For the third year, independent record stores across the country are celebrating Record Store Day. On Saturday, more than 700 stores, including more than a dozen in Northeast Ohio, will offer piles of exclusive, limited-edition music and merchandise and in-store appaearances by musicians.
Read on for a partial list for some of the one-time-only merch and deals. First, though, here’s a rundown of some area stores, what they’re doing and what they’ll be offering.
For even more info about Record Store Day, and for a complete list of some of the items created for it, visit recordstoreday.com. If you're looking for any specific merch, call ahead first to make sure the store carries it.
"[Record Store Day] reminds people there are independents in any business that need to survive," says Record Den owner Gary Beaumont, "or there are one or two businesses that will control everything." —D.X. Ferris
Square Records (824 W. Market St., Highland Square, Akron, 330.375.9244) is selling $20 mystery bags of posters, music and T-shirts. The store is concentrating on 7-inch records, including a Black Keys/Flaming Lips split, Pavement and Guided by Voices. Low in the Sky's Joe Minadeo will play improvised electronic-acoustic sets at 2 and 6 p.m. Chill indie band Dinomania will play at 8 p.m.
Record Den (7661 Mentor Ave Mentor, 440.946.9909) has ordered 4,000 assorted pieces, including the new Slayer single "Psychopathy Red." Only 5,000 copies of the blood-red vinyl 45 were made worldwide. The Pretenders' "Break Up the Pavement" single will also be available on red vinyl, with an unreleased track.
Celebrating its 14th anniversary, Ultrasound (36495 Vine St., Willoughby, 440.975.9570) will have a Jesus Lizard 7-inch box set, Guided by Voices' Hold on Hope (on vinyl for the first time) and EPs from Death Cab for Cutie, MC5 and the Stooges.
