Record Store Day has rapidly become a big deal, and the frenzy that surrounds the exclusive releases is something that’s rather a double-edged sword, not least of all on account of the profiteering that goes on in its immediate wake, and from which the struggling (or even the thriving) independent stores benefit not one jot.
The Inkwell, a recently-opened boutique emporium in York, trades in new and second hand vinyl, CDs and books, and is everything you want from an independent store. It’s all about the browsing, the personal touch, love more than money. And decent coffee for a mere quid. Although not stocking any of the exclusive releases, and therefore not a listed RSD participant – although next year promises to be be different – The Inkwell got fully into the spirit of Record Store day. And why not?
That they managed to cram bands into the tiny shop, which is roughly the size of my very modest living room, was in itself no mean feat. We’re not talking acoustic sets, either: we’re talking amps and a vocal PA.
One of York’s hardest-gigging performers, Mark Wynn was running a fraction late as he was opening another triple bill at Attic Records across town beforehand (the first of three scheduled gigs in the city on this one day), but he plugged in and entertained a respectable crowd with his uniquely shambling brand of autobiographical / ranty / off the wall / semi-improvised song poetry, interspersed with anecdotes delivered with self-effacing humour.
As people began to move – many just as far as the pavement outside for a smoke – I took the opportunity to pick up a few times, including a vintage sci-fi novel, the hot-off-the-press ‘My Name’ 7” by THE BABIES and a limited edition CD EP by FAWN SPOTS, both on York label Bad Paintings. Yes, The Inkwell is big on stocking local bands and labels, too.
Now, much as I rate the raw blues of the behatted duo FOX NORTH COALITION, there was a beer with name on it in the pub round the corner, so I skipped out for a bit, but managed to make it back in time for THE BUCCANEERS, as they were constructing the drum kit in the doorway to the back room behind the counter. The temperature soared in the packed little room as they kicked out a lively set of proper old-school rock with a rugged bedrock hewn from rough ‘n’ ready blues. They play their most recent single, ‘Don’t Break Down’ (the 7” of which has appears on display all around the counter during the course of their set) and a rousing rendition of ‘Hound Dog’.
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In all, a cracking way to spend a Saturday afternoon. So while I may have been frustrated by the lack of special RSD available in York (Attic were only stocking a handful of titles, and despite being listed as a participating store, the York branch of That Entertainment weren’t stocking any), I ended the day feeling as though I’d experienced something much closer to the spirit of Record Store day than I would have if I’d spent three hours queuing outside Jumbo and Crash in Leeds. After all, that’s what it’s all about: supporting local independent record stores. If you’re fortunate enough to have one, it can be record store day every day.
The Buccaneers On MySpace
Mark Wynn Online
The Inkwell Online
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