Atlanta Record Store Day 2011

What came first, the music or the mistreatment? Do I collect records because I like being ignored or do I like being ignored, so ultimately I collect records?

Unlike going to the mall to buy a new album where you get bombarded at the door with “Welcome to [insert over priced music store here].” And the minimum wage paid high school kid starts telling me that “The new Lady Gaga CD is on sale for only 19.99!”, I enjoy going to record stores because the staff can’t be bothered to speak to me. If there’s a new album out– I’m going to have to hunt for it. And when I’ve finally found what I’m looking for, no one is going to try and sell me on a frequent shoppers card at the check out.

I imagine that most record store owners, staff and record collectors have a love/hate relationship with Record Store Day because it changes everything. People line up outside the stores hours before they open, more LP’s, EP’s and singles are released on Record Store Day than on any other day of the year and there’s free music paraphernalia galore. To our satisfaction it’s only one day out of the year, but it’s a lot like Christmas or maybe even New Year’s Eve.

Record Store Day is like amateur night at your favorite bar. You see all of the regulars there, but who the fuck are these other people who suddenly need Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours Double LP at 45rpm? The same way you deal with trying to get another beer before the ball drops, you stand in line hoping that Nirvana’s Hormoaning EP doesn’t sell out.

Some of my favorite stores in Atlanta that are participating in Record Store Day and the daily mistreatment of their customers are as follows:

Fantasy Land Records
360 Pharr Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 237-3193

Wuxtry
2096 N Decatur Rd
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 329-0020

Decatur CD
356 West Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 371-9090

Wax n’ Facts
Wax N Facts432
Moreland Ave NE
Atlanta,GA  30307
(404) 525-2275

Criminal Records
1154-A Euclid Ave NE
Atlanta GA 30307
(404) 215-9511

As usual Criminal Records is having the biggest Record Store Day party with an in-store fest. I could list all of the bands and starting times, but you won’t know who they are either…

Just kidding.

“The Indie record stores are the backbone of the recorded music culture. It’s where we go to network, browse around and find new songs to love. The stores whose owners and staff live for music and have spread the word about exciting new things faster and with more essence than either radio or the press. Any artist that doesn’t support the Ma and Pa record stores across America is contributing to our own extinction.”

~Joan Jett