that that was a bad thing, by any means) As with a lot of mid-western hardcore, there were no barriers to remain inside of and as a result, these bands have aged with perfectly fucked up grace. A true classic of the genre that could have come out last month and sounded right in place. Released, and re-released with an mp3 download by Touch and Go Records, these also seem to come and go. Fans of aggressive music should not be without one. Barrells has put it in his top 2 hardcore records and that is a 5 star statement.
Thomas Function - Celebration The debut lp after a couple of acclaimed singles from this hard-to-pin down band from Alabama.
Though embraced by the garage rock community perhaps the most, they are anything but. They have a catchy as all hell clean sound that fuses perfectly jangly (i swore i'd never say "jangly" again...i lied) guitars/acoustic guitars, a young augie myers on cheapo organ and a warbly vocalist that sounds like a teenage tom verlaine from Television. Confused? That's just the beginning.
Rootsy? They're cooking up something here and it's equal parts rock and roll, old r&b, bluegrass/country...shit, each song seems to have a personality of it's own. I kinda regret passing on this band at first, as this was released in 2008, but it's never too late to mend.
See for yourself HERE

IV: More restocking action!

• Screamers - Demos LP Seminal LA synth punk band's only studio recorded material.
• Bad Religion - How Could Hell Be Any Worse?/Suffer/No Control LP's
• Patti Smith - Horses LP
• Velvet Underground LP's--including the "mono banana". All 180 gram vinyl.
• Dead Boys - We Have Cum For Your Children LP
• Blue Cheer MONO reissues of Vincebus Eruptum and InsideOutside on Sundazed
• Grant Green - Green Street LP
• Thelonious Monk - Monk LP
• Alkaline Trio - This addiction LP/mp3 card
• Agnostic Front - United Blood 7"/Victim In Pain LP
• Cramps - Off the Bone LP

and more coming. next week...including the highly anticipated brand new Eddy Current Suppression Ring lp, She & Him Volume #2, Jawbreaker "Unfun" reissue and more... (there's always more).
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Well, that's about it for now folks. Don't forget TUESDAY, March 23 is a FREE IN-STORE show with: Bill "Tracy Morrow" Nehill, Singleman Affair (Chicago) and A Relative Term. Show at 6 pm, sharp.

anchovies
3.20.10

Marching Into March

From the makers of fine radio and thee finest rock and roll record boutique this side of Delaware Avenue! Out now and available at all Spiral Scratch Records locations! (and select shows)...soon elsewhere:

POST-MODERN BLOOZE

Scratch N Sniff zine: Music writing from America's diseased underbelly .
Issue:1 features the ramblings of ROT SHIT (pittsburgh), features on late 60's obscure rockers of indigenous decent, LINCOLN STREET EXIT, BRAINCAR, some columns, grainy photos and record reviews you really should be giving credence too. These people like records, like rock and roll, work in record stores and broadcast their favorite records every saturday night in a small fm radio booth while the rest of the world slurps down overpriced drinks in urine soaked taverns...or worse.

Issue #1 is out now and available here NOW.
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• Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me 3x lp box ($24.99) [cd available upon request]

Fans of Joanna Newsom know she transcends folks-pop music. A surprisingly extensive follow up to her acclaimed 2006 effort, Y's-Have One On Me is over 2 hours long. According to recent reviews...it's not enough. Packaged as a box set and priced to sell! Hurry before they vanish.

• High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine 2x LP/CD

The fifth studio album from ex-Sleep guitar wizard Matt Pike and the power-trio shows no signs of letting up or settling into a formula. Instead, the band is said to have made a progression on this double-yet avoid the familiar concepts and technicalities that are all too evident on today's more popular metal bands. They would rather pummel you, instead. And that, they do.

• Infest - 10" - Mankind [deep six records]

Ventura, California's INFEST blazed a trail for one of the hardcore offshoots we now know as 'power-violence'. To the untrained music nerd, Infest is just brutal hardcore-and damn good-n-fierce at it. This 10", originally released in 2004, compiles the Mankind 7", as well as 4 compilation racks. The band existed from the mid 80s, dissolving in the mid-to-late 90s. Their recordings are much sought after and we hope to have the reissue of No mans Slave back in as soon as the people in charge make that possible.
*In case you missed out the first time around, Deep Six is sending us directly, more copies of the mind blowing Low threat Profile 7".

