Record Store Tales

Part 136: Black Sabbath, July 22 1995 (REVIEW!)

Sadly, my concert review for this show no longer exists. Β Ye olde floppy discs don’t exist anymore, and the site that once hosted the review (sabbathlive.com) no longest exists. Β Therefore I’m forced to re-write this as a Record Store Tale.

RECORD STORE TALES PART 136: Β Black Sabbath July 22 1995

July 22, 1995. Β Tom, myself, and a few of the boys decided to go see Black Sabbath. Β They were playing Lulu’s Roadhouse, the world’s longest bar, with Motorhead opening. Β It felt like a step down for both bands, but the place was packed.

We arrived just before Lemmy hit the stage. Β They ripped into a scorching set to promote their latest album, the high-octaneΒ Sacrifice. Β  I remember Lemmy introducing the title track: Β “Don’t try to dance to this one or you’ll break both your fucking legs!” Β At the end of their set, Motorhead promised to return (and they did a year later).

I remember Tom and I being blown away by Motorhead. Β I didn’t own any — this show officially was what made me a fan. Β I kicked myself for not really paying attention to them earlier, but better late than never eh?

Motorhead remain today one of the best bands I’ve seen.

But I was there to see Black Sabbath. Β We moved closer to the front of the stage to be in position. Β We chose a spot perfectly between where the two Tony’s would be, right up front.

The crowd was getting a little drunk and restless. Β A fight started…well, I hesitate to really call it a fight, Β it was over before it started. Β We all turned around to see this big huge dude headbutt this little tiny Kurt Cobain looking guy. Β Knocked him out cold. Β Then the big guy realized everybody was watching and hastily made an exit.

Then, Black Sabbath: Β Tony Iommi, Tony Martin, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, and Geoff Nicholls. Β What we didn’t know was that Cozy only had seven more gigs after this one. Β Then he would be replaced by another Sabbath vet, Bobby Rondinelli. Β And of course little did I know that I’d never see Cozy live again in any band: Β He was killed in a car accident 3 years later.

They hit the stage to the classic Martin-era opener, “Children of the Grave”. Β Sabbath’s set was sprinkled with tunes from the Ozzy era (“War Pigs”, “Iron Man”, “Paranoid”, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, “Black Sabbath”) and the Dio era (“Heaven and Hell”, “Mob Rules”) and many of his own tracks. Β They played three from the lacklustre new record, but at least three of the better songs: Β an awesomely dramatic “Kiss Of Death”, the explosive “Can’t Get Close Enough”, and the filler song “Get A Grip”.

It was just before “Get A Grip” that the stagediving began. Β Tom vacated the stage area right away. Β “Get a grip is right!” he said to me. Β “I’m out of here.” Β Two songs later I followed him. Β This drunk girl started grinding me from behind, so I took the first chance to slip away and catch up with Tom.

The one song I really came to see was “The Shining”, one of the best Martin-era tunes, and his first single with the band. Β Sabbath delivered. Β They also played two fromΒ Headless Cross including “When Death Calls”. Β Neil Murray played the chiming bass intro to this song that I’d never heard before. Β It was the only unfamiliar song. Β I resolved to get Headless Cross as soon as possible. Β (It took two months for Orange Monkey Music in Waterloo to get it from Europe.)

Vague memories:

Tony Martin was a so-so frontman. Β Much of the time, he would spread his arms Christ-like and shake his thinning hair. Β He talked a lot and I remember he had small, beady but friendly looking eyes. Β He did the best he could. Β He sang his ass off, although he had lost a fair chunk of his range.

I remember Iommi ditched his SG for an unfamiliar red guitar during the overdriven “Can’t Get Close Enough”.

I could barely see Cozy, which is my biggest regret.

I was pleased that Sabbath played a well-rounded set with new stuff.

Little did I know that the end was near. Β Not only was Cozy soon to be out, but promoters cancelled much of the end of the tour. Β Sabbath headed over to Japan, threw “Changes” into the set (OMG!) but were done by the end of the year. Β For the first time in a long time, Sabbath were put on ice while Tony (Iommi) worked on a solo album with Glenn Hughes.

