Downloads Kill Record Shops Article

[Rob Wigley]

This was in my face when I switched the PC on today

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100116/ten-downloads-sound-death-knell-for-reco-8a3eada.html

Which isn't a surprise, but along with Pubs closing and the record shops going I thought of buying up an Island (Somewhere warm and not in an earthquake zone) and selling shares in it.

We'd have at least 10 Pubs and 20 record shops and soul nights / all nighters every weekend. You'd spend all week around the shops then in to the pubs to refresh your selves then be able to talk bollox about what you found at the weekends events.

It would have its own "Soul police" force and anyone caught playing or buying Bootleggs would have a giant bubble chasing them down the beach....I'd also make Malc Burton the President of the Island.

Anyone fancy it ?

Rob

ps I lost track of this thread-I think it was because I was in the company of the "Brandy sisters" last night lost in the Dearn Valley

[NUFCSOUL]

It must be an age thing!! Disposable society blah blah!! Download generation etc

I've collected records of many genres all my life. I can not think of a better way of owning a product than being able to read the cover notes, check the writer, musicians, matrix number, learn the lyrics (on albums if printed) and treasure that limited edition or as in the case of soul - that rare or hard to get Northern Soul tune.

I fail to understand the beauty or love of something that is zipped through cyberspace, planted in your PC/laptop/listening device, burned to a CD if needed and then used to 'entertain' yourself or the paying public.

As for the 'social' aspect of going into a record shop - no wonder we have bred a generation of half wits that communicate via 'social network' sites - they never actually speak to each other in person.

Ok we buy our vinyl/styrene via the web and forums and it's opened a whole new world, but bloody hell I can ring and speak to whoever I'm buying from if I need to.

Here's another one - when we're out at the match and having a few beers the number of times the younger lads (age 30 downwards) check their mobiles is amazing - it's a habit the're into to see if they have a message or whatever. For fk's sake NOBODY has contacted them - they know you're at the match!

So on that island - no phones - we can all just talk to each other - it's called good old fashioned conversation!

Just like the sort you get in pubs and record shops.

[Rob Wigley]

It must be an age thing!! Disposable society blah blah!! Download generation etc

I've collected records of many genres all my life. I can not think of a better way of owning a product than being able to read the cover notes, check the writer, musicians, matrix number, learn the lyrics (on albums if printed) and treasure that limited edition or as in the case of soul - that rare or hard to get Northern Soul tune.

I fail to understand the beauty or love of something that is zipped through cyberspace, planted in your PC/laptop/listening device, burned to a CD if needed and then used to 'entertain' yourself or the paying public.

As for the 'social' aspect of going into a record shop - no wonder we have bred a generation of half wits that communicate via 'social network' sites - they never actually speak to each other in person.

Ok we buy our vinyl/styrene via the web and forums and it's opened a whole new world, but bloody hell I can ring and speak to whoever I'm buying from if I need to.

Here's another one - when we're out at the match and having a few beers the number of times the younger lads (age 30 downwards) check their mobiles is amazing - it's a habit the're into to see if they have a message or whatever. For fk's sake NOBODY has contacted them - they know you're at the match!

So on that island - no phones - we can all just talk to each other - it's called good old fashioned conversation!

Just like the sort you get in pubs and record shops.

Nice reply-I thought it was just me !!!

Ask President Burton to ban the phones-I'm sure he'll be happy to do that on the island

-by the way I was at the Barnsley game with your lot before Xmas behind the goal-can you please tell me why I had a sheepskin coat on and the Newcastle fans kept taking their shirts off! it was feckin' freezing!

Rob

[Mark S]

I also hate the modern world it knows the price of everything and the value of nothing can I please come and live on the island i promise to behave .

