Long Live Record Store Day, Long Live RPM!

By Jon Corbett on April 15, 2011 in Music

It’s time to put the iPods down ladies and gentleman, for the moment to pick up some slick black vinyl and have a jolly good sniff has arrived once more.

The true independent spirit of global music will be celebrated on a worldwide scale this very Saturday when the fourth annual Record Store Day spins into your town.

The event is an internationally celebrated day observed on the third Saturday of April since 2008, a date when the legendary pioneers of thrash metal Metallica kicked things into touch by playing live at the Rasputin Music store in San Francisco.

Since then, scores of independent music outlets throughout the US and the UK have come together to mark the occasion and to celebrate the art of music in their own special way.

A look at last year’s Record Store Day

And although Ozzy Osbourne (the official ambassador for Record Store Day 2011) probably won’t be flying in to Newcastle International to check out the beats and sounds of the North East’s indie stores this year, there’s a million and one other reasons why you should pull yourself out of your Saturday (ooooh I’m tired, oooooh I’m done in from last night, oooooh I’ve just shat myself etc) slumber.

For instance, if you live in or near Newcastle, RPM Music has organised a day rammed with live performances from the region’s best combined with the release and sale of special vinyl and promo products to entice and to ignite the musical minds of even the blackest of souls.

Kyeo’s Right Honourable Turntabling friend and owner of RPM Rich Latimore explains: “The releases we’ll be unveiling this year are epic, there’s arguably too many to be honest, but there’s loads of amazing stuff for people to enjoy.

“It’s massively important for music that fans get behind this event, to get behind our stores, our DJs, our promoters, bands and shops. The music industry, as many people are aware, is in dire straights (Kyeo: Mark Knopfler is staying at home thank fuck) and this is an amazing way to help and support it.

“Everyone must be fearful of the future, but tomorrow will be spectacular!”

DJs will be performing at RPM all day tomorrow along with 7 live bands including Grizzly Bear inspired leftfield noisters Grandfather Birds and Im ‘n’ Im.

There will also be a raft of vinyl freebies, coffee and bacon in the morning, comedy give aways and the kind of cakes that would make your Grandma quake in her peg filled tabard. God Bless Record Store Day.