• King Khan & His Shrines - Three Hairs and You're Mine LP

Following the dissolution of Montreal based garage punk band, the unpredictable King Khan (of the amazing King Khan & BBQ Show!) worked in several projects--the Black Jaspers (recently reissued for the first time) and just prior to that, formed the amazing Shrines in late 1999. Unlike his garagey, lo-fidelity pre and post projects, this is well produced soul/funk with a full horn section. This here is a repress of their elusive first album.
Check it out if you dont trust me: "Don't You Walk Away Mad"


other stuff in this week:

• Ted Leo & the Pharmacists -The Brutalist Bricks LP - Brand new, just in as I was about to wrap this shit up--The Brutalist Bricks finds "the Pharmacists" as a 4 piece (including Teddy). This ex-punk/Chisel vet effortlessly writes infectious pop songs, a 10 year solo career finds him landing on his third label--Matador, of which these came straight from. Tune.
  

• High On Fire - Art Of Self Defense LP Their debut album. Compare & Contrast. Includes a bonus 7".
  

• Desert Sessions Volumes 1-6 LP/euro import versions,2 volumes per LP. A long out of print concept led by QOTSA/Kyuss leader Josh Homme, a cast of familiar names and a big sack of mushrooms collaborate in a desert studio. Rare and limited.
• Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum/Insideoutside [deluxe 180 gram MONO reissues.] Just released on the fantastic Sundazed label. We still have "budget" versions of Vincebus Eruptum and Oh! Pleasant Hope on standard vinyl. Don't let the "budget" scare you off--these are just as likely to blow your head off as the fancy mono audiophile ones.
  
• V/A - Our Boy Roy [Roy Orbison Tribute] Today's BEST garage rock/punk superstars pay homage to the mighty Mr. Orbison, all with their own unique twists. Features: Cheater Slicks, Ty Segall, Demons Claws, Jacuzzi Boys, Charlie & the Moonhearts and more!
• Wasted Time - Futility lp Highly acclaimed hardcore-punk band returns heavier than ever. Real deal stuff here for those still board. No throwback, revival type stuff here...just what it says.
  
• GISM - Detestation - High quality "reissue" of Japanese hardcore classic. limited units.
• She & Him 7" - Two new tracks in anticipation to forthcoming Volume 2 LP.
• Do Make Say Think - Other Truths LP Canadian post-rock outfits sixth album, on Constellation Records.
• Mos Def - The Ecstatic - Critically acclaimed "return to form"...music journalism's way of saying it's his best in quite some time.
• Priestess - Prior To The Fire LP Signed to TeePee Records, this is the long awaited second album from Montreal based hard rockers.
  

Make sure to check out the Matador debut of Philly acclaimed singer/songwriter/spaceman/noisemaker Kurt Vile's latest (and first for Matador), Childish Prodigy. It's a favorite of ours, too.

Lastly, Matador has graced us with lower priced reissues of the Pavement catalog--including Wowee Zowee and Brighten The Corners.

More to come.

anchovies
3/5/10

Spiral Scratch News & Notes 2.15.10/8

In case you haven't heard, Matador Records selected one of our photos to be used on a limited edition Record Store Day (coming in april) record by Toronto's Fucked Up! We are among 10 stores chosen nationwide to be used as a cover and title of a special 7". Thats our cover up top, and for more info directly from the bands blog, check it out at
www.lookingforgold.blogspot.com

In addition, Fucked Up has just released a double lp set of singles, rare and alternate tracks, unreleased material called COUPLE TRACKS. Of course, we have them in stock right now. Also in from MatadorDirect:

• Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy Singer-songwriter Kurt Vile is finally breaking out after last years top notch "Constant Hitmaker". Vile, who occasionally uses a backing band (the Violators) also relies on spacey sounds and other noises to compliment his hard hitting bedroom pop. Check out Space Forklift from Constant Hitmaker and the upbeat Freak Train from his most recent album, Childish Prodigy.
• Girls - LP
• Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall Jay's final proper album before his untimely death recently showcases his evolution a a melodic indie rock punk. We also carry both his singles collections--Matadors 2009 collection and In The Red's 06-08 collection, which showcases his more aggressive side. The further you go back into his vast catalog, the more intense the music gets. Just make sure you don't bypass one of this generations great talents.
  