Just seen an idiot called Chipmunk on telly wtf

[Mike]

any record shop owners like to pass on current views

do any embrace all this download technolgy ?

would/could a shop offering legal downloads for sale on other media be legit in uk ?

as guess theres a lot of people out there on high street uk who may not be up to speed with a lot of the geek stuff

[Rob Wigley]

any record shop owners like to pass on current views

do any embrace all this download technolgy ?

would/could a shop offering legal downloads for sale on other media be legit in uk ?

as guess theres a lot of people out there on high street uk who may not be up to speed with a lot of the geek stuff

Saw this happen in the States years ago as the net took off-myself and tats were in Detroit, we done "half" of a store with 500,000 45s in we hit late on in a trip. We decided to fly back 4 weeks later-to do the other "half" VANISHED into thin air in the space of 4 weeks-not forwarding address -nothing GONE.

The owner had moved everything in a weekend -his lease was expiring--so he shut up and set off to go on line to save costs-never did find him again!

I think (hope) specialist shops will survive-but its off to the Island I think

Rob

[NUFCSOUL]

Nice reply-I thought it was just me !!!

Ask President Burton to ban the phones-I'm sure he'll be happy to do that on the island

-by the way I was at the Barnsley game with your lot before Xmas behind the goal-can you please tell me why I had a sheepskin coat on and the Newcastle fans kept taking their shirts off! it was feckin' freezing!

Rob

Rob - the whole thing relates to the fact that donkeys years ago in winter the drinking public of Newcastle turned out in it's finery - short skirts the lasses and t-shirts the lads - or very similar depending on the era/current trend.

No coats!!! Can't feel the cold when you're pissed and anyway it doesn't rain or snow in the bars.

Old Geordie saying - 'it's a top coat warmer down south' - and south to some probably means south of Durham!!

Mind you at most clubs we have the SKY generation trying to get on the telly/in the papers - so that could be it.

[Guest]

This was in my face when I switched the PC on today

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100116/ten-downloads-sound-death-knell-for-reco-8a3eada.html

Which isn't a surprise, but along with Pubs closing and the record shops going I thought of buying up an Island (Somewhere warm and not in an earthquake zone) and selling shares in it.

We'd have at least 10 Pubs and 20 record shops and soul nights / all nighters every weekend. You'd spend all week around the shops then in to the pubs to refresh your selves then be able to talk bollox about what you found at the weekends events.

It would have its own "Soul police" force and anyone caught playing or buying Bootleggs would have a giant bubble chasing them down the beach....I'd also make Malc Burton the President of the Island.

Anyone fancy it ?

Rob

ps I lost track of this thread-I think it was because I was in the company of the "Brandy sisters" last night lost in the Dearn Valley

Thank you for the nomination , and I accept - on one condition , that I be called President PT109 ( those not knowing what that relates to , will have to look it up )

Malc Burton

[Dave Pinch]

I WAS ON ABOUT OUR SOULESS AUTOMATED VOICE ROBOTIC SOCIETY THE OTHER DAY ON ANOTHER THREAD AND I HATE IT. SO SAVE ROOM FOR ME PLEEEEEEZ.I`D GLADLY LEAVE THE MOBILE BEHIND BUT CAN I FETCH MI LAPTOP SO I CAN LOOK AT SS/ EBAY & GEMM

DAVE

Edited January 17, 2010 by dave pinch

[Guest]

I WAS ON ABOUT OUR SOULESS AUTOMATED VOICE ROBOTIC SOCIETY THE OTHER DAY ON ANOTHER THREAD AND I HATE IT. SO SAVE ROOM FOR ME PLEEEEEEZ.I`D GLADLY LEAVE THE MOBILE BEHIND BUT CAN I FETCH MI LAPTOP SO I CAN LOOK AT SS/ EBAY & GEMM

DAVE

Mobiles will be banned Dave .

The only way you will be able to telephone anyone , is to walk to the nearest " Push A or B " telephone box situated on the island .

If the person you are ringing is " considerably richer than yow " , they will have a telephone , but if they are not so well off , they will be waiting at another telephone box .

Wigley - you do not know what you have started with this thread ......

Malc Burton

Edited January 17, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Geoff Whitfield]

I'm a manager of an independant cd/dvd/books and vinyl shop,called Head.

If you believe all the reports it sounds all doom and gloom but all is not lost.

