Been getting things ready for Vinyl Road Rage Three, the mad dash across six states to find the coolest indie record stores in the USA. There has been much to do, including a stop at the sadly going-out-of-business local Chicago stalwart Deadwax Records, where many New Order and The The 12-inch singles were scored for cheap. It is a real shame that my Lincoln Square neighborhood will be short a record store when Deadwax closes…they were a wonderful part of the community and I shall miss Deadwax greatly.

Back to Vinyl Road Rage. I shall be journeying out of Chicago come Thursday morning, iPhone in hand and behind the wheel of the Dreadmobile, a blue Ford Escape packed with all manner of beverages, empty milk crates for the vinyl finds, and an unhealthy collection of CDs to listen to on the long drives ahead. For anyone who cares about such things, the playlist will include a LOT of dub by Scientist, King Tubby, Super Ape, I Roy, Augustus Pablo…you name it. Plus a lot of Italian Lounge, Manic Street Preachers, Orb, Big Black, Hexstatic, Skinny Puppy, Perry & Kingsley and Pulp.

I’m planning plenty of updates on this trip–more than the previous two between here and  lots of Facebook posting from this trip. If you’re into the FB, join me there for the updates.

It’s going to be a hell of a journey. Join me! My insane six-state vinyl blogfest/roadtrip begins Thursday at 9AM.

–Joe Wallace