Christmas and New Year opening times....

So we'll be buying, selling and trading damn fine vinyl records as follows...

Thursday 22nd December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Friday 23rd December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Christmas Eve - 11.00am to 2.00pm
Christmas Day - CLOSED
Boxing Day - CLOSED
Tuesday 27th December - ClOSED
Wednesday 28th December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday 29th December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Friday 30th December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
New Years Eve - CLOSED
New Years Day - CLOSED
Monday 2nd - CLOSED
Tuesday - back to normal opening hours.

Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you all.

Matt. xxx

Here's some of the new stock in this week...

The withering of the diggers thumb...

You know why humans developed thumbs? After decades of digging record bins Mother Nature stepped up to the plate and delivered. There's now some concern amongst the vinyl community that these opposable digits are starting to wither. Many shops are sharing crate contents online in photo form, negating the need to physically enter the domain of a real world bricks and mortar record shop and dig. A number of hipsters have already reported the loss of thumb rings following mass loss to their thumbs.

Here's some example photo's of contents recently added to our crates...




Continued viewing of images like these has been proven (and by proven I actually mean falsely implied) to cause withering of the diggers thumb.

The only real solution is to get yourself down to Marrs Plectrum Records and have a good dig. We've 1,000's of records here. Good for the heart and soul. And thumbs. And ears.

Record Store Day Saturday 16th April 2016

The big day is nearly upon us. We love RSD here at Plectrum HQ. It's a great chance to catch up with old vinyl friends, make new ones and well, see the ones that are never away (the Plectrum's Dick and Barry's!). There's also a shed load of fantastic vinyl exclusives available. And Run The Jewels viewfinder, The Flaming Lips comic and Rega's RSD RP1 turntable (only 500 available globally). 

We're planning on hosting the event just like last year. Doors (well, gate) open at 8.00am. Anyone queuing please be mindful that we're in a residential area - many of our neighbours have young children and work in the morning. Just be awesome like last year! Mrs Plectrum will be providing tea/coffee and breakfast rolls for the early birds. Yeah, she's the best!

Weather permitting (please don't rain, please don't rain, please don't rain) we'll be selling the RSD stock alfresco. The shop will of course be open. This is Record Store Day. It's a celebration of the indie shop. There's 1,000's of titles available, new and used. We'll also have bargain bins because who doesn't like a vinyl bargain? Everyday is Record Store Day here (except Sunday and Monday, they're for listening). 

Heartfelt thanks for all your support over the last year. You've been fantastic. For those who've been messaging and emailing me (Matt) over the last few days, please introduce yourself so I can put a face to the name.

Viva vinyl. Viva music. Viva be excellent to each other.

Big love. Matt. xxx

FAQ…

When and where?

8.00am until 4.00pm on Saturday 16^th April 2016. The shop is located at 387 Fulbridge Road, Peterborough, PE4 6SF. Remaining stock will be available in the shop during normal opening hours. Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm and Saturday 11.00am to 2.00pm. We’re closed on Sunday and Monday.

How can I get there?

The number 1 bus runs along Mountsteven Avenue every 10 minutes and is just a 5 minute walk to the shop. Customers are encouraged to walk or cycle to the shop wherever possible. Those on bikes are welcome to leave them in the back once we’re open.

Where can I park?

As you know, we’re located in a residential area with limited parking. If you do have to drive please be thoughtful when parking. We want to remain friends with our neighbours! So we respectfully request that you…

• Do not park on the grass verges.
• Don not block driveways or access for any properties.
• Ensure that Emergency Services have full access along all roads.

What stock do we have and is there a price list?

 This will be published as soon all stock is confirmed (probably Friday). All shops taking part are free to price as they wish within a reasonable limit. We will be pricing in line with other shops.

Can I reserve a particular item?

No. All records are sold on a first come first served basis. Although many of you have requested we order in certain records they are not reserved!

Can I buy multiple copies?

No. One copy per title per customer only. Even if it's for your best mate who's currently hospitalised and is the band's biggest fan. You can of course buy as many different titles as you like.

I can’t make it on the day. What can I do?

Sorry to hear that. All stock left over will be available in the shop during normal hours. One week after RSD remaining stock may be made available online. The point of RSD is to get people into bricks and mortar record shops!

Is there a discreet way to purchase the Justin Bieber picture disc?

Marrs Plectrum Records is broad church. You will not be judged here. Be honest, bold and brave with your purchases. 

Sound and Vision. Muted and Black. RIP David Bowie.

Mrs Plectrum woke me this morning with the news that David Bowie had died. I’m not easily stirred from slumber, so surely this is a dark dream. Bowie? He doesn’t die, he re-invents, re-configers. It seems that the BBC, 6 Music and the entire social media world are in on this too. Bowie is gone. 

He’s been telling us. I picked up a copy of Backstar on Friday, having already heard (and seen) the title track Blackstar and Lazarus. We just weren’t paying attention. First play of that record left me with two thoughts. Firstly, whilst I always look after my records, I handle the Bowie ones with a reverence. They're a work of art, somehow closer to the actual David Bowie than records by other artists. Secondly, for how many people will Backstar be their first Bowie record? And how odd would that be?

Bowie’s timeline is out of sync with mine. I didn’t grow up with Bowie, but I quickly caught up. I started with Ziggy Stardust and Scary Monsters, bookends of the 70’s and immediately filled the gaps. Contemporary music gets put on hold when you discover a back catalogue like this. It’s a velvet goldmine you can spend years in. Anyone discovering Bowie after this tragic news is in for one amazing ride. And those recent releases aren’t too shabby either.

I was going to play through that incredible cannon of music today, but BBC 6 Music, good friends that they are, have stepped in. They’ve made today Bowieday and it’s been beautiful. Track after track, eulogies, memories, anecdotes. Moving and wonderful.

I’ve just heard Bowie called the greatest artist of all time, better than Da Vinci and Michelangelo, Mozart or Bach. That’s a tall order and bold statement, like Bowie himself. There’s no doubt that he’s been the single most important cultural icon of the last century. Certainly of my record collection and that’s what counts, right? I’ve spent a lot of time listening to music, probably Bowie more than any other artist. That won’t change.

So here’s to you, David Bowie, the most talented, smart and beautiful human being to grace this world. I’ll always be listening.