What can you say about the last year, we are all ready to move on but we would like to wish you ALL the very best for the New Year and hopefully we will all have a better one in 2021.
Thank you so much for your support , although operating Saturdays CLICK and COLLECT for now we will be back with new Opening Times as soon as this is possible.
Not the Christmas we all planned for and hopefully next years will be closer to what we are used too, for now all the very best from us all and have the best Christmas possible under the circumstances...take care and see you in the New Year.
Following the Welsh Government briefing today we can confirm that this time it will be possible to operate a CLICK AND COLLECT system. For more details visit our APPOINTMENTS page on our website. This will start on Saturday 2nd January 2021
TOP 50
Better late than never, we have been waiting
for the last few arrivals to finalise our best sellers vinyl album chart
for 2020. It is a list based solely on sales not preference but we have
to say despite everything its been a busy year for releases and some
cracking albums too.
1.Mansun-The Dead Flowers Reject
2.Neil Young-Homegrown
3.PJ Harvey-Rid of me
4.King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizzard-Chunky Shrapnel
5.Idles-Ulta Mono
6.PJ Harvey-To bring you my love
7.Fontaines DC-A heros Death
8.Working Mens Club0Workingmens Club
9.Jehnny Beth-To love is to live
10.PJ Harvey-Dry
11.Nick Cave-Idiot Prayer
12.PJ Harvey-Dry demos
13.Doves-The Universal want
14.PJ Harvey-To bring you my love demos
15.David Bowie-Changesnowbowie
16.PJ Harvey-4 track demos
17.The Flaming Lips-American Head
18.AC DC-Power up
19.David Bowie-Metrobolist
20.Alison Cotton-Only Darkness now
21.Tame Impala-Slow Rush
22.Late Night Final-A wonderfl hope.
23.John Parish and Polly Jean Harvey-Dance Hall at Louse Point
24.Agnes Obel-Myopia
25.Rose City-Summerlong
26.Pigs,Pigs,Pigs...-Viscerals
27.Oasis-Whats the Story (anniversary edition)
28.Osees-Protean Threat
29.Kavus Torabi-Hip to the Jag
30.Laura Marling-Song for our daughter
31.Liam Gallagher-MTV unplugged
32.Courteeners-More Again Forever
33.Omar Souleyman-Shlon
34.Iron Maiden-Nights of the Dead
35.King Gizzard and The Lizzard Wizard-Live in San Francisco
36.Neil Young and Crazy Horse-Return to Greendale
37.Joy Division-Closer (40th Anniversary edition)
38.Guns n Roses-Greatest Hits
39.the National-High Velvet expanded
40.Mugstar-Graft
41.The Strokes-The New abnormal
42.This is the Kit-Off Off On
43.Eels-Earth to Dora
44.Angel Olsen-Whole new Mess
45.The Stone Roses-Remixes
46.Acanthus-Le Frission Des Vampires
47.Pearl Jam-Gigaton
48.LA Witch-Play with Fire
49.Bob Mould-Blue Hearts
50.White Hills- Splintered Metal Sky
Incidentally our top selling CD album was:
AC DC-Power up
Following the announcement by the Welsh government this afternoon it means we will be unable to open on Monday due to the Lockdown restrictions from Midnight tonight. We will update on our next steps soon.
In view of the announcement in the last hour of another Lockdown looming in Wales ..something to lighten the mood.
50 YEARS - NOSTALGIA 'TRIP'..continued
With the year we have all had our mission of revisting 12 shops that now exist as something else became a mission impossible.but we had this one in 'the can' visited back in January of this year......We will continue our journey in 2021 .
So for now here is the last of this year, No.8
BARGAIN BOX - LISCARD
Cherry Tree Shopping Centre
I may need some help on this one, if anyone out there remembers it? Just over the road from Gravy Train in the shopping centre was
the record shop Bargain Box,it was always an exciting Saturday visit
(taking in the two shops) but can i find any information on it? May have
been some strange dream but i have vinylific evidence so it must be
true. The fact is i was a regular , what i am beginning to question is the shop name. It sold new vinyl, my first purchase there being Babe Ruth-First Base but the
one shown here was by a band called Seventh Wave. The shop itself was
compact but sold competitively priced new vinyl....and lots of Rock Music. Not sure what happened to the shop, maybe it still exists in a parrallel universe.