• 
  
• 
  
• More recent arrivals:
  
• Sigur Ros 12" vinyl by this band has proven hard to come by. this is a brand new 12" and is gracing the shelves right now.
• Melvins s/t 12" more 12"'s, and from another band who's vinyl availability is painful. Includes a 9 minute cover of the Wipers "Youth of America"
• Flaming Lips "Soft Bulletin-" A reissue. Still holding steady with their latenst, "Embryonic".
  
• Magnetic Fields - "Realism" lp
• Jimi Hendrix 7" - Unheard song from 1967 recorded with 'the Experience graces side b while Valley of Neptune is the title track of a forthcoming 'lost album' recorded in early 1970. Limited.
• Spacemen 3 - Reissues and finally on great sounding vinyl. "Sound of Confusion", "Perfect Prescription" and an unrelated 2x 10" called "Playing With Fire". These are going very fast and we've heard the initial pressings are running out everywhere.
• Home Blitz - O.ut O.f P.hase A staff favorite. More mid-fi, catchy bedroom pop. Jonathan Richman, Dead Milkmen and Daniel Johnston are among the many comparisons i've read...but this is just a great record that should be spinning on your turntable. Take a chance before every jerk in town is bowing to Danial DiMaggio's masterpieces.
• Ween (reissues) We have access to all of them, but currently White Pepper, 13 Country Greats and the Mollusk are in stock.
  

• Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Lynx II the latest, and our foray into the world of hip-hop is expanding. We also have the latest from Mos Def and the original "Cuban Lynx", which comes in a dj sleeve only, as well as the Wu Tang Clan re-issue of "36 chambers". Our used section of hip hp/dance has grown enough to warrant its own section, as well.

Last week, arrived a shit-ton of restocks. Archie Bell & the Drells, Bad Brains, Big Star, Velvet Underground, Dead Boy, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Stooges, Dead Kennedys, Captain Beefheart, Blue Cheer, Sonics, Oblivians, reigning Sound, Hunches, GISM and more! Lots of jazz, too: Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and more!

Coming soon: New REGULATIONS lp, New Eddy Current Suppression Ring lp, She & Him 7", A Roy Orbison Tribute "Our Boy Roy"featuring thee finest garage punk bands around today, an Infest 10" and lots more.

make sure to follow the blog, or follow us on facebook or that ridiculously confusing Twitter for up to the minute announcements, sales and incoming.

also don't forget this FRIDAY 2.19, a FREE IN-STORE! OPEN LATE!

and last but not least, from the braintrust of Spiral Scratch Records--and edited and calmly laid out by our Sunday Schoolboy 'Get Mugged' Gaffney (with contibutions from the staff) is Buffalo's first and only rock and roll print 'zine--aptly titled Scratch-n-Sniff. So ARTVOICE™ refuses to acknowledge our existence or distribute their mag at our shop (conspiracy theories abound--we can't afford an ad), rejected our emails and record reviews, so we did what any self-respecting person (or people) would do--we made our own goddamn magazine. Here is the logo:
No holds barred. First issue features record reviews, interviews and other pieces about music. Stuff we like and think you might, too. If you'd like to be judged or be considered for contributions, or hate/love mail, please write us at our store email:
spiralscratchrecords@yahoo.com
or send us mail at 2531 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216.

if you made a rock and roll recording and want it considered for review, send it there or just drop it off.
These are full sized zines (8.5x11) and are NOT advertisements for the store. The writing is honest, occasionally brutal and...honest.
They will be free with a moderate purchase, available at shows or whoever else will distribute them. Issue #1 is completed, laid out and being produced at this very moment.
If you miss the days of holding in your hand, an honest and informative (and fun) publication on great music and other things we consider great (or at least damn good), keep an eye out for these.

as always, thanks for reading and your continued support.

anchovies
2.15.10

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quick update for 1.11.10-1.11.

