“New and second-hand records, good vibes and stuff”. More info coming soon!
Author: Tim
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Wax and Beans
We have had two Bury record shops on this site, Save Records and the long lost Vibes and it was truly said to see those two Bury institutions go. The good news is that Bury now boasts an independent record shop again in the shape of Wax and Beans, situated in a stunning Grade II listed building. As the name suggests, they’re a combo of Record Shop and Cafe, with seating over two floors serving coffee, and other hot and cold beverages, and fresh cakes. On the Wax side, they sell new releases, and they’re also a Record Store Day shop, but they also do second hand stuff too and – joy of joys – it appears they also have facilities for you to listen before you buy on 2nd hand stuff too.Full review coming soon….
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All Night Flight
All Night Flight Records is located just off the main market place in Stockport which is now home to some new bars, eateries and some really interesting little shops emerging as Stockport tries to reinvent itself from a poorly planned 1970s town centre struggling to compete with what I’ll politely call “changing shopping habits” into an alternative retail, food & drink and cultural destination. All Night Flight joins SK1 Records as one of the most imaginative and intriguing record shopping destinations in the North and compliments SK1 very well.
Both shops are taking advantage of being off the beaten track but easily reached from the city centre by offering something a bit special and a bit more considered and curated than your average Record Shop. The layout of the shop is kind of austere, wooden crates propped up on breeze blocks and minimalist decor. This isn’t a place for wading through bins full of cheap stock, and if you’re looking for the usual classic rock & pop look elsewhere (you’re well catered for!) but the shop excels in the more experimental, electronic and global side of things. The stock is a mix of 2nd hand spanning the more interesting end of Post Punk, Jazz, Electronics, Dance and some newer hand-picked selections from ANF’s choice of DiY labels and artists.
The nearest comparison I can make is the stuff you could find in Rare & Racy in Sheffield (before the wrecking ball saw it off). It’s not long before my pulse is racing and I spy an LP which has long been on my wants list (Camino Del Sol by Antena on Les Disques du Crépuscule if you must know) which main man Tom fetches down for me and kindly recommends another gem of a similar vintage. There’s a listening deck too, which is always welcome so you can needle drop things of interest. The shop hosts live events too so keep an eye their social media and sign up for the newsletter. So if you’re a bit jaded by the usual stuff on offer in Manchester record shops, I’m saying head to Stockport where inspiration awaits!
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SK1 Records
This is an excellent little shop combined with a Cafe and is well worth your attention. Take a 10 min train ride from relatively booming Manchester to Stockport you’ll see evidence all around of how big towns and cities around the country are struggling to cope with the huge change in retail shopping habits shifting online and economic woes in general. If you’re a Record Shopper like me, you’ll regularly be in places like this – passing boarded up shops, charity shops, vape shops, betting shops while dodging mobility scooters and discarded sleeping bags.
SK1 is situated on Little Underbank which should really be a thriving, vibrant street – it’s got lovely buildings and visually is not unlike the cobbled side streets in York or Chester except large stretches of it are shuttered up and barren. There are signs of life however – businesses are springing up again – things are in transition there is a concerted effort going on to revive and reinvent and SK1 is exactly what the town needs. I’ve only had a very short trip to SK1, between train connections, but I was suitably impressed. It’s a bright, airy and friendly place which also incorporates a Cafe up on a mezzanine level (so it very much feels like a proper Record Shop rather than a Cafe with some records in it). Run by DJ Joe McBride the shop specialises in Electronic, Dance, Soundtracks, Dub, Soul funk and all esoteric points in between – there’s some Rock and Indie stuff as well but it’s great to find a shop with a different focus and a refreshing change from all the classic rock staples you see everywhere.
The prices are very reasonable, lots of interesting stuff to look at and this is a place where you’ll find something a bit unexpected and special – picked up some cool stuff on this short visit and I will definitely be back for a proper dig as I didn’t scratch the surface of what they’ve got.