SEVENTH WAVE - PSI FI
Released
on Gull records in 1975 i was immediately drawn to it by the artwork
and the sort of glam get up of Ken Elloitt and Kieran O Connor on the
back of the sleeve. This was a studio project by the two musicians and
was a keyboard based prog album which i really enjoyed when i got home
so a worthwhile purchase of the unknown.The decision to buy was i have
to say slightly tipped by the fact that High Banton pops up on the
album!Just a bit of trivia, Ken Elloit went on the write music for TV
including ITVs lunchtime news bulletin First report.The album was
produced by Neil Richmond who was to be a future producer of
Motorhead,this album couldnt be further away from that. It is an album
with excellent stereo effects and crossovers, excellent through a decent
pair of headphones too.
What great find from a great little shop.
CHRISTMAS BREAK
We have decided to close for
Christmas at 2pm on Monday 21st December, the thought of going through
the last few days and Christmas Eve at the shop without the usual
coming together,fortification and Mince pies was too much to take!
So just to confirm our remaining hours are this Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm and the Monday 10am-2pm.
Return to the shop will depend on Welsh Government guidance, the intention if possible is Saturday 2nd January.
LOVE RECORD STORES
This intiative launched during the Summer Lockdown to support Independent Record shops returns today with a release announcement of limited edition variants of their albums of the year.
We will be stocking a selection which will just appear on our Website Online Store and be placed in the racks as and when they arrive. Note,the titles will not all be released at the same time, more of a roll out over the next few Months with the first releases this Friday.
It has just been announced that RSD 2021 will beon Saturday 12th June. More information aswe go!
RUSH HOUR IN MOLD AT 8am
With the first arrival at the shop this morning at a staggering 3.30am,
thats not happened before for Black Friday we just wanted to express
our thanks for all the support. Also,to those who went for the text
option at 10am this eemed to work for those who couldnt make it due to
work or other committments. I dont know what it is, but it warms the
heart to see such wonderful way music lovers have with each other,
prepared to pass on a title if someone wanted it more ....this is
exactly why we continue to participate, we are very fortunate to have
had so many happy occassions at the shop long may it continue. Have to
dig my old Love and Peace poster out, sums it up perfectly
BLACK FRIDAY PLUS
Shop open from 8am until 4pm tomorrow for RSD Black Friday releases, more information on our Website RSD page.In addition (before listing on our website) we will offer any leftovers from RSD Drops 1-3 at half price.This offer is for this Friday and Saturday only.
BLACK FRIDAY INLINE NOT ONLINE
We are the strange
position of being one of the few Independent Record shops actually able
to open for Black Friday. With England locked down it will maybe down to
a handful of shops actually participating physically although as with
RSD titles will be sold online from Independent shops on that evening
from 6pm. Our plan in Mold is to open the same as we managed for the
first two RSD Drops (socially distanced,one in one out), so our shop
will be open at 8am on Friday 27th November staying open until 4pm. We
appreciate with this being a Friday its not ideal but it is Black Friday
and unlike the USA where its is the start of the run in to Christmas,
here its just a regular weekday. Full guide to how we manage the day and
titles expected can be found on our website RSD page. Should you be
unable to make it on the day feel free to text us(07904688739) after
10am on Black Friday and we will respond ASAP and inform if any of your
wants are still available.
Today, 20th November is BBC6Music t shirt day, send a pic up in of your favourite band/artist and they will play a track. Use hashtag #tshirtday.
FIRE BREAK ENDS
With Wales ending the current Firebreak tomorrow it means we can re open our shop this week. The closure a day before the last RSD drop seems a long time ago even though its just been 17 days. We will be open Friday and Saturday this week 10am till 4pm but flying slightly under the radar we will also be at the shop this Thursday afternoon 1pm to 4pm - just getting set for the resumption at the shop, so if you have anything you want to pick up feel free to pop in. All RSD orders are bagged up ready to go and for some this must have seemed quite a wait to get your hand on those limited editions ordered back in October.
