Tag Archives: vinyl records

YouTube Vinyl Junkies

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by Joe Wallace
I was contacted earlier this week by a fellow vinyl junkie and YouTube poster about a growing community of vinyl collectors who post video clips about vinyl collecting, their latest finds and other topics. I had no idea this sort of thing was happening on YouTube–I usually go there for exploitation movie trailers and related ephemera.

So it was with great delight that I found a massive trove of posts about vinyl, collecting, finds, etc. These aren’t produced or slickly done with titles and effects, etc. Just people who LOVE the format, the discoveries, and the excitement of being involved in a community like this.

Here’s a sampling of some of those videos, but there are MANY more online waiting to be discovered. One of the very best vids I’ve seen so far (by poster MrHoffame) who shares some really important information about insurance specifically for your vinyl record collection. Amazing, and VERY good to know. Did you know some vinyl insurance policies are SUPER cheap and have NO DEDUCTIBLES? See MrHoffame’s clip “Vinyl Collectors Should Know” below–it’s the third and final one on the page. Viva Vinyl!


How It’s Made on Making Vinyl Records

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We continue our reports from Vinyl Road Rage tomorrow–there are plenty of record stores still to come from our road trip–but first, have a look at this fun clip on how vinyl records are made, courtesy of the Science Channel’s How It’s Made show.

Embedding was disabled so we can only link to it (see above) but the clip is definitely worth a look. One beef we have with these clips though–is it really necessary to explain that vinyl is making a comeback each and every time the subject comes up?

Other than that, this is a great piece…it’s always fun to see what it takes to actually create a vinyl album–it is NOT easy or cheap to do, so any band that takes the time and trouble to go beyond digital has our respect.

That might actually be a big part of why weirdness on vinyl is so special–somebody BOTHERED, and the fact that the end product is so strange makes the entire exercise more unique. Stay tuned for more Vinyl Road Rage tomorrow.

Tracks, Bloomington Indiana

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by Joe Wallace

Bloomington, Indiana has some great record stores. Since it’s a college town it’s not surprising that there’s a cluster of decent shops within a short distance of one another, and the town in general is worth a serious look if you’re on the road–vinyl junkie or not.

Tracks is a shop that wins early bird points as it’s open before any of the other shops I could find. Since that’s the case, a chronic early riser and road warrior will have a bit of fun browsing this shop before the other stores open up.

Tracks has a lot of grandpa rock in the stacks to be sure, but there is also an assortment of new, sealed music and attention to a couple of genres that should attract collectors looking for classic punk and metal releases.

All the Black Flag vinyl you can eat! There is also a nice selection of vintage audio gear, which the shopkeepers definitely seem to love. The selection of used vinyl includes a discount bin, which is a must if you ask me…but in my own case, my obsessions were a bit scarce–good soundtracks were hard to find though I’m told there was a recent record show in the area so it’s possible the selection had been picked over before I arrived.

Tracks hides the records all the way in the back of the shop. Walking in you might think you’ve come into the wrong store as there are rows and rows of college tees, hoodies and Indiana-related merchandise. Just keep moving to the back of the shop and you’ll find the records and stereo gear. All in all, this is a pretty typical selection of new and used vinyl, but punk and metal collectors should take a look as there is a concentration of titles in those genres–at least the day I was there.

Backbeats Record Store, Rantoul Illinois

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by Joe Wallace

I had been dying to check out Backbeats Record Store in Rantoul, Illinois since I read a very good online review of the store in 2010 while planning Vinyl Road Rage #2. I was never able to make the trip until this go-round, and I have to say I was not disappointed.

Backbeats is the kind of record store I like–one that has some thought put into the overall presentation, doesn’t limit itself to the easy genres (grandpa rock, new wave, R&B, etc) and has some style and atmosphere going for it.

The store isn’t open seven days a week–and in a small town like Rantoul, Illinois, it’s a wonder there’s enough of a buying community to support a store I enjoy this much–but it’s well worth the wait.

At the time of this writing, Backbeats has a weekend schedule starting on Thursdays.  The store is closed Mon/Tues/Weds/ so out-of-towners, plan accordingly. And yes, you should definitely make the trip.

There’s plenty of mainstream vinyl stuff on sale at Backbeats, but I managed to find plenty of more obscure 80s and 90s titles, and there was a nice selection of 12 inches from record store stalwarts Souixsie and the Banshees. Backbeats is no slouch in the soundtracks department, either. Soundtrack junkies should definitely take a look–I did pretty well in this section, which often gets overlooked at record shops that don’t think those titles are just as fun to browse as all those Ohio Players albums and Nancy Sinatra titles. Good prices, too.

The store is well organized, very friendly, and there is plenty to see aside from vinyl; this is a safe destination for what I personally call a “lopsided couple”–two people who don’t have the same obsessive fascination for all things vinyl can shop at Backbeats without either one feeling like they’re just marking time while the other browses.

Backbeats lives up to the reviews, and I’ll definitely be coming back here. I hope Rantoul appreciates what it’s got in its own back yard, I hope the community supports this excellent indie record store the way it deserves.