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Tasty Records
Like most smaller towns, Altrincham has seen record shops come and go. Older readers will recall it had a Virgin Records in the town centre, a branch of Omega Records, Double Four and several others. More recently, Beatnik, Honey Bee and Soda have come and gone all too quickly – all victims not of the desire for Records and music in Alty, but what we might call “complex trading conditions” in a town which is constantly held up as an exemplar of how a failing town centre can be revived . No doubt it’s become a Food & Drink hotspot but that’s presented it’s own challenges for independent retailers. But like all good towns, Altrincham must have a Record Shop, it’s the law! Out of the demise of Soda, a new venture Tasty Records has now fetched up in what used to be an old antiques shop. Gone are the comics, trading cards and other ephemera that Soda sold – it’s strictly vinyl now. It’s a small place but main man Ben has done a good job of laying out the shop so it’s easy to work your away around a very substantial amount of Vinyl. There are some new and reissued items and the shop takes part in Record Store Day but the vast majority is second hand so there’s plenty of pre-loved tunes for digging into. The main racks are the classic rock, pop and soul sections you’d expect and there’s a Indie/Alternative enclave and a bit of dance/electronic stuff and of course there’s a bargain area for those who like to root out the cut price classics. The shop is just across the road from the thriving Market area and in a great little spot so hopefully it should do well and the place was buzzing on my visit and plenty of stuff to go at so if you’re planning to get yer Foodie Fix in Altrincham you can fill yer Vinyl boots here too.
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Aintree Vinyl Records
As the name suggests, Aintree Vinyl is located a few furlongs from Aintree Race course in the suburbs of Liverpool but easily reached by public transport although Race days might be a wee bit busy.
It’s a little shabby and a bit grotty if I’m honest, and I’m not a fan of their record racks which only hold a few discs and you have to be careful not to send a load onto the floor. However, it’s dusty old places like this where you just know you’ll stumble across something that’s been on your ‘wants’ list for ever. The going is a bit rough but the odds are you’ll find some good records here and the diehard diggers will definitely want to call in here. It’s all second hand stuff and what’s in store will depend on what they’ve had coming in – I get the impression they turn up some pretty desirable stuff on a regular basis and I certainly didn’t leave empty handed.
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81 Renshaw
Renshaw Street in Liverpool houses a number of quirky, independent shops and at Number 81 you’ll find a place that houses not only a Record Shop but a cafe, Bar and music venue. There’s a regular bill of live events here too.
I’ve been in few places like this and sometimes the record side of things feels like a bit of an afterthought – but not here – head down into the basement and you’ll find yourself in a proper, well stocked Record Shop and you’ll find plenty here to have a good dig.
The stock is mostly second hand Vinyl but there is some selected new stuff too and most genres are catered for. You’ll find some bargain bin stuff as always and thrifty shoppers are directed to the lower levels where you’ll find plenty of crates to rifle through. Well worth a visit if you’re on a Liverpool Vinyl Safari.
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High Street Books and Records
Don’t let the shop sign fool you…this fine little bookshop also has an absolute gem of a Record Shop in it’s basement. Down the white stone steps you’ll find a wall full of music related books, and beyond that a well stock room full of Vinyl and CD. Most of the stock is second hand but they stock a few more recent pressings too. Classic rock and pop takes up a few racks but most genres are covered and there’s plenty of Indie, Punk, Prog, Jazz and Soul and eyes down for the Dance stuff and loads of 7″ singles at super affordable prices. They also have a big bargain section for those of you who like to dig for cheap and cheerful bargains.
All the stock is labelled helpfully with a description of the condition and a bit of info about each record which is great especially if you fancy taking a punt on something. There’s also a listening post – rejoice! The prices are very reasonable too, they don’t max everything up to Discogs asking price like so many shops these days. There’s a steady stream of new stock coming in all the time so I try and make a regular trip here and I’ve never left without clutching some goodies.
This is a lovely little shop, it’s bright and airy and the stuff dreams are made of (I’m not the only one who dreams about buying records right?). New Mills is a nice little Peak District town with lovely countryside around it and easily reached, having not one but two Railway stations (New Mills Central is nearest but you can also get there from New Mills Newtown in a brisk 10 min walk away).
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Music for the Soul
If you’ve exhausted your regular haunts it’s time to look further afield. Urmston (birthplace Herman’s Hermits Peter Noone no less) is easily reached from Manchester by train and just down the road from the station you’ll find two shops in one. ‘Music for the Soul’ also incorporates ‘Dave’s Rare CDs’. Vinyl may be the hip choice these days but I’ve had more than one dealer tell me that CD sales are still brisk, and long out of print releases still fetch a premium.