With the first week of Lockdown underway just to let you know we are still active behind the scene -new arrivals, orders and pre orders are unaffected . The end of Lockdown is currently 9th November so fingers crossed we can kick on again from there.
Wow, that was different, but thankfully this end ran quite smoothly after a certain amount of trepidation as 8am got closer this morning. I know its not what we wanted but cant thank everyone enough for going with the idea of a TEXT queue. As texts came in i was imagining the chat that would have taken place which is always a big part of the day for us. So, its almost done we have updated our RSD page to reflect whats left (just single copies of each), those sold have the title struck through. I hope this also worked for you and dont forget if you missed out on anything many Independent Record shops will be selling RSD titles online from 6pm tonight, me i'm off for a lie down!
Our option of a TEXT QUEUE for RSD will start at 8am in the morning so any titles we have up to a maximum of 5 sorted on a first come first served basis. As it is something of a lottery this time we can only accept TEXTS from 8am and beyond NOT BEFORE. We will respond as quickly as possible but please bear with us as this is an untried method brought on by the unusual times we find ourselves in. But if unsuccesful with your RSD requests dont panic as many Independent Record Shops will be selling RSD titles online from 6pm Saturday 24th October. For more information on those participating online visit the official Record Store Day Website.
We have now finalised our list for the 3rd RSD drop, this can be found on our website RSD page and includes some late additions and prices.
Not ideal or as much fun but here is how we will approach the final RSD Drop.
1. TEXT 07904688739 WITH WANTS from 8am this SATURDAY (check our RSD list first)
2. This will place you in a queue to select your preferred titles.
3. TEXT ARTIST NAME ONLY to keep it brief (only ONE of any title)
4. MAX of 5 titles per TEXT but ok to send a seperate text for any additional titles.
5. We will respond as soon as possible to inform if the titles requested can be provided.
6. Logistics,pick ups,payment will be sorted on an individual basis.
7. These are all very limited, so if you text good luck!
*Any titles over will be listed on our website from 6pm that evening. Most independent shops
participating will have titles online from 6pm too.
It may take a little while to respond, this will depend on interest but we will let you know as soon as possible.
PLEASE NOTE-PLEASE DONT COME TO THE SHOP ON THE DAY AS WE WILL BE CLOSED FOLLOWING WELSH GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWN RULES.
With temporary closure of our shop at the weekend for a 16 day Fire Break (Welsh Government restrictions) we will be open for 3 days this week to give the opportunity (if needed) for collection of orders/pre orders/new releases or just a general browse.
Opening times:
Wednesday 10am-4pm
Thursday 10am-4pm
Friday 10am-6pm
*Information about the last RSD Drop will be posted out on Wednesday.
With todays announcement that Non essential shops will close in Wales from 6pm this Friday 23rd October we will now have to revert to Plan B for the 3rd RSD Drop as we will be unable to open this Saturday. We have been anticipating this and will post out details by Wednesday of our alternative arrangements.
This will also mean we will not re open our Record Shop until the week of 9th November, We will of course be working behind the scene and taking orders and pre orders through our website which could be collected when we reopen for business.
RSD 3rd DROP
Saturday 24th October.
We will post out early next week our plans for RSD, just hanging on in case any further Government restrictions that may affect how we approach the day. In the meantime we are updating our Website RSD to reflect arrivals (these will be priced), more arriving right up to the day.
RECORD FAIRS
The old saying that goes NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS doesnt really apply here but thought only right to keep you updated in a week that would have been the visit to Bromborough. Just to re confirm that we now have NO Record Fairs this year.The current restrictions and travel/lockdowns reinforce our early decision to postpone all Record Fairs for 2020. Difficult as it is it was the right decision in light on what has and is happening. Factors include travel to and from different areas for fair goers and Record dealers,venue restrictions and the safety of all. Although our events cannot be compared to the gigs/live music we are all missing the outlook is the same. There are a few other Record Fairs happening across the UK but mostly these are outdoors more akin to a market stall setup. These are reliant on the British weather which in iteself brings its own issues
for vinyl sales outdoors.