INCOMING STOCK

week of January 11

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Iggy Pop - The Idiot

Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

Dry Rot - Philistine

Spoon - Transference

Spoon - Written In Reverse 7" (includes non-lp b-side)

Girls - Album

The Bitters East b/w Foreign Knives 7"

Home Blitz - O.ut O.f P.hase

Thee Oh-Sees - Masters Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In (repress)

Ty Segall - Lemons (restock)

Agnostic Front - United & Strong: 1984 Demos

Bad Brains - Rock for Light (euro mix/import)

The Points - Beat In Hell 7"

Fresh & Onlys - Second One To Know 7"

Bygones - By

V/A - Maximum Rock and Roll Presents - Wecome to 1984 compilation

Wasted Time - Futility

Vampire Weekend - Contra

plus plenty of restocks.

JAY REATARD DEAD AT AGE 29

On the morning of January 13th, at around 3 am Jay Reatard, real name Jimmy Lee Lindsay, was found dead in his sleep by his roomate, Jeffrey Novak. He was 29 years old. Needless to say, all of us at Spiral Scratch were extremely shocked and saddened by this news. We had hoped it was a hoax, but as details unfolded, it was not. The world had lost one of the great talents of the last 10 years. A controversial, moody and outspoken character, Jay had created or had a hand in some of the great world of often overblown and overhyped world of modern music ever since he sent his first demo tape to Memphis based Goner Records at the age of 15. Jay was no hype, though-he was the real deal.
The later part of the 90s, Jay's band the Reatards (where he adopted a surname that would stay with him) mixing the garage trash of Memphis local heroes the Oblivians with raging punk rock. In an era where punk rock had taken the road to bad hardcore or to the malls, Reatard was saving many of us from that. Making real punk rock when most fools had given up on the whole thing.
That rudimentary project would soon give way to the Lost Sounds, a synthezier driven (a tad before using synth was over every hipsters records) yet still aggresive band where the talent began to show with his songwriting and arrangements, with then-girfriend Alicjia Trout and Rich Crook. Trout and he also ran Shattered Records out of Memphis. During his time in the Lost Sounds, the band visitied Filthy Rich and myself at WBNY for a live performance on the air before a show at Mohawk Place, where i met them for the first time. We, dreamily, talked with the band about releasing the live performance--a plan which never came to fruiition. They were all about it, though. Buffalo's Bart Hart had released the bands first album on his Big Neck imprint, though they'd soon head for higher ground on bigger indies. Buffalo saw some of the earliest and most intense Lost Sounds shows, and also saw Jay's moody side, too.
After a bitter break up as the band was gaining in popularity, Jay took a role in several notable projects-Angry Angles, Final Solutions, Bad Times and i'm sure i'm missing some. His real breakthrough in the indie world came on his solo Blood Visions album, though. The major labels came courting him with contracts in hand-but he would settle with giant "indie" Matador Records.
Jay was making a bigger and bigger name for himself, both through controverisies and his recorded output.
Biography aside--you can read better written ones all over the internet, we feel like we lost one of our own. This was not a post to sell records, rather one i felt compelled to write.
Someone we watched grow up musically and whose music impacted our lives. Its different than losing a close friend or a family member--i know this personally, i'm still dealing with the passing of my father months before we opened this store, but it still hurts and we remain in shock. This one hit close to home. He was a true talent, not some flavor of the month bullshit that was being hyped by the online rags that seem to control taste. He was responsible for some of the great music of the last 10 years, but above all that, was one of us.
I can only imagine what his family and friends muct be going through right now. Our deepest sympathies are with them at this terrible time.

RIP, Jay Reatard. 1980-2010.

anchovies
1.16.10

YEAR END UPDATE -

So long '09--you've had your downs and ups, but we'll be glad to see ya go. Theres a new decade waiting...