Meanwhile, the lawyers were conspiring to create a new/old Sabbath lineup. Β By 1997, Ozzy was back, and the band now featuring founding members Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and new drummer Mike Bordin of Faith No More.

I’m glad Β to have seen Sabbath with Martin. Β He did five albums, and I like three of them. Β I think he did the best he could under difficult circumstances. Β He’s a talented guy, so it’s great to have seen this lineup especially since Cozy would be gone so soon!

Part 135: GUEST SHOT! Back In A Tracksuit

“It’s alright to say things will only get better. Β You haven’t lost your brand new sweater.”

RECORD STORE TALES PART 135: Β Back In A Tracksuit

Way, way back, in Part 15, I talked about a band called the Sultans Of Ping F.C. Β (F.C. stands for Football Club.)

Their album,Β Casual Sex in the Cineplex, was discovered in-store by T-Rev and quickly spread to the rest of us.Β It was Irish punk rock with hilarious lyrics!

My brother knows Karl Marx
He met him eating mushrooms in the public park
He said ‘What do you think of my manifesto?’
I like your manifesto, put it to the testoΒ Β  –Β (β€œWhere’s Me Jumper?”)

That album spread line fungus among us.Β  One problem:Β  there was just one copy in the entire chain of stores.Β  And all of us wanted it.Β  So, the CD went on hold into a β€œstore play” pile.Β  Anybody could listen to it on their shift, but it stayed in the store.Β  That arrangement lasted a few months.

But T-Rev remembers this much more clearly than I do. Β I’ll let him take over:

Here is the official β€œSultans Of Ping F.C.” story! We stumbled across this album, as Mike has said, completely by happenstance, put it on, laughed our heads off…history was made!

So, none of us wanted to put it β€œon the floor” for sale, fearing it would be gone forever, so I put it in my β€œpile” and there it sat for probably 3-4 months. Other staff members would listen to it (even when I was off) and just put it back in my pile at the end of the night. They didn’t want me to buy it either, as that would mean it would leave the store and enter my collection…which meant we couldn’t listen to it at the store (obviously), and I enjoyed the laugh occasionally. So it kind of became a sort of “store copy”.

One day, the boss came in and it was playing. He hated the album from the get-go (as he got a taste of it shortly after we discovered it) and he made a comment about it still being here in my β€œpile” and said β€œif you are not going to buy it, then put it out for sale!” so I did, reluctantly (thinking it would never sell anyway, and i’d be able to snag it later β€œunnoticed”). That same day, just before shift change, Matty came in and perused the new arrivals (as he often did prior to starting his shift). Β He found the β€œSultans” in said area and looks at me and says β€œYou’re not buying this? Fuck, I will!!”…and the boss sold it to him right in front of me.

That’s the last time I have ever seen an actual copy of that album (although I have a downloaded copy of it now) – not the same!

Should’ve put it in the β€œSaskatoon pile”!

“Back In A Tracksuit”…”Two Pints of Raza”…”Where’s Me Jumper?”…”Give Him a Ball and a Yard of Grass”…all great tunes, funny yet insanely catchy and quirky!

I remember that we could barely understand the words, and “Indeed You Are” sounded to us a hell of a lot like “Konnichiwa”!

I know that Trevor did once locate a CD single from the Sultans. Β Was it “Japanese Girls”? Β Trevor adds:

I have 2 CD singles as well!!

Coincidentally, I have EVERY OTHER Sultans album except Casual Sex…

I have never seen an actual physical copy of Casual Sex again either. Β A guy in Ireland burned me a copy and mailed it to me, but the sound’s not that great, and the speed sounds a little off.

Still, great songs. Β Anybody got a copy? Β You could have a bidding war between me and T-Rev!

Part 134: Dave

RECORD STORE TALES PART 134: Β Dave

In late 2005, I met Dave for the first time.

Jen and I had just started dating, since September 18 actually, and I think I met her dad on our second date (by complete accident, we were out for a walk and as he was driving by). Β He made me very welcome to their family early on. Β He treated me like a son when I spent Christmas Day 2005 with them.

