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.

PIAS Pre-Sale for 27 November 2015...

Here's the list of records available for pre-order from PIAS for release on 27 November. If you're interested please let me know before Thursday 5th November. More details for each release available.

Albums

Bibio ‘Fi’ 2LP £18.99

The Bolshoi ‘5 Albums’ CD Box Set £17.99

Correatown ‘Embrace The Fuzzy Unknown’ CD £11.99

Courteeners ‘Concrete Love: Extra Love’ 2CD £11.99

Deepchord ‘Ultraviolet Music’ 2 CD £13.99

Fela Kuti & His Africa 70 ‘Fela Fela Fela’ 10' Vinyl £17.99

FUFANU ‘Few More Days To Go’ LP £17.99

Helloween ‘Master Of The Rings’ Vinyl £17.99

Helloween ‘The Time Of The Oath’ Vinyl £17.99

Helloween ‘Walls Of Jericho’ Vinyl £17.99

Lush ‘Ciao! Best Of Lush’ 2 LP £19.99

Mark Lanegan & John Robb ‘A Conversation With Mark Lineman’ LP £10.99

Nectarine No 9 ‘Saint Jack’ LP 17.99

Parquet Courts ‘Monastic Living’ LP £17.99

SOPHIE ‘PRODUCT’ CD £14.99

Singles

FaltyDL ‘Visceral’ 12" vinyl £10.99

Fink ‘Fall Into The Light’ / ‘Pilgrim 12" vinyl £10.99

Forever Cult ‘Tunnel Vision’ / ‘Something In The Water’ 7" vinyl £7.99

Mammút ‘River’s End’ 12" vinyl £10.99

Maribou State ‘Portraits Remixed’ 12" vinyl £9.99

Merchandise featuring Dum Dum Girls ‘Red Sun’ / ‘Echo’ 7' vinyl £5.99

RocketNumberNine ‘Two Ways’ 12" Ltd vinyl £11.99

SOPHIE Four 12” Singles 12" vinyl at £10.99 each

Tigercub ‘Repressed Semantics’ 12" vinyl £10.99

Tiny Ruins & Hamish Kilgour ‘Hurtling Through’ 12" vinyl £11.99

DVD

Andy Parsons ‘Live And Unleashed - But Naturally Cautious’ £14.99

Melvins ‘Across The USA In 51 Days: The Movie!’ £13.99

The Marrs Plectrum Records vinyl only podcast...

It's taken longer than we'd hoped, but the shops vinyl only podcast is now live! Excited much? You bet we are.

The idea isn't to plug the shops stock, it's to share great music. The rest can take care of itself, right?

Each show will be co-presented by Ralph White. We'll pick a subject to discuss and play some records from that theme. We're starting with 'Game Changers". Records that impacted to the extent that our collecting took a new direction. What changed things for you?

As if that isn't enough, there's a competition with your chance to win a copy of one Bjork's recent reissues. We spoil you.

Click the link below...

https://soundcloud.com/marrsplectrum/marrs-plectrum-records-show-1-game-changers

The humble 7" single. Are you missing out?

There’s something magical about the humble 7” single. It was there at the birth of rock’n’roll, the mainstay of punk and soul and for many, still where the actions at. It used to be the foundation of a lifelong love of music and collecting. It’s a lot like your first kiss.

The single blurs the lines between nostalgia and memorabilia. Those trailblazing 45’s from across genres lit up the lives of generations. It’s impossible to handle them without being transported back in time. 

I’ve a fascination with Beatles and Stones singles that come to the shop. As a rule, Beatles singles are in far better condition than Stones. This conqures images of the 60’s Beatles/Stones divide. For me, every Stones record was played by an edgy youth, sucking on a stolen Embassy No. 1. These were made for illicit pleasure and that’s what they delivered. Why put Stones records back in their sleeves when you could be chasing the girl next door?

Sonically, 45’s offer a deeper punch. Unlike albums, they weren’t produced solely for home consumption. They had to stand up against the chatter of coffee shops and clubs. They drove the dance floor with bass and snares. There’s an energy and urgency. The three minute or so limit compacts ideas. These things are pure thrill and impact. 

The digital world has stolen the singles greatest gift from us. The B side. This is often where the gems lie. A chance for artists to try something new. It’s true that these are often fodder, but keep searching. There’s gold dust on the flipside. It’s astounding that The Smiths seminal How Soon Is Now? spent a few months on the other side of William, It Was Really Nothing before getting its own release. The Jam hid The Butterfly Collector on the flip of Strange Town. Go figure.

Personally, I don’t have to be so fussy with the grading of singles I listen to (that doesn’t extend to grading the ones I sell, of course!). A little crackling and pop was put their years ago by a previous owner to whom that record was the most important thing in the world. That’s why they wrote their name on the centre labels. They wanted ownership of that music. They wanted to be associated to it. And they were always way cooler and better dressed than me.

So next time you call at Plectrum HQ have a little delve in the singles. Take a chance. It could be the start of something new. To you, at least.

Cheers Matt. x