I believe the times of every city/town having 3 or 4 chain shops(only HMV left now )and few indies are long gone.

But if you find the right city/town and very importantly the right rent deal there is a chance for a shop to thrive.

People still like to browse and find something they didn't specifically come in for, which I think happens less on line (ie you look up what you want and buy it and thats it)

People like to see different stock at good prices.

When we opened just over 2 years ago we didn't stock any vinyl and slowly we are in the process of building this up (both new and 2nd hand)it is going quite well and customers are really suprised when they actually see you stock vinyl.

We are based in Leamington Spa and there are no independant shops in Coventry(except a small maket stall) 8 miles away, no shops at all in Rugby 10 miles away, only HMV in Stratford 7 miles away.

we get customers all the time from these places, they tell us they like the choice and the prices and the customer service.

Customer service is very important, if we have not got it we will do our upost to get it for them, plus making sure all your staff are helpful and know their product.

We have a range of over 10,000 cds, 8000 dvd titles and about 1000 vinyl, which I think is a fair range.

We do sell on line via Amazon and this does well.

We are not blind to the fact that a big percentage of people buy online and more people will follow, we try to make the shopping experence as good and memorable as possible so customers will come back.

Downloads will continue to grow and I believe it is an age thing on who downloads the most (yes there are exceptions)

For a large percentage of people still though they want the physical product and this is where labels with ltd editions and good packaging can try and compete.

Sorry for going on a bit, I could go on and on but I think you can see where I'm coming from.

All the best

Geoff

[Agentsmith]

This was in my face when I switched the PC on today

https://uk.news.yahoo...co-8a3eada.html

Which isn't a surprise, but along with Pubs closing and the record shops going I thought of buying up an Island (Somewhere warm and not in an earthquake zone) and selling shares in it.

We'd have at least 10 Pubs and 20 record shops and soul nights / all nighters every weekend. You'd spend all week around the shops then in to the pubs to refresh your selves then be able to talk bollox about what you found at the weekends events.

It would have its own "Soul police" force and anyone caught playing or buying Bootleggs would have a giant bubble chasing them down the beach....I'd also make Malc Burton the President of the Island.

OOOEEER!...DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO WEAR SEADOGS, DRIVE A MINI-MOKE AND SAY "BE SEEING YOU"? and can we do this in 1967 all over again?...dunno if malc should be number 2 tho'

the agent (6)

Anyone fancy it ?

Rob

ps I lost track of this thread-I think it was because I was in the company of the "Brandy sisters" last night lost in the Dearn Valley

[Rob Wigley]

Soul Island it is then

There's going to be a wine bar called The Grapevine

and one pub called "The tone-arm and Spindle"

No import duty on records of any format.

[JOHNNYBETCHA]

where would the cashpoints be? near the pubs or the record shops or in this blissful uptopia would it all be free? - easyjet or ryanair - let me know!

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

ok so all talk of Record shops that close and yes it is a dying breed but there are some still in trade and ones that may well do for many years but what about CD and record fairs

There is loads of CD and record fairs held every year in a town near you from the small to large and i don't see them having a problem, if they did there would not be 50 or so listed a month in Record collector. Wonder people forget about that side. Lucky in Peterborough where record fairs closed another started up.

[Rob Wigley]

where would the cashpoints be? near the pubs or the record shops or in this blissful uptopia would it all be free? - easyjet or ryanair - let me know!

We'd all be micro chipped and the money taken from your bank accounts to a certain level each month. Soul Island record stores and pubs would all run "Tabs"-when a certain level is reached the others would be allowed to catch up -drinking or reord buying--you'd get some extra credit for talking more bollox about matrix numbers etc.

banks ? who needs them

oh and President Burton will be re-introducing both the 10 Shilling and One pound Notes !

[Tabs]

Don't like the sound of that

We'd all be micro chipped and the money taken from your bank accounts to a certain level each month. Soul Island record stores and pubs would all run "Tabs"- when a certain level is reached the others would be allowed to catch up -drinking or reord buying--you'd get some extra credit for talking more bollox about matrix numbers etc.

banks ? who needs them

oh and President Burton will be re-introducing both the 10 Shilling and One pound Notes !

