LIVE MUSIC & MORE
continued from previous page
Hüsker Dü, Waylon Jennings, Ramones (curated by Morrissey), Wu-Tang Clan, and more. And, while you may think the college kid desperate for that Conor Oberst limited 7” is a subdued and gentle creature, that can all change when he’s cloistered with hundreds of like minds, all outnumbering the shop’s stock. “People went nuts,” Graveface remembers of April’s Record Store Day Proper. Not expecting such a huge turnout, Graveface didn’t set rules or restrictions, as some bigger shops do for the occasion. “We unlocked the door… and it was upsetting,” he says. The line wrapped around the shop, down Desoto Row, and circled all the way down 41st St. When the doors swung open, it was a stampede—granted, Graveface says, not necessarily the kind you see online where people are trampled at Best Buy—but certainly a mess inside the little shop. There were even reports of theft, despite seven employees being on duty; the crowd was just that thick. This year, there will be a “bouncer” to welcome five vinylphiles at a time. Only one copy of a title per person is allowed. All in all, it’s a fun occasion, and a neat way to approach an otherwise kind of gross day of consumer gluttony. “People like me, I’ve never done Black Friday,” Graveface says. “But I think that if there was a title I wanted, I’d totally do it. It’d be a hell of a lot of fun, actually.” There’s almost a game element to it: check out the titles online, make a list, line up, and lay your hands on that exquisitely etched LP that you and only a few other people in the world will have in their collection. “That’s the thing,” says Graveface. “I think people enjoy the waiting and anticipation.” You can technically get the release online thirty minutes after they go on sale, but where’s the fun in that? It’s the thrill of the hunt, going elbow to elbow with your friends and neighbors, then taking the haul home to listen together that’s the reason for the season. Graveface seen both sides of it, as a label owner and business owner. Graveface purchases all RSD titles, and they’re all nonrefundable. He also makes sure to get bestsellers, like the Radiohead catalog, due to the increased traffic. Simply put, it’s not a cheap endeavor. “I think we made like, a dollar or something,” Graveface says of last Record Store Day. “Seriously.” Additionally, what started as a celebration of small, independent labels has attracted major labels, smelling an opportunity.
“Now majors are like, ‘We can actually get rid of 5,000 copies of a Jimi Hendrix demo that most bootlegs have had for 30 years.’ And that 5,000 copies turns into 10,000 by day of, and then they sell them all and knock out the little guy.” The idea that 10,000 copies is “limited” in and of itself is absurd; as Graveface notes, this year’s top-selling vinyl, Jack White’s Lazaretto, has sold 60,000 copies—and it’s the bestselling vinyl record in 20 years. And with majors jumping on the chance to crank out product, some vinyl manufacturers push indie orders back when a big label order comes in. Some independent labels won’t get their Black Friday Record Store Day vinyl until 2015. (Graveface is still awaiting the highlyanticipated annual Marshmallow Ghosts Halloween release. He ordered in August, didn’t get them in October, and hoped to at least get them out in time for Record Store Day. They still haven’t arrived.) Despite changes, frustrations, and a slim profit margin, it’s all worth it. The holiday welcomes a slew of new customers, and even brings a new kind of visitor to Savannah. “I’ve got emails from people in Brunswick, Athens, some towns in South Carolina I haven’t heard of,” says Graveface. “People who are like, ‘What time are you opening? We’re driving down.’ I wasn’t planning on doing anything until I got those emails.” It’s part of the reason for implementing rules; Graveface wants out-of-towners to have a positive experience in the shop, and in Savannah. Keep an eye out for the dollar record rack and markdowns throughout the store; DJs will provide a soundtrack while you shop, starting at noon. There will also be a raffle with rad prizes, gift certificates and Whirr and Black Moth Super Rainbow test pressings among them (those are some highly valuable Graveface releases, so nab those tickets!). There’s more, but Graveface wants to keep it a surprise; you’ll just have to line up to find out. Does Graveface himself have his eye on a release? Though he’s first and foremost concerned with customers getting their titles, he admits he’s been ogling a Lee Hazelwood box set. On how to successfully navigate the shop and ensure a successful Record Store Day for all, Graveface wryly advises: “Be sweet. We’re sweet, you’re sweet, everybody’s happy. Peace and love.” CS Black Friday Record Store Day at Graveface Graveface Records & Curiosities, 5 W. 40th St Begins 10 a.m. Fri. Nov. 28
Wednesday, Nov. 26th
WORMSLOEW Friday, Nov 28th
VOODOO SOUP Saturday, Nov 29th
KARAOKE
Come sing your favorites!
LADIES NIGHT Tues GREAT FOOD Kitchen open late
15
TVS
7360 SKIDAWAY RD • 354.8288 SANDFLYSPORTSBAR.COM
H Mondays @ 8pm • 21+ A THINKIN FELLAS UNION LOCAL 37 N Team Triva Re-Dux @ 8pm G HAPPY HOUR 5PM-8PM F Thursdays @ 10pm I R PBR STREET GANG KARAOKE E voted best college bar and best signature drink BEST OF SAVANNAH • 2014 •
37 Whitaker St Downtown 443.9956
NOV 26-DEC 2, 2014
record store day |
25