06.06.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Music, Friends, Gigantic, Business, Noise Flash!!!, World Records, Darkstar Records at 8:32 pm by Administrator
Vinyl records make comeback on local scene
By JOHN COX, Californian staff writer Photo by Barrios
e-mail: jcox@bakersfield.com | Friday, Jun 6 2008 6:56 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Jun 6 2008 6:43 PM
For nearly 20 years World Records stocked no records. Unless you placed a special order, CDs were what you got.
BAKERSFIELD-AREA RECORD STORES
Darkstar Records and Books
1024 Truxtun Ave.
859-0241
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Downtown Records
1518 19th St.
324-5235
Noon to 8 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Gigantic Vintage
1515 19th St.
859-1515
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Going Underground
1822 G St.
477-8475
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Midnight Music
1215 Olive Drive
399-3454
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Rockit Music
429 James St.
746-0822
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
World Records
1824 G St.
831-3100
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SaturdayBY THE NUMBERS
15: The percentage by which vinyl album sales increased in 2007 as compared with 2006, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
70: The percentage by which vinyl sales are projected to grow this year over 2007 totals, based on sales in January through March, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
17.5: The percentage by which shipments of CDs declined between 2006 and 2007, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
68: The percentage by which shipments of turntables increased in the first four months of this year compared with the first four months of 2007.Photos:
Photo by Henry A. Barrios/ The Californian
Darkstar Records and Books owner Dan Robertson, left, and son Andrew Robertson. Dan has a long history as a deejay in Bakersfield.
Earlier this year, though, young people started asking for vinyl. Now World Records’ new home on downtown G Street boasts a record section with new releases and reissues by Amy Winehouse, Parliament, The Velvet Underground and others.
Vinyl’s back.
U.S. record sales were up 15 percent last year over the year before, fed by growing interest in independent record stores like World Records and Darkstar Records and Books, another newcomer to downtown Bakersfield.
The resurgence has many roots, ranging from purists’ ideas about sound quality to availability of turntables at major retailers to the desirability of belonging to an exclusive, anti-digital subculture.
Vinyl’s growing popularity could have side benefits for Bakersfield. Independent record stores tend to promote the local music scene more than chain stores do. And downtown’s cluster of music stores could make it more of a destination for out-of-town collectors, boosting local tourism.
What surprises many longtime record collectors is how vinyl appeals to so many young people born after much of the nation turned its back on records when CDs were introduced in the 1980s.
A THING FOR VINYL
Consider the enthusiasm of 19-year-old Brenndan Morlan. He has amassed 140 or so albums since he began collecting records three or four years ago, and now spends $100 a week on vinyl recordings of classic jazz, psychedelic rock and exotic funk. His friends “don’t get it.”
“They’re just like, ‘How can you spend so much money on records?’” the Bakersfield sandwich shop employee said Thursday as he flipped through row after row of old vinyl at Darkstar on Truxtun Avenue.
Dan Robertson, the store’s co-owner along with his two sons, understands. His own collection numbers about half a million.
“I think (renewed interest in records) is almost a reaction against the digital,” said Robertson, a deadhead deejay who counted Buck Owens among his personal friends. He has been planning to open a record store for more than three decades.
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Distaste for digital music is common among record people. They tend to frown upon the carelessness others afford CDs, and relish the special care records require and the sense of history one gets when holding an album.
“It’s like having primary text from an author or a philosopher,” said 23-year-old Steven Koontz, the drummer for Bakersfield punk band Loser Life, which this week embarked on a European tour. Band members were planning to bring with them and sell more than 200 vinyl recordings of their music.
Then there’s the sound quality issue. Vinyl enthusiasts praise the medium’s warm sound as compared with digital recordings.
Listening to a record is “kind of like holding someone’s hand without a glove,” said Andrew Winton, a 29-year-old coffeehouse manager and regular at Going Underground, a punk music store on downtown G Street that sells and pays to have pressed many vinyl recordings that have never been transferred to CD format.
A RISING TIDE
The opening of two new record retailers so close in proximity has store owners hopeful that customers near and far will view Bakersfield as a hub for buying vinyl.
“The more the better,” said Alex Rodriguez, co-owner of downtown 19th Street’s Gigantic Vintage, which sells vintage clothing in front and records in back. “Kids aren’t just going to go to one (record store), they’re going to go to all of them.”
David Thomas, owner of Shafter’s Rockit Music, agreed. His 5,000-square-foot store, which has sold records since 1947, draws collectors from the Bay Area and the Los Angeles area. The more stores clustered in one area, he said, the more likely it is that serious collectors will come.