Dave was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met, and one of the most generous. Β He truly would have given the shirt off his back. Β I kept hearing the same stories over and over again: Β “Dave really helped me out in the past,” or “I remember Jen’s dad let me stay with them for a week when I had nowhere to sleep.” Β He never asked for repayment. Β I remember when he helped my sister move from Etobicoke to Kitchener. Β He drove the moving van (actually his delivery van) and he signed up for one trip to Kitchener and that was it. Β Well, we couldn’t get everything in one load. Β We had to do a second load. Β So, he drove back to Etobicoke, and back again to Kitchener, before finally retiring for the evening. Β I had to twist his arm just to get him to accept a Canadian Tire gift card in repayment! Β That’s the kind of guy Dave was.

Did I mention he’d never even met my sister before that night? Β He just did it because he was that kind of man.

We lost Dave three years ago, Nov 3 2009. Β He was only 58 years old. Β Jen misses him — we all miss him — every day. Β It still shakes us.

We lost a great man, probably one of the greatest I’ve ever known. Β I couldn’t let Nov 3 go by without talking about him.

Miss you, Dave.

Part 133: Die For Love

RECORD STORE TALES PART 133: Β Die For Love

1996 was my first year of managing my own store. Β In the very first weeks of business, in came this little gem, Japanese import, never seen it before.

The band featured Iron Maiden’s former guitarist, Dennis Stratton. Β Dennis of course played on the first immortal Maiden platter and a few B-sides too. Β The album featured one great single, “Die For Love”, which had one of the cheesiest music videos of all time. Β Band must rescue blonde damsel in distress from horny-looking mad scientist.

It’s actually a really cool song, very commercial but solid and I’d been hunting for it for years. Β Yet another treasure that fell into my lap. Β Japanese import, $20 used, but with my discount more like $15.

Still, I ended up passing on it. Β I only really liked the one song, and I had other stuff to buy that week including the new Scorpions and King’s X. Β So, I made a judgement call and threw it on the shelves. Β I put a sticker on it that said “Dennis Stratton ex-Iron Maiden” and it sold in a couple weeks. Β It was after it sold that I regretted my decision! Β I didn’t realize how rare the disc was, and I underestimated how much I liked that one song!

Thankfully it’s since been reissued. Β Still, wouldn’t it have been nice to have that Japanese import? Β Yeah.

Part 132: Tremolo

RECORD STORE TALES PART 132: Β Tremolo

One of the perks to working at a record store was taking first crack at anything that came into the store. Β Frequently, people who worked other record stores would sell us theirΒ promos, and often we’d happily buy them, especially when they preceded the actual album.

In spring 1997, Blue Rodeo released their next album, Tremolo. Β Some guy from another chain sold us a promo copy several weeks before its release date. Β Me being a big Blue Rodeo fan, I made sure we snagged it. Β We couldn’t really sell promos on the shelves, but I knew several people who’d want a copy, if I didn’t take it myself. Β It was just a simple black and white sleeve, so I didn’t offer much for it.

I eaglerly put it into the player. Β Their last album, the experimental Nowhere To Here, was a hard one to love but it became one of my favourites. Β I was surprised to hear that Tremolo was nothing like it. Β I gave it a couple spins in store but it wasn’t doing anything for me. Β Nah, I could live without it, I thought, at least until the original release. Β Then I’ll try ‘er again.

I called up Bethany, one of our best customers, and massive Blue Rodeo fan. Β She came in immediately to pick it up. Β Even though us record store guys usually prefer an official release to a promo, Bethany preferred the promo. Β Not only was it weeks in advance and cheaper, she considered it to be a collector’s item, so it worked out for everyone!

Eventually the real thing came out, and when a cheap used one came in, I bought it and took it home. Β It still didn’t click. Β It took several months to really grow on me, but by winter it finally had. Β Like an onion, I had peeled the layers and uncovered the beauty within. Β Tremolo, like Nowhere To Here, was far from immediate for me. Β Its acoustics and almost complete lack of anything electric or uptempo had thrown me for a loop. Β But somehow during that laid back winter of Β ’98, Tremolo and I saw I to eye, and we have been companions ever since.

Lesson: Β Albums must always be listened to over time, in different contexts, before abandoning!

Part 131.5: The Crimson Guard

RECORD STORE TALES PART 131.5:Β  The Crimson Guard

Sort of an intermission here: Β People often come to me and say, “LeBrain, what’s with that GI Joe you that’s in all your Record Store Tales?”