[Guest]

We'd all be micro chipped and the money taken from your bank accounts to a certain level each month. Soul Island record stores and pubs would all run "Tabs"-when a certain level is reached the others would be allowed to catch up -drinking or reord buying--you'd get some extra credit for talking more bollox about matrix numbers etc.

banks ? who needs them

oh and President Burton will be re-introducing both the 10 Shilling and One pound Notes !

Along with half penny , penny , three pence , six pence , shilling , florin and , half crown coins ......

Malc Burton

[Rob Wigley]

We will be opening an all night chemist as well-it will be all locked up-- break your own way in through the back

Nogger has just been appointed Health Minister!

How much for those sounds ? "One shilling and Thre'pence 'alfpenny"

[shuggie61]

Hi Geoff whereabouts in Leamington is your shop located? My sis lives in Kennedy Square near the Builders arms and I occasionally visit her. Used to enjoy Fopp! Ta.

[Guest]

We will be opening an all night chemist as well-it will be all locked up-- break your own way in through the back

Nogger has just been appointed Health Minister!

How much for those sounds ? "One shilling and Thre'pence 'alfpenny"

If it was an all - night one , surely it would be staffed , therefore preventing any break ins ?

Malc Burton

Edited January 20, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Rob Wigley]

If it was an all - night one , surely it would be staffed , therefore preventing any break ins ?

No its like "dancing on Ice" President I got what it takes Burton---they will lock the shop up , view on CCTV and award marks for "Most promising newcomer", "Most agile jemmy" , "swiftness of entry" "Best balaclava" etc. By the way -anyone stealing records will be hung !!

Edited January 21, 2010 by Karen and Rob Wigley

[Guest]

Explanation accepted Roberto .

If someone wants to play their " Joker " ( a la " It's A Knockout " ) , they can save themselves the

hassle , and get a female employee who they know works in the chemist , to get them the stuff ....... not that I ever did that sort of thing

In respect of record stealing - it will not just be hanging , it will be accompanied by drawing and quartering ......

Malc Burton

Edited January 21, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Guest in town Mikey]

If this is a subject that interests you, then I recommend the book, Last Shop Standing, by Graham Jones.

Its a very funny tale of how the music industry has shafted the record shops in favour of Supermarkets.

The only sour note is he doesnt like Dave Evison. That one page aside, its a very good book.

[Rob Wigley]

If this is a subject that interests you, then I recommend the book, Last Shop Standing, by Graham Jones.

Its a very funny tale of how the music industry has shafted the record shops in favour of Supermarkets.

The only sour note is he doesnt like Dave Evison. That one page aside, its a very good book.

Thanks for the tip off will try and find one-how old is it-the title sounds familiar !

Rob

[Soulsider]

Soul Island it is then

There's going to be a wine bar called The Grapevine

and one pub called "The tone-arm and Spindle"

No import duty on records of any format.

I live in Blackpool and three miles away is a village called Poulton-Le-Fylde. There is three floored bar there called The Grapevine.

It was an old deserted ironmongers and was bought and converted to a bar by Karen (?) and her partner David Nowell. David was the co-author with Russ Winstanley of "Soul Survivors - The Wigan Casino Story."

The bar was full of memorabilia and soul on CDs every night. Great place. The sold it on a few years ago. The name remains the same, some soul music and a giant picture of Marvin Gaye still adorns the wall. I still go in now and again.

[Rob Wigley]

I live in Blackpool and three miles away is a village called Poulton-Le-Fylde. There is three floored bar there called The Grapevine.

It was an old deserted ironmongers and was bought and converted to a bar by Karen (?) and her partner David Nowell. David was the co-author with Russ Winstanley of "Soul Survivors - The Wigan Casino Story."

The bar was full of memorabilia and soul on CDs every night. Great place. The sold it on a few years ago. The name remains the same, some soul music and a giant picture of Marvin Gaye still adorns the wall. I still go in now and again.