And when they drive in, collectors can drop big money. Jake Chavez, owner of Downtown Records on 19th Street across from Gigantic Vintage, said he once sold 200 records to a collector from Alaska driving on his way to a large show in Las Vegas.
STAYING POWER
Thomas suggested that independent stores such as those operating locally will outlast chains because of their personal touch.
“People want to go back (and) deal with neighborhood-type record stores where they can actually go in and talk about music,” he said.
This appears to be the case recently. Entertainment research company Nielsen SoundScan reported that three-quarters of all vinyl album sales in 2007 took place at independent music stores.
SIDE BENEFITS
But even aside from the business they do, record store owners say there is a benefit to having independent shops around: They help introduce young people to artists new and old.
Robertson, Darkstar’s co-owner, hopes to support the local music scene much the way Going Underground does, selling albums produced locally. He said that would mean opening up his offerings to include many different genres.
For now, though, he said he’s satisfied to be broadening the musical horizons of customers like 17-year-old Jordan Aguirre, who spent time this week checking out Robertson’s diverse collection.
Since becoming interesting in vinyl, Aguirre said he has come to a fuller understanding of the musicians who have influenced many modern recording artists.
“It’s kind of like an education,” he said.
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05.03.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Road Stories, Friends, Mr. Mu, Business, Noise Flash!!!, World Records, Darkstar Records, Outer Limits, Front Porch, Benefits of Massage at 10:53 pm by Administrator
i have a chug and he likes to go for walks. today we left our home and headed downtown. first, we had to get across 24th street and then we were on our way. often crossing 24th street is like a game of frogger.
then we went past a house with a rubber sidewalk. it was made from used tires and was really nice to walk on. i need to find out if they could build a running track at beach park out of the stuff. it would be nice to have a half mile loop underneath the trees at the park and not have to worry about the squirrel holes.
next we walked by the benham’s house and the bakers and saw sally. then we headed to the post office to get my mail. if you ever want to send andy noise something our address is:
po box 2625
bakersfield, ca
93303
after our post office visit, we stopped in to check out the new world records location. pat evans (the owner) was there working on the shop. at first, he was wondering who this bum with a little dog was but then i said my name and he remembered me.
way back in the 80s, i worked for pat. of course i looked a lot different. we talked for awhile and i will have a page up on my site in the future featuring world records.
our next stop was front porch music. artie (the owner) has a cute little dog who really wants to get to know my mr. mu but he wont let here. we talked about dogs and my son nick’s music career. nick is looking for bandmates btw.
next we stopped by and saw alex at gigantic vintage. alex runs the record dept. and he has a real job. so i never see him because he comes in on the weekends and evenings.
by now mr. mu was getting tired and hot. when it is cool we can do hour long walks but he doesnt like the heat. but i needed to go visit another friend’s new record store.
my friend dan (kuzz/crystal palace and wedding dj) finally opened the record store of his dreams. it is across the street from rabobank arena in those cottage looking buildings on truxton. he just opened the place a month ago and it looks like it has been there forever.
he has a lot of great product (cds, records, books, photos, movies, dvds, toys and more). the place looks like a person’s home almost. lots of cool things on the wall and it reminds me of someones study.
you feel like you are at the home of a person who loves music and has taken much time and effort gathering and displaying his treasures. the only difference is that you can buy the stuff from him. so go checkout darkstar records. they are open from 9 am to 6 pm mon- sat.
i will be making a page on this site for his shop too.
i almost forgot that before we visited dan, we went and saw my friend lisa at benefits of massage office. it is behind dan’s cottages. she had a client so we just did a quick howdy.
now the mr. mu was really tired but i wanted to visit my friend joey at his skate shop outer limits. as usual the place was busy and joey has tons of product. my son nick loves the place (he also likes front porch) and has been wearing the clothes he got there lately.
i plan on doing a photo shot there (as well as at the other stores) and putting up a page on my website soon. though with the track season heating up, i may wait till june to do the pages.
anyways after all this excitement, it was time to go home, mr. mu was beat.
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Posted in Yada Yada, Friends, Gigantic, Business, Noise Flash!!! at 12:13 pm by Administrator
These cassette tapes are in very good to excellent condition (both the tapes and cases). they are available at gigantic vintage.
