Friday, August 20, 2010


WELLINGTON MINISTRY BOOK FAIR 2010 TSB ARENA
21st August
Just having a break from the record store updates to provide a little information about the Wellington Ministry book fair that was on today. For the early morning people its a chance to get to TSB Arena and get in line and handle the cold weather. Usually i turn up half an hour early and have a good spot in the line for the forward advance attack on the record section. But this year i turned up 20minutes before open, and really i was 10minutes to late but no worries. By the time the line got moving and i got inside there were 20-25 filled crates of records and half of them occupied by other vinyl junkies. The first few crates were dumb then the goodish stuff starting appearing. The worst thing about smash and grab records fairs is seeing someone pick out a record you really want. Lucky for me i didn't look at any ones records and i was happy anyway. My wahine also grabs for me so two haha. Like a lot of the early people we all seemed to get good records. I walked out with 30-40 records. Compare this to last year where i was the 2nd person on the records but walked away with 3-5 records. There was a lot more vinyl this weekend than last year and reasonably priced as well $2-$10.
Checkout the vinyl junkies bottom right corner.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

RECORD STORE REVIEW 5 OF 15


MUSIC BOX
346 HERETAUNGA ST HASTINGS
Ratings
Stock, numbers of records 7/10
Collectible stock 7/10
Quality and pricing 6.5/10
Service 6.5/10
Knowledge 6/10
Overall vibe 5/10
Average 6.4
Music Box record exchange is one of the only Central North Island record stores. Music box specializes in 2nd hand records but sell tapes and Cd's. Again another small store well packed with records. A well sectioned store with good NZ, alternative rock, jazz and A-Z sections. There is also a very good rare records shelve. Last time i went there was a couple of years ago and there was a copy of the monster rare LP from the Kinks "Village green" sitting in the store for $330 retail. Always lots of new records coming in and the owner has a good head for whats sells and whats popular. When i went in there were multiple copy's of collectible bands, Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Flying Nun and so. Also a good range of 7" scattered around the store. I always need at least 3 hours digging time when I'm in the Music Box record exchange.
Still more record stores to be reviewed and thanks to Kit beer reviews will start happening soon.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

RECORD STORE REVIEW 4 OF 15


CONCH RECORDS
115A PONSONBY RD AUCKLAND
Ratings
Stock, numbers of records 5.5/10
Collectible stock 3/10
Quality and pricing 6/10
Service 7/10
Knowledge 8/10
Overall vibe 8.5/10
Average 6.4/10
OK this is a record store for the new cool kids, DJ and funky music listeners. Sitting in one of Auckland's flash suburbs is Conch records, a stylish trendy record/music/clothes/art/coffee(gonna slash my wrists up) shop. The shops bases its music on the groove genre's soul, funk, disco, hip hop,roots, dub reggae, DnB, dubstep, house and more DJ material. Selling a good mix of new DJ 7s, 12s to repressed soul/funk, reggae. Conch also has a good selection of used DJ vinyl at good prices. The shop is well designed with funky art for sale around the shop and styli t shirts, clothes and even a cafe setup inside and out. Choice as tunes are always on with a DJ turntable set up, very cool. The guys that run this place know their stuff when it comes to delivering the funk to your ears. They offer good advice and experience for both new and old skool beats.
Conch records 6.4/10 Nice1 bro.



Monday, August 16, 2010

RECORD STORE REVIEW 3 OF 15


LO COST RECORDS

147 JACKSON ST PETONE LOWER HUTT
Ratings
Stock, numbers of records 7.5/10
Collectable stock 6/10
Quality and pricing 6/10
Service 5/10
Knowledge 4/10
Overall feel, vibe 3/10
Average 5.3/10
Again another smallish shop. The shop is really filled up with vinyl and record bins are full all of the time. On both sides there are records with a central section with Cd's. Under the record booths are boxes and boxes of 7" records. The walls are covered in special records and also metal/rock posters and good bogan T-shirts. There is some collectible records in this shop at times. A really good diverse range in the A-Z pop rock and same for the 50s-60s A-Z with lots of original pressings. Lo Cost also stocks very good classic rock, metal and punk sections. If you are not into the bogan stuff there is always the jazz or even NZ sections. Digging will take you a good day here. The only negatives are the radio stations always seems to be on not Cd's. And the owner is nice but very quiet (hence low knowledge rating, he probably knows his stuff??). So at times it feels quiet and lacks vibe. A good record store to look through and i always find it hard buying because he has so much good records in good condition.