I say, “Oh, you mean this guy?”

“I used him for re-enacting scenes from the old days at the store. Β I’ve chosen him due to his uncanny resemblance to the real thing.”

Part 131: Quagmire

RECORD STORE TALES PART 131:Β  Quagmire

We used to have piles and piles of CDs, stacked on a unit behind the counter.Β  Due to lack of space, this is where we put stock that was:

1. on hold for staff
2. on hold for customers
3. being sent elsewhere for customer orders

Unfortunately these stacks were visible to customers, although not available for sale to the general public.Β  Sometimes you’d have a situation like this:

“Cool!Β  I can see OK Computer by Radiohead!Β  Is that for sale?”

And it wasn’t, which you’d explain.Β  If the CD was on hold for someone, they’d often ask how long it was on hold for so they could be next in line, provided the other person didn’t pick it up.

When stuff was on hold for staff (who usualy snagged the best stuff and held it for longer periods of time) I didn’t like the customers seeing it.Β  But we didn’t really have anywhere better to put it.Β  I proposed putting it in the back room but that didn’t last long.Β  So what we’d do is disguise it in some way.Β  Instead of having a pile labeled “Mike”, we’d change the name.Β  It sometimes threw the customers off the scent.

At one point, I had all the staff hold piles named after Canadian cities.Β  That way looked like stuff that was ordered by other stores.Β  So for example, we’d have a pile labeled “London” which would be a pile of stuff destined for that store.Β  Next to it was a pile labeled “Saskatoon”.Β  We didn’t have a store in Saskatoon, Saskatoon was a staff member’s pile.Β  We didn’t have stores in Yellowknife or Winnipeg either, but those labels threw customers off the scent.Β  They’d assume the stock was there for another store.

I liked this system, but the staff often preferred nicknames on the labels.Β  Some people liked their nicknames, some people didn’t.Β  There was a girl named Meredith — she really hated being caled Megadeth, for example (I assume that’s true of most Merediths out there).Β  I hated being called Cheeser — so named because I liked what other people refer to as “cheese metal” (although IΒ think Zakk Wylde would be happy to punch somebody in the face for calling his music cheese metal).

Later on, someone had all the piles named after Family Guy characters.Β  At the time, I’d never seen an episode in my life, and I didn’t know it was a bad thing that my nickname was Quagmire!Β  Joke was on me I guess!

Part 128: VIDEO BLOG – Mike & Aaron Go To Toronto! (now with Store Report Card!)

Join Mike and Aaron as they hunt for rare albums!

REPORT CARD

Sonic Boom, 782 Bathurst St – 5/5 stars

BMV, 471 Bloor Street West – 3.5/5 stars (Mike) 4/5 stars (Aaron)

Rotate This,Β 801 Queen St. W – 3/5 stars Β (no rating from Aaron)

Pauper’s Pub,Β Β 539 Bloor Street West – 3.5/5 stars

Paradise Bound, 270 August Ave – 4/5 stars * note I got the name wrong in the video

Moonbean,Β 30 Saint Andrew Street – 5/5 stars

Sonic Boom Kensington, 201 Augusta Ave – 4.5/5 stars

HMV, 333 Yonge Street – 1.5/5 stars

Sunrise, 220 Yonge Street, 1.5/5 starsΒ (no rating from Aaron)

Β 

See what Aaron bought by clicking here!

FINAL NOTE: Β I procured a the Japanese import from eBay a week later, October 27, for $41, free shipping.

Part 130: The Bargain Bin

RECORD STORE TALES PART 130: Β The Bargain Bin

The Bargain Bin was where we sold our overstock — discs we had three or more copies of — at $5.99 per disc. Β Which was cheap by 1996 prices. Β New discs went from $16.99 to $24.99 at the time.

I think it was Trev who made the sign for the Bargain Bin. Β Trevor was the resident sign-maker because he had some artisticΒ ability,Β where my boss couldn’t read my handwriting let alone my signs. Β It was originally called the “Bin O’ Bargains”. Β It was a big red sign, and it looked something like this:

Bin ‘O Bargains. Β But yet 90% of customers couldn’t read it. Β They would always say, “What’s in your Bin Bargains?”