It’s quite a small shop but inside is bright and airy and contains a well organised, decent selection of Vinyl and CD of all genres, and some bargain finds in the lower crates too. The owner is a soul aficionado so you’ll find some Soul and Funk goodies, and I also noted on my visit some very tasty and collectable Punk 45s. The owner told me everything is play tested too so you can buy with confidence.
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Convoy Records
Tucked away in Lady Hayes Craft centre in Frodsham, Convoy isn’t the easiest Record Shop to reach but well worth the visit. There’s lots of interesting stuff at the Lady Hayes Centre and it’s in a nice location so you can make a bit of a day of it – you might even spot Tiswas/Spit The Dog legend Bob Carolgees who runs a shop there selling posh scented candles.
When you enter Convoy, even though it’s part of an antiques centre in a somewhat remote location you will find yourself in a fully fledged proper Record Shop as good as any you’ll find in a major city. Inside you’ll find well stocked racks full of very reasonably priced Vinyl on LP and 7″ and a good selection of CDs and main man Rupert behind the counter. There’s a broad range of stuff here, leaning mainly on the classic/collectable end of Rock and Pop but with most other genres covered and this being a second hand shop you never know what might turn up but Convoy can be relied upon to turn up good stuff – I’ve never left here empty handed that’s for sure. There’s also music memorabilia, posters, badges and related bits and bobs. A tip for any visitors – most shops put their less desirable stock in crates on the floor – not here..you will need to get down on your knees and go under the racks as there is there is some good stuff down there too.
*Important!* Rupert doesn’t take Credit or Debit cards and there is no cash machine on site so remember to stock up on paper money before visit as it’s highly likely you will be spending – and you are best to call ahead to check he’s open as hours can vary.
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Record Store Day 2016
Here we go again, Record Store Day 2016 is almost upon us.
RSD had only really just got going when we started this site back in 2o09. It has its naysayers, and indeed we have mixed feelings about it (every Saturday is RSD for us!) and you all know the arguments for and against. It is what it is, it has done more good than harm and since we started this site it has added some much needed rocket fuel to Record Shops and helped reconnect a new generation with the idea of buying records. I see the knock on effect of that every time I head out record shopping and I’m sure you do too…more Record Shops, and more people in them, buying records.
I must confess I won’t be be queuing to pay £23 for an Alan Partridge picture disc, £11 for a Mungo Jerry single or parting with £60 for a reissue of The Orb’s first album (although that is a fantastic record I’ll stick with the tape version I bought at the time). If you are braving the queues I hope you can get what you want, and if not I hope that you get what you need.
There are plenty of participating stores on our patch, including Piccadilly Records, X-Records, Vinyl Exchange, Vinyl Revival, Endless Music, Static Records, Malcolm’s Musicland, 3B Records, Jacaranda Records, Probe Records and more.
Check here for a full list of participating stores http://recordstoreday.co.uk/participating-stores/
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Discgotech
Discgotech sells Comic Books and Movie related collectibles, Star Wars figures and the like but you may be interested to learn they also sell 2nd hand Vinyl, ranging from Indie to Reggae and especially Punk.
They also offer a CD/DVD repair service so if, like me, you believed it when Tomorrow’s World on the BBC promised the new fangled CD would still work even if you spread peanut butter and toasted them, or had them rattling around in a car glove box for several years – maybe they can rescue a much loved old silver disc for you! They are also handily located near to the venue for the monthly Stockport Book and Record Fair
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The Musical Box
Review coming soon!
Read about the Musical Box here:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music/ahead-record-store-day-jade-3320692
and watch a documentary about it!
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Skeleton Records
Skeleton Records has a long history, opened by John Weaver in 1971 – and described as a patchouli scented Head shop that specialised in rare imports , underground press and hippy paraphernalia. The name of the shop was apparently taken from a Syd Barrett song – If It’s in You (“Skeleton Kissed a Steel Rail”).
Known locally as Skelly’s, the shop has changed locations a few times but is now to be found just of off the main drag on Oxton Road. Climb the stairs and you’ll find two rooms crammed full of Vinyl, CDs and DVDs. In the main space you’ll find the more collectible stuff – a good mix from Classic Rock, Indie, to Jazz, Soul and Funk and plenty of music from Skeleton’s Psychedelic and Prog roots. It’s a mix of 2nd hand stuff, new releases and reissues. The other room is dedicated to the more bargain basement end – shedloads of it – either because it’s a bit ‘well loved’ or in a genre that isn’t so collectible – so this is a place to really get stuck in and get digging. Well worth a ferry across the Mersey.