So,for now much as we would love to give you some encouraging news for our Record Fairs but at the moment its still ...lets wait and see.
The list for BLACK FRIDAY is announced globally at 6pm tonight.There will be great selection of titles being released for the day, with the possibility of more to be added.We will soon advise
which titles expected in at our shop for the event, 3rd RSD drop to do yet! Black Friday takes place on 27th November and is a global RSD event which is to be delivered in
the same way as the RSD drops to Independent shops only!
With Flinshire going into Lockdown this week, if you are outside the area but have a Pre Order due for collection or wish to order from our Online store visit our Website MAIL ORDER page where you will find details of themporary arrangements until the Lockdown restrictions are lifted.
We are open for business as usual Fridays and Saturdays 10am till 4pm. Please note Welsh Government guidance from 6pm Thursday 1st October. This will not affect our opening times at present. For anyone outside Flintshire we may have to revert to Mail Order for those who need their vinyl ASAP. More on this by the weekend
From 1st October Flintshire will be under additional restrictions limiting movement , we are waiting to see how long this lasts and any impact it may have on the next RSD Drop.
Thanks again so much for the support for the 2nd instalment of this Years RSD yesterday, especially those who braved the elements through the night (it was chilly) Alan being extra keen getting there at midnight. Despite social distancing conditions in place the banter was still there and this an integral part of the day.So, its two down one to go the next and final RSD drop of 2020 being on Saturday 24th October. We will update our website RSD over the coming weeks to inform of titles expected in.
With just a few days to go to the 2nd RSD Drop this Saturday 26th September
TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1.SHOP OPEN 8am-SOCIAL DISTANCING
2.ONE IN ONE OUT
3.USE SANITISER PROVIDED ON ENTRY TO SHOP-GLOVES AVAILABLE
4.FREEBIES FOR THE FIRST FEW
5.WE CANNOT PROVIDE FOOD AND DRINK THIS TIME, FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY REASONS
6.YOU CAN PURCHASE UP TO 5 ITEMS BUT ONLY ONE OF ANY TITLE
7.OPEN THROUGHOUT DAY UNTIL 4pm
8.WE WILL TAKE LOCAL PHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN 6-7pm THAT EVENING IF YOU CANT MAKE IT TO THE SHOP
9.SHOP OPEN SUNDAY 27th September 10am-2pm FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY*
10.OBSERVE WELSH COVID-19 RULES THROUGHOUT VISIT
This is a much smaller DROP than last time so we are limiting customers to a max 5 titles.
*Note, we are already taking appointments for the Sunday and a good option if you dont feel
like coming to the shop on RSD , 15 minute slots to see whats left.
For more comprehensive details including the list of titles expected visit our website RSD page.
With just over a week to go until the 2nd RSD drop we will be receiving releases over the coming days, these will be priced up early next week to reflect which titles we will have instore on Saturday 26th September. Visit our website RSD page for more information about the day.
From next Monday it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops, so this will have to be something we adhere to until further notice. We will still maintain the 2 metre rule with ONE IN ONE OUT and note a mask only has to be worn on entry and can be removed on exit.Like all things connected to this strange year, not ideal but if it keeps us safe then a small price to pay.
Part of our way back after the tricky time we have all had is to readjust hours on amonthly basis. So, September sees a return to full time Friday and Saturday opening times on a ONE IN ONE OUT at the shop. In addition we will add 15 minute appointment slots on Friday afternoons between 4 and 5pm. For more information on this visit oue APPOINTMENTS page on our website. At the end of September we will reassess the current situation and inform you of any possible changes.
