BIG M’s Perfect Pop Co-Op Independent Record Shop Directory.

In this issue of In the Club the intrepid ‘BIG M’ moves swops his interviewing hat for a roving reporter one as part of a new feature for in the club on Record Shops (particularly ones selling vinyl) around the country.

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We hate the way the corporations have commodified and monitised music. Equally we have nothing but love and respect for the individuals out there who remain independent and have a passion for records and music.

Walk down any English high street and you’ll see the same coffee shops… the same mobile phone providers and the same Supermarkets (although we don’t have a Scooby whats ‘super’ about them). Our towns and cities continue their descent into homogenised blandness. One thing that helps English towns remain a kernel of individuality is the independent record shop!

As you can imagine we LOVE these establishments: For example, St. Albans’ Empire Records have always been champions of The Perfect Pop Co-Op and great believers of what we are trying to achieve.

Therefore, we have decided to compile a directory of Independent Record Shops we have visited and recommend to help you dear reader with your musical selections!

We have included as much detail as possible, but please contact the shops directly if you have any questions regarding opening hours, stock etc.

So, in no particular order (apart from the aforementioned Empire Records who will ALWAYS be our favourite) here is our directory.

This directory will grow with each edition of this mag - so make sure you’re signed up to subscribe to ‘In The Club’ for updates.

Happy record buying! Big Love - from Big M! x

Name: The Vinyl Frontier Date of Visit: 19th June 2023 Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex

This is not just a record shop. Think of it more as a musical hub, that caters for local musicians, music fans and last but not least, vinyl lovers.

Upstairs is a wonderful cafebar, but downstairs you will find the racks containing a selective choice of new and used vinyl.

So I was able to satisfy my vinyl urges and my caffeine dependency. A shop selling records whilst also providing great coffee, craft beer, wine and food??? Thats gotta be a Win-Win! Right?

The co-owner Rhydd, is a top bloke, with a great knowledge of the local scene, a good sense of humour and a wealth of musical history & knowledge. He also has a driving ambition to create a ‘scene’ in Eastbourne: The Vinyl Frontier have regular gigs and DJ nights featuring original artists and performers. In fact, Rhydd was just as vociferous as yours truly when it came to expressing dissatisfaction about endless, clone cover bands covering the same songs, night after night after night…

I found what I was looking for, The Pixies release for RSD 2023 fairly easily, I was then able to take me time and have a nose through the racks and as is sometimes my want I made an impulse purchase of something that caught my eye; in this case the album by Wand. Incidentally it was one of my impulse purchases, 10 years ago which lead to my discovery of the Perfect Pop CoOp! (But thats a story for another time).

I was then very pleased to discover, The Vinyl Frontier doesn’t hide away the 7” singles under the racks or in a dusty corner at the back of the shop. A lot of shops seem to do this-it’s almost like the 7”single is an afterthought-which is kinda sacrilegious in my book! My pleasure increased, when after going through the singles I discovered ‘Another Nail In My Heart’ - Squeeze are one of my favourite bands and I’m always looking to add to my collection of these South London legends. I was made up when I got home and gave it a spin, despite being 40 years old, it sounded and played great.

So my advice would be, if you are in East Sussex pop into The Vinyl Frontier, have a coffee, or something a little more stronger if thats your thing and check out and buy some great sounds.

BN21 4TT

T: 01323 410313

Think of it more as a musical hub, that caters for local musicians, music fans and last but not least, vinyl lovers.

Records bought:

At fist glance, the inside reminded me of a certain fruity tech store. But don’t worry dear readerthe staff in Vinilo are very warm, friendly and not at all condescending.

Records bought:

Name: Vinilo Record Store

Date of Visit: 24th June 2023.

Location: Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Continuing my impromptu Summer tour of INDEPENDENT record shops on England’s South Coast, I came across Vinilo.

At fist glance, the inside reminded me of a certain fruity tech store. But don’t worry dear reader-the staff in Vinilo are very warm, friendly and not at all condescending.