Included in this listing are the following:
-THE BLOW MONKEYS “Forbidden Fruit” -1985
-SONIC YOUTH ” Goo” - 1990
-THE DEAD KENNEDY’S - “Frankenchrist”- 1985
-MIDNIGHT OIL ” 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1″ -1982
-NUCLEAR VALDEZ “I am I ” -1989
-SPONGE “Rotting Pinata “- 1994
-PEARL JAM ” Vitalogy” -1994
-MR. BUNGLE “Self Titled debut” -1991
-TAD “Salt Lick” -1990
-ROLLINS BAND “The End of Silence” -1992
-THE DUKES OF STRATOSPHERE “Psonic Psunspot”-1987
-SOUNDGARDEN ” Ultramega OK” -1988
-SOUNDGARDEN ” Badmotorfinger” -1991
-R.E.M. “Life’s Rich Pageant” -1986
-R.E.M. “Green” -1988
-R.E.M. “Fables of the Reconstruction”-1985
-THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS “Independent Worm Saloon”-1993
-THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS “Psychic..Powerless. Another Man’s Sac” -1984
-CHRISTIAN DEATH ” Jesus Points the Bone at You” -
-MIDNIGHT OIL ” Diesel and Dust” -1987
-NIRVANA ” Insectiside” -1989
-THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS ” Flood” -1990
-WORLD PARTY ” Goodbye Jumbo” 1990
-THE OFFSPRING ” Smash” - 1994
-GOTHIC ROCK ” Compilation Cassette featuring the following artists: BAUHAUS, SOUTHERN DEATH CULT, X-MAL DEUTSCHLAND, THEATRE OF HATE, GENE LOVES JEZEBEL, FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, UK DECAY, VIRGIN PRUNES, DANSE SOCIETY, TONES ON TAIL, ALIEN SEX FIEND, SEX GANG CHILDREN, SPECIMEN, PLAY DEAD, CHRISTIAN DEATH, GITANE DEMONE, MARIONETTES, ROSETTA STONE, CREAMING JESUS, JAMES RAY & THE PERFORMANCE, EVERY NEW DEAD GHOST, TERMINAL POWER COMPANY, NOSFERATU, DOMINATOR X
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04.22.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Profiles, Athletes, Schools, Friends, College, Signings, North, Noise Flash!!! at 9:26 pm by Administrator
North distance runner Gragg headed to Fresno St.
BY ZACH EWING, Californian staff writer
zewing@bakersfield.com | Tuesday, Apr 22 2008 8:43 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Apr 22 2008 8:46 PM
With cameras clicking and people cheering Tuesday in North High’s cafeteria, distance runner Cody Gragg stole one glance away from the dotted line.
“It was hard to not focus on the camera and focus on the paper,” Gragg said. “Pretend it’s not there. The nerves were coming.”
What’s even harder, Gragg said, is becoming an accomplished distance runner in just three years. That’s what he’s done, going out for track his freshman year only because he was struggling in baseball, and then for cross country the next fall because he wasn’t already on the football team.
“I was going to play football my freshman year, but I pulled my groin, so I didn’t do anything,” Gragg said. “… I went out for track, gave it a shot, and it kind of skyrocketed from there.”
He’s become one of Bakersfield’s premier runners, taking 11th in the Central Section meet with a time of 16:00 and qualifying for the state meet. He also owns a top-10 time among section runners in the 3,200 meters and a top-20 time in the 1,600.
“Darrin Sundgren and Bill Lind, our distance coaches, have worked really hard with him,” said Allan Smart, North’s head track and field coach. “(Gragg) was the diamond in the rough.”
Gragg, who chose Fresno State over Long Beach State and some smaller schools, said the ride has made him thankful for that injured groin.
“I sure like the way things played out,” Gragg said.
He was also happy for all of Tuesday’s hullabaloo — if not entirely comfortable with it.
“It takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders,” Gragg said. “… It’s a little (uncomfortable), but I’m glad they all came out. I’d rather everybody be here than nobody be here.”
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03.31.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Music, Friends, Gigantic, Business at 12:12 pm by Administrator
I just added this LOT OF 48 POP ROCK CD’S to my inventory at gigantic vintage.