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Dig Vinyl
OK I should declare an interest – Dig is owned by some very good friends of ours – but if it was no good I’d tell you *and* them so take my word for it!
For a city that is steeped in musical history, and relies on music-related tourism for a large chunk of its local economy Liverpool is surprisingly short on places to actually buy records. Probe are still on the scene, there’s a large and thriving HMV at Liverpool One, but Hairy Records on Bold Street was the last dedicated second hand shop and that closed in 2014. That same year Dig Vinyl started up operations, keen to maintain a place for Liverpudlians and visitors to the city to buy and sell the black plastic stuff and this is now the HQ of Liverpool crate diggers!
Dig are located on the independent shopping mecca that is Bold Street, in the basement of Soho’s – a long-established clothing shop (so you can stock up on Levi’s and plaid shirts while you’re in!). Downstairs you’ll find Dig Vinyl. It’s not a massive space but they’re gradually expanding into the basement and acquiring more stock. You’ll find most genres covered – Classic Rock, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, Psych, Indie, Punk, Prog and of course plenty of records by the ‘Hey Jude’ hitmakers from this fair city – Dig also pride themselves on stocking dance music too so you’ll find Drum & Bass, Techno, Jungle, Hip Hop, Dubstep etc (which a lot of 2nd hand shops don’t bother with) and also a section of bargain bin stuff from £1. Dig are primarily a 2nd hand shop although they get the odd reissue in, and some releases by local bands too.
There are listening posts too! Hallelujah! (our great bugbear is that so many shops don’t provide one or encourage you to have a listen). They make great efforts to keep the stock fresh so you’ll want to be a regular visitor and follow them on Facebook or Twitter to keep updated on their latest finds.
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Hyde & Seek Records
With thanks to Record Shop City reader Mike (who also provides the pictures) writes: “This lovely couple (Dave and Margaret) have been going since 1983 in Hyde buying and selling records at great prices. There’s a big collection of 50p albums and a good selection of £1 and £2.50 items and then some dearer stuff. Always friendly to help and chat about music, a great gem of a record shop….”
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Music and Movies Exchange
Moving further afield into Greater Manchester, Tameside we thought was the only GM borough that didn’t have at least one place to buy music, however it turns out we were wrong!
Music and Movies Exchange operate out of a small unit in the Clarendon shopping centre in Hyde. The shop has been trading for 18 years buying and selling CDs, games and DVDs. Our man in Hyde, Tony, tells us he was a DJ for over 25 years (he has our sympathies!) loves his music and he’s now decided to add second hand Vinyl LPs and 45 to the shelves, and his collection is building up day by day and by the looks of things very reasonably priced so you want to make Hyde a stop on your next record buying spree.
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Probe Records
Described by legendary Liverpool music writer Paul Du Noyer as “the semi-official control room of Liverpool music” – it’s probably a bit of cliche to describe Probe Records as a Liverpool institution but…it really is. Founded by Geoff Davis in 1971, Probe has supplied Liverpudlians, nervous students and unsuspecting tourists with their musical needs through good times and bad. In spite of numerous challenges and location changes they are still at it.
Julian Cope’s excellent autobiography ‘Head On’ paints a vivid picture of the scene around Probe during the late 70s post punk era when it was based in perhaps its most iconic location on Button Street near to Eric’s and the site of the Cavern Club – you could expect short shrift from Probe staffers including Pete ‘Dead Or Alive’ Burns and the numerous, sulky scenesters hanging around there. That vibe persists to this day – albeit slightly more world weary. Don’t expect any ‘counter banter’ or advice on the latest new grooves – this is not Piccadilly Records – if you’re lucky you’ll get a smile and a nod of recognition off whichever misanthrope is on duty – but hey, that’s Probe, and I sort of wouldn’t want it any other way.Probe also has probably one of the coolest looking shop fronts and coolest record bags of any shop in the world. I’m not sure who does their designs but they are a thing of wonder (I’m sure they could make a nice sideline in Tote bags and t-shirts with the designs on if they could be arsed…which they probably couldn’t).