Well, i suppose it hasn't been any worse (or even close) to late '08, and we've seen some mighty fine records released this year, a nice year for the shop hopefully insuring many more to come. Buffalo, you've done us proud by supporting, helping, suggesting and mostly...supporting our little thing (did i mention supporting?) here. Without you, we are just another bad idea that actually came to fruition. We're proud you like records--good ones, we're proud to see bands from here releasing beautiful record albums™...Everything Falls Apart, Sonorous Gale, Failures Union have all been kind enough to allow us to sell their hard work put to full length vinyl. Roger Bryan and the Orphans, in late '08 too. In addition, there have been great singles, compact discs and cassette demos--the feral Kid Records stable, self released cd-r and tape demos by some bands we are proud to call our own.

In the coming days, we'll get deeper into our favorite releases, re-issues, songs, singles and all that...but a quick "thank you" to our customers, supporters, volunteers, employees and my mom who is always there when the phone gets turned off! And of course, dad who is watching from above--hopefully satisfied we are still standing, trying to get better at what we are doing every day--and will someday clean up behind the counter and get organized in the back.

"Acid Rock!"






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A few new releases, re-releases and various thangs we've brought into our abode lately you may be interested in (by no means is this everything...i'm running out of '09 here)

thee Oh Sees - Dog Poison Quite a feat that the OhSees, a band who put out too much material, have battened down the quality control hatches the last two years. In this year alone they released the amazing HELP lp--one i thought would top my years favorites, then release this complete departure musically (less of the garage crunch, more flutes). Another gem...some might even (and have within our own ranks--mutiny!)say it's their best since '08. Here's a band that seems to be hitting a peak of sorts...releasing great albums and not the same albums. We love them, we can agree on that. We think you might, too.


Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind 12" A collection of tracks created before, during and after the making of their epic Merriweather Post Pavilion double album from earlier this year is by no means an odds and sods collection of casatways--rather songs that just didnt fit on the mammoth album for one reason or another. It has received rave reviews from fans and sketchy sources alike. But we are able to draw our own conclusions. 180 grams and with free download.




ABRASIVE WHEELS - When the Punks Go Marching In
Though formed around the time of the first wave of punk in Leeds, UK-the Abrasive Wheels would not release their classic "When The Punks Go Marching In" album until 1982, during the UK82 period.
Finally seeing a proper, non-picture disc (blech) re-issue treatment, as are many great, yet often forgotten bands of the era.



BARONESS - [Blue Album] Savannah, Georgia's BARONESS (originally from lexington, VA) would be shortchanged if they were referred to as simply a metal band; their ravenous fans know they are much more that. Hot on the heels of last years acclaimed "Red Record", the "Blue Record" received 4 and 1/2 stars from the reliable All Music Guide who boldly declared it on of the years top hard rock releases, period. More mind blowing artwork (from guitarist John Baizley), incredible deluxe double 180 gram vinyl with beautiful inserts and, of course, a free download. These came to us directly from RELAPSE, so you won't pay anymore than RELAPSE would charge you. This is a lot of record for not a lot of loot, in this day and age. Remember if you're a fan of anything RELAPSE related, we have established a direct line with them to bring you the best possible prices on their releases.


the FEELIES - Crazy Rhythms - "Of the countless bands to emerge from the New York City underground during the post-punk era, few if any were as unique and influential as the Feelies; nerdy, nervous, and noisy, even decades later their droning, skittering avant-garde pop remains a key touchstone of the American indie music scene."-AllMusicGuide (5 stars)
Here is a little piece of greatness maybe overlooked in a year of long overdue re-issues--The Feelies first lp released in 1980. Herky, jerky, VU influenced indie blueprint restored in its original glory. Also, ask Weezer if the cover looks familiar?