Thats Rod Allsworth country isn't it !!!!!

There's another pub opening on Soul Island"The Dodgy Stylus" better known as "The Knackered Needle"

[Soul-slider]

A couple of record shop owners I know put their BEST stuff on ebay! Little wonder nobody bothers with the record shop anymore.

Want a rare record you've been after for ages...? Go on ebay. Simple as.

I know, it's attitudes like this that are shutting down the record shop's but that's the way it is today I'm afraid.

I hardly venture into my local record shop, his prices are o.t.t (for 'bootlegs' he knows nothing about!) and when he does get something tasty....up on ebay it goes! Pointless.

[Guest in town Mikey]

Thanks for the tip off will try and find one-how old is it-the title sounds familiar !

Rob

I think its fairly new. I was given it as a birthday present last year.

[Martint]

A couple of record shop owners I know put their BEST stuff on ebay! Little wonder nobody bothers with the record shop anymore.

Want a rare record you've been after for ages...? Go on ebay. Simple as.

I know, it's attitudes like this that are shutting down the record shop's but that's the way it is today I'm afraid.

I hardly venture into my local record shop, his prices are o.t.t (for 'bootlegs' he knows nothing about!) and when he does get something tasty....up on ebay it goes! Pointless.

that's a very very good point and I bet loads of records shops do exactly the same thinking "nobody is going to walk in and spend £200 on this....." when in fact people probably would make a special trip if they thought there was a chance of bagging (or even just seeing) a real vinyl gem in the flesh...... I used to love digging through record shops but as you say, if you know it's been cherry picked by the owner himself(!) then it's a bit pointless.....

[Mark S]

Acording to an industry body the International federation of the phonographic industry IFPI some 95% of music downloads are illegal .

This feels like an alien enviroment to me I treasure my records they are in my possibly naive mind a tangible link to the artists .

In thirty or so years time will people still have these downloaded tracks or will they be chucked with the hard drive ,there is no value or provenace atached to downloaded music even less so the pirated music .

Its very sad but symtomatic of this disposable world we inhabit .

God I have made myself all miserable now gonna have to sniff some vinyl

[Rob Wigley]

I think its fairly new. I was given it as a birthday present last year.

sorry Mikey wasn't being rude -just busy-its on Amazon for about £8 new-i'll get it sent for

what shall we do for President Burtons 60th ??

[S Foster]

We'd all be micro chipped and the money taken from your bank accounts to a certain level each month. Soul Island record stores and pubs would all run "Tabs"-when a certain level is reached the others would be allowed to catch up -drinking or reord buying--you'd get some extra credit for talking more bollox about matrix numbers etc.

banks ? who needs them

oh and President Burton will be re-introducing both the 10 Shilling and One pound Notes !

Edited January 26, 2010 by give and take

[dean jj]

any record shop owners like to pass on current views

do any embrace all this download technolgy ?

would/could a shop offering legal downloads for sale on other media be legit in uk ?

as guess theres a lot of people out there on high street uk who may not be up to speed with a lot of the geek stuff

A few thoughts on the demise of record shops. I ran one for 12 years then went mailorder/selling at gigs for six years, and I think that many shut not only because of downloading [because many downloaders if they like something enough will seek out a real one], but also because of:

1] while the profit on new releases stayed the same or diminished the overheads rent/rates/insurence/wages all went up and up.

2] you would promte something that you thought was good, sell some, and then people would say 'that track your pushing: I got it straight from the artist on the web for £3 less'. well of course you did because the artist is selling it at the wholesale price. The three pound was the profit margin on a CD/45/12".The same person would never think how they knew to order it of course.

3] Of course collectors/old records are still making a lot of money but a shop still costs too much and there isn't a bottomless pit of good quality stuff.

4] The only people who ever ask me if I miss the shop are people who never spent any money in it.Go figure!

5] One final though for all keen downloaderst: when you peg it and the partner wants to sell your records to pay of debts and undertakers your collection will be worth zip.

love

dean