Today, Probe is now in a unit at the front of the Bluecoat Chambers just off Church Street – a prime spot between the hipper end of the city and the Liverpool One shopping behemoth so they get a steady stream of visitors. It’s a small shop but bright and airy and although it doesn’t quite have the historic echoes of the Button St shop I much prefer it to the rather dreary premises they had on Slater Street for many years. There seems to be a large area at the back of the shop which could easily accommodate more stock but instead serves as an office/brew area for the staff to escape from the customers – up front you’ll find a decent mix of Vinyl and CDs – the walls lined with classic reissues, tempting curios, fanzines, highly desirable box sets and other eye-watering treats. To browse the record and CD racks of Probe is to poke around inside the DNA of Liverpool music history – Beefheart, Syd Barrett, Love, and all manner of Fuzz, Garage and Psych and similar Cosmic Scally listening fodder are heavily represented as are local legends like Shack and Half Man Man Half Biscuit (still released on Probe related label ‘Probe Plus’). You’ll find a bunch of new releases, erring toward the more Indie rock end – not so much electronic and dance music but there is a well stocked section of Reggae, Dub and jazzier, funkier stuff too.
Probe does still hark back to the days when Record Shops could be quite intimidating places to visit, and bucks the trend of today where a lot of shops are very chummy and go out of their way to welcome you in. It must also be the most high profile Indie shop in the UK without a website or much social media presence. That said, I have a great affection for it and bought so many great records here in my student days and to be honest whenever I call in I usually end up buying something on the strength of the descriptions on those stickers they put on the records (still written in the same spidery, psychedelic handwriting of old).
Long Live Probe..and as their beautiful record bags state: “still the greatest disaster of them all”.
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Vinyl Revival
Just around the corner from Oldham Street you’ll find Vinyl Revival. They’ve been here since 1997 and sell a mixture of new and secondhand records on CD and Vinyl, plus DVDs. They sell all sorts of stuff but they also specialise in Manchester music from the 1960s to present day – so you’ll find plenty of Smiths, Happy Mondays, New Order etc and a well stocked Factory Records collection so you can fill those gaps in your Stockholm Monsters or Crispy Ambulance collection.They also do a fine line in Manchester music related reproduction posters, T-shirts and other memorabilia and if you’re visiting Manchester just to do the record shops and soak up some of the music heritage this is the place to get a souvenir of your trip. They also stock a wide range of music on 2nd hand and reissue vinyl – plenty of Punk, Reggae, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, Electro, House, 50s, 60s and more besides.
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Reel Around The Fountain Records
This shop, of course, takes it’s name of course from an old Smiths tune. Mozzer grew up on Kings Road, a short cycle ride of Stretford Mall where this shop is located, and the song references a fountain – stocked with live fish – that once graced the mall in the 1970s. Stretford Mall (formerly Stretford Arndale) is a bit of a relic 1970s town planning. It is now far too big for the town it was built to serve, and is dwarfed by the Trafford Centre enormo-mall just a couple of miles away, so inevitably you’ll encounter empty shop units, a proliferation of Nail Bars and the dreaded BrightHouse. Nevertheless, fans of 70s urban architecture will probably find something to admire – and the place is still the heart of the local community. Reel Around The Fountain had modest beginnings with a few crates of Vinyl in the rather forlorn indoor market area – but soon became an oasis of wonderment in the Mall and a Vinyl destination for those in the know. The owners of the Mall have now lopped off the Market area in order to downsize the site so RATF how now relocated to a very smart, spacious and bright new shop on the upper level, just opposite Tesco in the main shopping area.
At the counter you’ll find the legend that is Nigel, and a very friendly and knowledgeable fella he is too. Inside you’ll find most genres covered – Classic Rock, Jazz, Indie, Punk, Reggae, Folk, Soul etc as well as some bargain racks, CDs and other memorabilia. There are some new reissues but mostly it’s secondhand goodies. You’ll also find sections devoted to Morrissey/Smiths and Manchester music. There are some mega rarities too – keep an eye on the shop Facebook page as Nigel has a habit of turning up some jaw-dropping finds. There’s also a big sofa so you can have a sit down after a well earned rest browsing through the racks. From humble beginnings this is now one of the biggest Record Shops in the north so you really don’t want to miss this one. If you’re heading into the suburbs to visit King Bee on your Manchester record shopping spree, it’s a short bus or tram ride to Stretford so don’t miss RATF off your itinerary.