THE TITLES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. PHENOMENON SOUNDTRACK
2. MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING SOUNDTRACK. (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE SIDE)
3. ERIC CLAPTON - TIMEPIECES THE BEST OF
4. WILSON PHILLIPS - SELF TITLED
5. PAULA ABDUL - GREATEST HITS
6. GENESIS - THE HITS (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE FRONT)
7. JESSICA ANDREWS - UNBREAKABLE HEART (SINGLE)
8. GWEN STEFANI - LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY
9. CLAY AIKEN - MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE
10. NICOLE C MULLEN - REDEEMER
11. ULU - SELF TITLED
12. ALICIA KEYS - THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS
13. ALICIA KEYS - SONGS IN A MINOR
14. STARSHIP - GREATEST HITS
15. THE MONKEES - GREATEST HITS (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE SIDE)
16. JOHN MELLENCAMP - THE BEST THAT I COULD DO
17. BRITNEY SPEARS - OOPS…I DID IT AGAIN
18. JANET JACKSON - THE VELVET ROPE
19. A WALK TO REMEMBER SOUNDTRACK
20. DIRTY DANCING SOUNDTRACK (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE FRONT)
21. RUNAWAY BRIDE SOUNDTRACK (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE SIDE)
22. THE COWBOY WAY SOUNDTRACK
23. THE NEXT BEST THING SOUNDTRACK
24. WHO’S THAT GIRL SOUNDTRACK
25. MADONNA - LIKE A VIRGIN
26. MADONNA - EROTICA
27. MADONNA - MUSIC
28. MADONNA - BEDTIME STORIES
29. MADONNA - LIKE A PRAYER
30. MARIAH CAREY - #1′S
31. MARIAH CAREY - BUTTERFLY
32. MARIAH CAREY - DAYDREAM
33. MARIAH CAREY - MUSIC BOX
34. MARIAH CAREY - MTV UNPLUGGED
35. MARIAH CAREY - EMOTIONS (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE SIDE)
36. SIMPLY RED - GREATEST HITS
37. RIHANNA - A GIRL LIKE ME
38. KANYE WEST - THE COLLEGE DROPOUT
39. AIR SUPPLY - GREATEST HITS
40. BONNIE TYLER - SUPER HITS
41. SHAKIRA - LAUNDRY SERVICE
42. DESTINY’S CHILD - SURVIVOR
43. GLORIA ESTEFAN - HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME
44. ROD STEWART - THE VERY BEST OF (THE JEWEL CASE HAS A CRACK ON THE SIDE)
45. MICHAEL BOLTON - GREATEST HITS 1985-1995
46. JENNIFER LOPEZ - THIS IS ME…THEN
47. JENNIFER LOPEZ - JLO
48. THE LATEST - MARLBORO MUSIC CD
ALL OF THESE CD’S ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND PLAY FINE.
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Posted in Yada Yada, Music, Friends, Gigantic, Business at 11:52 am by Administrator
i just added these CDs to my inventory at gigantic vintage. if you like andynoise.com, buy my CDs.
below is what i just got in:
jackyl - self titled
descendents - all
luscious jackson - electric honey
the dead milkmen - big lizard in my backyard(no artwork)
third eye blind - self titled(no artwork)
grateful dead - dead set
violent femmes - self titled
guns n roses - use you illusion II
bjork - greatest hits
moby - play
swingin to the police a tribute
mary karlzen - hide
tori amos - boys for pele
stone temple pilots - purple (missing front cover)
dixie chicks - wide open spaces
vertical horizon - everything you want
lemonheads - its a shame about ray(no artwork)
tori amos - under the pink(missing front cover)
DJ Dime Piece - highly anticipated volume six(no artwork)
chants des voutes cisterciennes - chants from the cistercian vaults
sugar - file under easy listening
william topley - mixed blessing(no artwork)
u2 - boy
william topley - spanish wells(no artwork)
batman forever soundtrack
nickelback - silver side up
george michael - ladies and gentlemen the best of(2cd)
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02.28.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Road Races, Friends, Results, Giveaways, Clubs, Bakersfield Track Club, Noise Flash!!! at 9:42 pm by Administrator
The Bakersfield Track Club’s next meeting is on Wednesday, March 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Papa O’s Pizza on Coffee and Hageman. This is the annual points series awards pizza party. The BTC buys all the pizza and sodas.
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01.02.08
Posted in Yada Yada, Friends, Business at 6:30 pm by Administrator
I killed my PC and these guys brought it back to life!
If you need PC help go to these guys!
SWAT PC is a locally owned and operated business that prides itself on friendly service, fast turnaround, and affordable pricing. Our facilities are located in downtown Bakersfield on the corner of 20th and Eye St. We offer a wide range of services available both in store and on-site. Open Monday – Friday 8am to 6pm and Sat 9am to 4pm. From you home to your business, SWAT PC for all you computer needs.
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12.12.07
Posted in Yada Yada, Music, Friends, Videos, Jobs, Business, Blog at 3:40 pm by Administrator
one of my many jobs besides coaching, webmaster and poker player is that i help out at gigantic vintage.
so if you like this site, support gigantic vintage and my other site supporters. they help me keep this site alive.
in fact, a fan of this site made a nice donation and i got a new camera that made this video of new product at gigantic. click HERE for the video.
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