They also do not have those shiny but dead eyes, which people who are part of cults often seen to have.

Anyway, I digress. This is a great shop, well laid out with the racks sorted in alphabetical/genre order. When I walked in Lizzo was blasting out of the shop hi-fi. Now, not being up to speed on modern culture and not being down with The Youth, I had to ask my Daughter who was accompanying that day, who Lizzo was. Having established that was I was listening to was Lizzo, I confirmed to my very patient daughter that I really liked Lizzo’s energy and we found the ‘Lizzo’ section in the racks. By this time Lizzo had finished being energetic and Vinilo had started to spin something else. This is where the previously mentioned helpful staff came in to the story-My Daughter knew we had been listening to Lizzo, but did not know which album it was-obviously I didn’t have a Scooby.

After a bit of discussion my Daughter and the staff member established the album we had just heard was ‘Cuz I Love You’. Great! We’re getting somewhere!

Problem 1: ‘Cuz I Love You’ is the only Lizzo album NOT in the rack. Problem 2- Helpful Vinilo Staff Member No.1 thinks the only copy they have, is the one that has just been spun.

Then, Helpful Vinilo Staff Member No.2 pipes up and informs she “thinks there might be another copy in the back” and to give her “5 Mins”.

This is useful - I continue my browsing, and I find The Kinks and Sleaford Mods albums-in someways you could argue, that you couldn’t find two more diametrically opposed bands in terms of their style, output and delivery. But on the flip side, they are both quintessentially English: bands that could only ever have come from this country. Whilst I was thinking this, and congratulating myself on my oh so profound and wise musical philosophies, Helpful Vinilo Staff Member No.2 came back with the last copy in the shop of ‘Cuz I Love You’. Job Done.

I also picked up a re-release of the De La Soul album. I used to LOVE Rap/HipHop before it all became about ‘Bitches’, ‘Ho’s’ and ‘Bling’. Public Enemy used to rock my little 17 year old World, but I also loved the more mellow, laid back and melodic grooves of De La Soul. I’m also a sucker for coloured vinyl and this 180G double album came in a wonderful Opaque Magenta.

Like a lot of INDEPENDENT record shops, Vinilo also sell their own merchandisewhich I could not resist. So if in the future, somebody comes up to me and asks “have you ever heard of an INDEPENDENT record shop in Southampton called Vinilo?” I can reply and say “Vinilo? Literally been there, done that, Got the T-Shirt!”

Footnote: Two doors down from Vinilo is Vinilo Vintage, which contains all their pre loved vinyl. I only had time to briefly poke me head round the door, but a very good copy of John Lennon’s ‘Live In NYC’ was playing, which certainly piqued my interest.

Vinilo Record Store 43 - 47 Queensway Southampton

SO14 3BL

T: 0238 178 8656

E: info@vinilo.co.uk vinilo.co.uk

TRACK LISITING:

Circles - 4.16

Skin on Skin - 3.04

Face You See on Saturdays - 3.44

No-one Can Stop You - 3.00

Dependency - 3.51

In the Crowd - 3.43

Falling Asleep at My Desk - 3.13

Soft Focus Hocus Pocus - 2.39

When Destruction is Your Skill - 3.01

Tie a Piece of Cotton - 1.39

As you know we are always supportive of other people who get off their bums and put stuff on... One such hero of the PPCO is the mighty Hug(h)e Davenport, who also goes as Monty! We’ve been chums with Hug(h)e for well over 15 years and indeed Andreas & The Wolf had him as a guest on their 2022 Christmas Radio Show, so you know the calibre of man we are talking about... Anyway, following a couple of years in semi Rock’n’Roll retirement, the great man is back with a new show on 3Bs Radio. It goes out on a Tuesday between 7pm and 9pm and if you click the to the right next week, you’ll be magiked there by us... Good luck to Hug(h) e great to have you back and see you soon for a PPCO Hijack!

