RECORD STORE TALES #881: The Return of the Record Store Tales
A minor announcement, but an announcement nonetheless! As of this chapter, for all of my stories going forward, I have decided to retire the name Getting More Tale. I am returning to the original moniker of Record Store Tales.
It’s really always intended to be considered one body of work.
One of the most important parts of the original Record Store Tales was the “ending” — quitting the store in Part 320. That series of events was one I was really anxious to tell, so when the time felt right, I got it done and wrapped Record Store Tales up in a lil’ bow. I then broadened the scope of my stories with the “sequel” series Getting More Tale (title suggested by Aaron of the KMA).
Getting More Tale has often dipped back into the Record Store days for subject matter, as well as childhood, and the 15 years since I quit. I’ve also told stories about technology and historic records. The sky was the limit when I changed the name to Getting More Tale…but I have always identified as a “Record Store guy”. Even if it has been 15 years since I last worked behind a counter…once a Record Store guy, always a Record Store guy.
The 12 years I spent in the store were 12 of the defining years of my life, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. But to quote a song, “It’s My Life” and calling the whole she-bang “Record Store Tales” feels right. Even if roughly half the stories have nothing to do with working in a store, “you are what you is”. Today I may be a guy who works in the steel industry, but I will always be a guy who managed a Record Store, and proud of it!
So there you have it; the lines shall no longer be blurred. The ongoing story of Mike LeBrain, former Record Store manager, obsessive music collector and all-around open book, shall henceforce be known once more as the Record Store Tales.*
The content is not changing one iota. I have the next 10 chapters locked and loaded, with subject matter covering the whole gamut. Childhood musical flashbacks, working behind the counter in the glory years, school daze, old tech, bad dates, toys, and maybe even some controversy. I continue to be excited to bring you stories that you seem to enjoy! It has been been over six years since I “wrapped up” Record Store Tales. There was backlash to the ending. But that only emboldened me. My writing has improved ten-fold since. I’m proud to fly the flag of Record Store Tales again.
Thanks for reading all these years! It has been an organic experience and for nine years you have been an integral part of it. Let’s go forward, shall we?
To be continued….
* I won’t be going back and re-naming anything, I will just be carrying on the numbering system will the title Record Store Tales.
Boy, I hope banging a hot indie rock girl is part of the legacy!
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That’s what I hoped too but [spoiler alert] it was quite the opposite.
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We each get to play 1 song.
Ok.
I go first (as I proceed to put on Dopesmoker)
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Since this name change is happening you will need to leave your cell phone on, all the time, from now on.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!
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I love this!!! Once a record store guy, always a record store guy. Those are words you should live by!
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I guess I do so it’s time to make it official!
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Cool, does this mean you might have stories that you could possibly be sued for? That would be fun!! LOL!!
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Fun for you maybe! Yeah I have an upcoming story called Crossing the Line, which I’ve been sitting on for about 4 months. That one, they won’t appreciate, but it’s still coming anyway.
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LOL!! Yes, fun for me. Oooh, “Crossing the LIne” sounds interesting!!
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Love the Blue Jays pennant in the photo background!
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Tom’s apartment in London when he owned the record store there! That was a snowy weekend man, right around this time in February, about 20 years ago.
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I would have been at Western at that time – we may have crossed paths in London (perhaps even at his record store) without knowing it!
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Entirely possible. All we have to do is go back in time, put a microchip in you and one in Tom, and we’d know for sure. This is what I call the bright side of being microchipped!
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Hopefully not disrupting the space-time continuum in the process!
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I’m well prepared for that. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Marvel multiverse, so I’m prepared if I start encountering alternative versions of myself.
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Alright! I was there when it was Record Store Tales, I was there when you transitioned to Getting More Tale. I will remain…and read!
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Full circle! Same kind of content, just back to the old name. Not like New Coke / Classic Coke!
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The Meat/LeBrain video may have inspired a post from me.
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