RSD
Well that was different an yet very similar in many ways. Thanks
so much for your amazing support,there have been many sleepless nights
leading up to this 1st Drop but hopefully it worked albeit in a new
form. There are no words that can fully express our gratitude to
everyone, we had not envisaged a queue of that size (and that early)
especially in these strange times we are all going through. From the 1st
arrival at the shop 4pm on the Friday to close at 4pm on Saturday it
was amazing to see so many people and we still got to chat in a socially
distanced way. To us and it seems to so many music lovers there really
is nothing that can replace picking up and album from a record shop, not
sure how the shops who chose online only from 6pm coped, but it just
wouldnt have been the same. We do accept it was probably the right thing
for some shops but given the size of our shop One in One out does work
and if possible we will seek to continue this for the 2nd RSD Drop.It
was a cold night/early morning not what you would expect in August heres
hoping for a hot September! The on off saga of RSD 2020 is now
underway with 2 more drops to come on the last Saturdays of September
and October. We hope you got at least something off the list you were
after. We will update you soon about the 2nd and 3rrd RSD Drops.Note the
next drop is Saturday 26th September.
With the first RSD DROP this Saturday 29th August, just a few final details.
All titles will be set out A-Z in boxes with the exception of 7 and 10 inch singles which will all be in the first box but nonetheless set out in A-Z order. For safety reasons we will not pass a physical printed RSD list to customers outside the shop but all are viewable on our website RSD page which you can also access via smart phones.
All titles are priced with removable pricing stickers.
Card payments are preferable but we will accept cash.
We are ready to go now so if you feel you want to visit the shop we will open prompt at 8am in the morning, if not you can check what we have left by text (07904688739) between 6pm and 7pm or book one of the few remaining appointment slots for Sunday.
With just 2 days to go until the first RSD Drop this Saturday 29th August just to
remind you know opening times for RSD are 8am-4pm on the Saturday (socially disatnced) with appointments only on the Sunday 10am-2pm, these appointments are booking up but still a few slots left if of interest,you can check slots on our Website Appointments page.In addition we will make our phone available from 6pm-7pm on Saturday if you want to check availability of any RSD titles. All in a mix of options and with 3 drops planned for 2020 the aim is to ensure RSD is delivered enjoyably and safely.
PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT BE OPEN THIS FRIDAY, we are allowing this time for last minute preparations for the day.
RSD DROP 29th August 2020
TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1.SHOP OPEN 8am-SOCIAL DISTANCING
2.ONE IN ONE OUT
3.USE SANITISER PROVIDED ON ENTRY TO SHOP-GLOVES AVAILABLE
4.FREEBIES including official RSD TOTE BAG for the first few
5.WE CANNOT PROVIDE FOOD AND DRINK THIS TIME, FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY REASONS
6.YOU CAN PURCHASE UP TO 10 ITEMS BUT ONLY ONE OF ANY TITLE
7.OPEN THROUGHOUT DAY UNTIL 4pm
8.WE WILL TAKE LOCAL PHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN 6-7pm THAT EVENING IF YOU CANT MAKE IT TO THE SHOP
9.SHOP OPEN SUNDAY 30th August 10am-2pm FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY*
10.OBSERVE WELSH COVID-19 RULES THROUGHOUT VISIT, WE CAN MAKE THIS SAFELY ENJOYABLE
*Note, appointments already been taken for the Sunday and a good option if you dont feel
like coming to the shop on RSD , 15 minute slots to see whats left.
For more comprehensive details including the list of titles expected visit our website RSD page.
RSD DROP DATE
Saturday 29th August.
As titles arrive we will price up so you can take this as confirmation this title will be in for the day.
Please remember, as for all shops these are in very limited numbers and it is first come first served on the day (socially distanced). Keep checking our website RSD page which will be updated with confirmed arrivals right up to the day. We will set out our local plans soon for how RSD can be delivered in Mold
The first RSD Drop date is close just two weeks until Satirday 29th August. Most expected titles are now listed on our website RSD page with prices to be added as they arrive and this will act as a confirmation we will definately have the title in on the day. We will post out details next weekend of how this will work for us in Mold.
PRESS RELEASE today from the UK organisers of RSD with regard to the DROPS.