A message from the man himself!

I’m looking for new music & unsigned local bands (Northampton, Brackley, Bicester, Buckingham, Milton Keynes) to feature on my newly launched radio show (“Above the Garage”, 3bsradio.co.uk ). Mainly indie, folk, folk-rock, Americana. Please contact me here or at MontyDavenport@outlook.com

Great to see The Priscillas back in action with a new single... (Having last seen them when they shared a stage with The Tuesday Club at the last Nambucca in 2022 at the Gene Loves Jezebel show). A single coincidentally named after my mum, but actually, a reference to a poster #askforangela that hangs in women’s loos in bars, pubs, and venues across the country which is part of a national campaign safersounds.org.uk wave that deals with sexual violence and abuse in communities,” according to lead singer Jenny Drag.

Here’s a bit more info from their press release. Andreas & The Wolf played the track on their July radio, where they likened it to Jitled John meets Lilly Allen! But I’m sure you’ll have heard it and know that aleady! If not, check the video on the next page and then go to bandcamp and do the right thing and buy it! (all links you’ll ever need are below the video, so no excuses now!)

BIG thanks to the magnifient Jola Drums for getting in touch and treating us to this little Perfect Pop gem!

The Priscillas are back with their brand-new digital single ‘Angela’ – and it feels like they’ve never been away! Blending crunchy guitar hooks, sweet harmonies and an infectious pop sensibility with searing social commentary, this bittersweet confection finds the band on roaring form on which they’ve built their reputation as one of London’s most exciting rock’n’roll bands.

Could it be any other way? Having blazed a trail with their own thrill-inducing shows and festival appearances across the UK, Europe and the USA, The Priscillas have shared bills with The Damned, Pussy Riot and Gene Loves Jezebel among others, as well as recording celebrated sessions for BBC 6 Music, Resonance FM and WFMU in New York. Little wonder that The Priscillas’ status as Holloway’s bubblegum queens remains undiminished –and rightly so!

As mentioned in the intro... “’Angela’ is a code word. If you feel unsafe you can ask the bar staff if Angela is there, and they will inform a trained member of staff to help. I think we manage to convey a serious message but in an upbeat, catchy tune!”.

Recalling the song’s composition, Jenny Drag continues: “The first time we came across the poster was at Brixton Academy. When I saw it, I started singing versions of the lyrics and the other Priscillas started joining in with harmonies. It practically wrote itself.” The accompanying video was directed by Paul McLoone.

“It depicts three women (played by The Priscillas) in different scenarios where each feels cornered, uncomfortable, or intimidated when they’re going about their day or on a date,” explains Drag. “I’m playing the role of the bartender symbolising the beacon which is Angela. My message is for women to not be ashamed to ask for help and that if you find yourself in this situation, not to feel alienated as there are those who will understand and want to help. By the end of the video, all the women have taken control of their situation.”

She adds: “It is not an anti-men song; more an anti-creep song for women or anyone really, not to tolerate being put in a compromising position. Ask for help if needed, you won’t be judged!”

‘Angela’ is out NOW on all streaming platforms!

Gigs

Fri 1 Sept 2023

100 Club, London, with Gaye Bykers On Acid

Sat 2 Sept 2023

Hope & Ruin, Brighton, with Gaye Bykers On Acid

Jenny Drag – Vocals

Valkyrie – Guitars/vocals

Taylor – Bass/vocals

Jola – Drums

“The Priscillas’ sheer exuberance is exactly what rock & roll should be” - The Quietus

“Holloway’s hellcats truly take off” - Classic Rock

“A melding of punk, rock ‘n’ roll and power pop, London all-girl band

The Priscillas are causing quite a stir” - Vive le Rock

“Near perfect Power Pop” - NME ilovethepriscillas.bandcamp.com thepriscillas.co.uk facebook.com/thepriscillasband instagram.com/priscillasthe