FLAMIN GROOVIES - Flamingo lp/Teenage Head lp/Slow Death lp.
Deluxe reissues of legendary San Fran cult band, often dubbed an "American Stones minus the blues with added nods to early rock and roll", the 'Groovies found themselves as a band out of time playing greasy rock and roll in hippie dominated Haight-Asbury in the late 60's. They remained a valid cult band who were incredibly influential regardless and found even greater acclaim in the friendlier confines of Europe. After Roy Loney split in the early 70s, the Groovies forged on cutting their classic power pop anthem and signature song, "Shake Some Action", which can be found on the 71-73 comp, SLOW DEATH. Released by the good folks at Norton Records, who also supply us with the Sonics, Gories, Dictators and loads more garage/soul albums--again, coming direct from the source.

FLAMING LIPS - Embryonic 2x lp - Not many bands are capable of holding their fans interest and releasing credible albums over a 25 year span. The Flaming Lips have managed this feat, continuing to make respected and acclaimed albums nearly 25 years after their debut, while re-inventing themselves countless times along the way. This time, it appears the band has taken bits from their noiser, wilder earlier days and started another "period".
Embryonic is another well packaged, double lp that has been a great seller and kept longtime fans eager for more. We seem to have a hard time keeping them in stock for long, so don't let this one slip by you.

HOMOSTUPIDS - the Load Skull Music. With Lean Steve ex-Nine Shocks Terror, an ex-Buffalo neandrathal-man and one of the most tireless drummers in the biz, Cleveland's wild HOMOSTUPIDS unleash their second "long player"--and while it may be their best "sounding" recording to date (aww, hell...it may be their best record) the band still sounds like frenzied cavemen with guitars. A slight evolution in sound from the Intern, the Load is one giant punch in the face and a kick to ribs before you realize you've hit the asphalt.

wait....theres more, including a blast of Matador re-stocks (Pixies, Pavement, GBV and more, as well as the latest lp's from Mission of Burma, the Mountain Goats and up and coming, critically acclaimed Lp's from Kurt Vile. Also, there is the latest from Yo La Tengo, the sprawling double, Popular Songs.

From the land of Dischord comes the anxiously anticipated re-issue of Jawbox - For Your Own Special Sweetheart, their great major label debut back in the hands of it's creators. Also, Gray Matter, Fugazi, some Dischord comps from years past and re-stocks of the classics.

Also in-stock is the Stone Roses self titled brit-pop masterwork, a snazzy re-issue commemorating the 25th anniversary of it's release.


Oh hey...look what the SST folks found in the back corner of their warehouse....a pallet full of ORIGINAL Saint Vitus albums. Just in time for the stoner rockers to discover them, re-discover them or just blaze to them. The label that usually supplies us with Black Flag, Husker Du, Minutemen and Descendents ( Milo is BACK!) records unearthed original copies of Born Too Young, Mournful Cries and the 2x lp comp of the early years, Heavier Than Thou. These are NOT re-issues, they are original copies of the albums long thought lost, sold out or...who knows. Whatever the case may be, they are here for now. We are not sure when the well will run dry, though. Now please find a pallet of Dicks, (LA) Stains and (Canadian) Subhumans records.
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Low Threat Profile 7" 10 blasters on seven inches for five bucks. I'm no math wiz, but that sounds like a good deal to me. More on the way from Deep Six, including a long out of print INFEST reissue.
Marked Men/This Is My Fist split 7"
Lemuria - Ozzy 7"
Fresh & Onlys - Trouble In Mind/Second One To Know 7"
Useless Eaters - sucked in 7"
Rational Animals - Distorted Temptation ep
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well, thats about enough to absorb for now. There will be a second part to this update with some staff favorites from the year (and other totally objective shit) along with reports of recent re-stocks from Real Estate, Mantles, Crime, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Hot Snakes (Suicide Invoice is here!) and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. And just when the hell those Spacemen 3 re-issues are coming in.

Until then, keep warm and get down to Scratch and see whats happening. After all, we can't tell you everything new that is in the store...that would kill the surprise of finding that thing you've been after. And take me forever to type. Thanks again for all your support, on behalf of Team Scratch.
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something else to look forward to in the year 2010:

details forthcoming.

anchovies 1.2.10