Yesterday, writer Alan Ayo decided to name the “9 Best Record stores” in which to celebrate Record Store Day in North Texas, which will be this Saturday, April 20th. Now, because lists like these are often non-qualifiable, they often lead to arguments. That’s why they’re so popular. The writer can d0 zero research, throw it together and the content comes rolling in, crowd-sourced, and in the form of angry or agreeing comments. I usually ignore lists of this type now days, and on rare occasion, I’ll even write one myself.
But I will take issue with Ayo’s list, though right here, and not in a comment on CultureMap. I would like to think that most of the shops he named, which are all great, were named perhaps because they are hosting live music acts and feature food trucks and all of those other family-friendly perks that Record Store Day sometimes provides. But that’s not true; Movie Trading Company and Cloud 8 won’t have live music, and I imagine there won’t be food.
My point is, if you really want to know the two best record stores in North Texas, or “Dallas-Fort Worth” as that site prefers, they were left off of the list: Dead Wax Records in Carrollton, and Groove Net in Mesquite are the most unique, fairly-priced, and expertly curated stores in the area. They won’t have live music or anything like that, but you will find an improbable amount of lost treasure despite their respectively small size. So, have fun on Record Store Day, but don’t forget these two jewels the rest of the year.
THURSDAY
“Stereo On Strike” (Zubar): Tonight’s many guests include Left/Right, James Kelley, Karl Irwin, Rick Simpson, and Night Nurse. Jack Dover will also perform, which is what Wanz is performing under, as he focuses on “dark and unapologetic techno of the Detroit and Berlin variety,” as opposed to some of the other styles he has focused on in years past.
Pinkish Black (The Church): Also performing will be DJs Joe Virus and Per Nilsson, plus the The Funeral Party duo of Anthony Stanford and Keith P.
“Discipline” (Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios): This weekly is now a monthly, so you’ll have to get your Muslimgauze fix elsewhere. Just kidding. Nobody plays that anywhere. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Muslimgauze used extensively in the upcoming documentary by Jeremy Scahill, Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, which I caught at DIFF last week.
FRIDAY
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea/England in 1819/The Treelines (J&J’s Pizza): Even though the show is free, you have been advised to “tip” touring band. I love it.
Sans Soleil/Bludded Head/Akkolyte/Cerulean Giallo (Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios): If you’re wondering where Sans Soleil has been for hiding out, they relocated to Austin, but they’re bravely showing up to be the odd band out on this tough and high quality bill.
SATURDAY
Finding Flesh/Spacebeach/Mountain of Smoke/Bitch Teeth/Collick/Joy Sores (1919 Hemphill): There will be a “hip hop aftershow” next door after 1919 ends at its usual early wrap time, to acknowledge the release of KO49’s new mixtape, entitled Psymatix Vol. 1. I don’t know much about KO49, but I do think this instrumental sounds promising.
Soviet/Hormones/Oddlot/Rocket Arm/NotFugazi (The Crown and Harp): Fugazi cover band? Count me in, even though a female music writer once called me out for being an admirer of Mr. Mackaye. “So typical,” she said of most men she knew, and I’m paraphrasing, but that was the sentiment. Anyways, Fugazi songs are no simple matter and I saw a video where the group did an excellent job of “Shut the Door.” I hope to catch it live.
“Good Records Happy Thirteen & 6th Annual Record Store Day” (Good Records): This is the easily the best RSD/Anniversary party lineup I’ve seen here since that one time Farah played. It’s always fascinating to see what artists look like in the daytime. Here is the lineup with set times:
11am Shinyribs
Noon The Relatives
1pm Myopic
2pm Bashe
3pm Blackstone Rangers
4pm Whiskey Folk Ramblers
5pm Cutter
6pm A.Dd+
7pm Vulgar Fashion
8pm War Party
9pm Datahowler
10pm Dark Rooms
11pm Unconscious Collective
Track Meet will provide party music outside, all day in the parking lot.
“Record Store Day 2013” (Doc’s Vintage): This store was also left off of the aforementioned list, which is a crime against music capitalism as well. Doc’s will be hosting live music all day, from Toy Gun, New Science Projects, Doom Ghost, Pinkish Black, Vorvon, Mailman, and Sealion.
Paste Untapped Fort Worth (Panther Island Pavilion): Last fall’s inaugural event went off well, especially beverage-wise, and it will be interesting to see how this already evolving event will grow now that it has the national brand strength of the now completely online Paste Magazine, even if not everyone is crazy about what Paste represents, and even if not everyone can articulate what exactly it does represent. You can find more info here.
SUNDAY
Totes Brute/Exogorth/Black Cop/H Cough Noise/Daggerwound/Cold Sore (406 S. Haskell, in Dallas): Oh, these band names sometimes. Oddly enough, Totes Brute is probably the most offensive of the bunch.
Image: A detail from a shot of Dead Wax Records via Instagram. Credit: Andi Harman.