“Bin Bargains”? Β That doesn’t even make sense!

The Bin O’ Bargains, as mentioned, was a hodgepodge of overstock. Β Any type of music was fair game, from Alan Jackson to Hammer to Lionel Richie to Hole to the Pumpkins. Β $5.99 each. Β We later lowered this, but at the start everything in there was basically the same price. Β We figured, that was simplest.

Simple to us, but not to everyone else. Β The Bin O’ Bargains created many questions and problems for both customers and staff! Β I mentioned that it was for stuff we had three or more copies of. Β That’s an oversimplification of things, but there were also things that we’d NEVER throw in the bargain bin. Β For example, if by some weird coincidence, we had four copies of a Queen album: Β Staff would think maybe, “OK, that’s plenty of copies, I’ll put this copy of The Miracle in the Bin.”

Nooooo! No no nononono!

Queen, Metallica, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Lightfoot, …doesn’t matter how many copies we have or what we paid for them. Β You never, ever, ever bargain bin bands like that. Β If we happened to have a bunch of used copies, that’s just pure chance!

You’d also never throw a greatest hits CD in there, because they were good sellers.

Err…except those cheapie greatest hits discs that you can get new at the grocery store for around $5.

Try teaching all that to a highschool kid who just wants to work at a record store to be cool. Β We ended up selling all kinds of stuff for $5.99, by mistake, instead of stockpiling it. Β  I remember once a kid handed me a copy of Metallica’s Black AlbumΒ that he found in the bin at $5.99. Β Lucky kid! Β That CD never should have been in there, since it was a regular easy sale at full price. Β (It doesn’t matter what you think of that album, it was huge, people wanted it all the time.)

So, there was that. Β There was always the confusing aspect that since our Bargain Bin was overstock, you’d find the same album on our regular shelves for $11.99. Β So people would logically ask:

“This copy is $5.99, and this copy is $11.99. Β Is that because one is scratched more?”

Oooh. Β Hated that question. Β It required a set response that both stated our quality policy (all discs are guaranteed and scratch free) and a quickΒ explanationΒ of overstock. Β People were often confused and who could blame them?

After you explained the Bin O’ Bargains to them, they’d hold up the $5.99 copy. Β “So…I should buy this one, right?”

Yes. Β Yes you should.

Since the bargain bin was a hodgepodge, we just threw stuff in there — nothing was alphabetized. Β Which caused us problems with lazy customers who didn’t want to flip through the treasures within.

“The other day you had Bryan Adams in here. Β Can you help me find him?”

ARGH! Β Why didn’t you buy him the other day? Β Yeah, I’ll help you find him. Β Flip flip flip. Β Flip flip flip. Β Flip flip flip. Β I could flip the whole bin in around 5-10 minutes, but still…tedious.

We did brisk business out of the bin. Β The markup was decent and we might have sold 20 out of there each day. Β Some people used it to take chances on new music, others to pick up long-ignored albums. Β It just boggled my mind how many people complained about such a great deal!

“I can’t search through this bin…it’s completely random! Β I’m not wasting my time.”

“Can you give me a deal if I buy 5?”

We also had this frequent buyer card like a buy-10-get-one-free type of card, but it specifically said, “Not applicable with any other special deals.” Β The Bin O’ Bargains was already a special deal, so we weren’t allowed to stamp the card with it. Β Which pissed people off. Β Which made me wonder, “What are you complaining about? Β You’re already getting a CD for a quarter of its regular price.”

When the Bin O’ Bargain was full to the brim, and sales were slow, we’d have a Bargain Bin sale. Β Something like buy two from the bin, get one free. Β We were still making money and stuff cleared out of there quickly. Β It was one good way to get rid of all those Lionel Richie Louder Than Words discs.

But don’t worry, the Bin would fill up again in short order. Β There were always people looking to get rid of their Lionel Richie.

Always.

Part 129: Moneytalks

RECORD STORE TALES PART 129: Β Moneytalks

Are you a young person working in the world of retail? Β Have you been offered a raise and a salary instead of hourly wages?

If you answered “yes” to both those questions, then sit right back and you’ll hear a tale.

I never much liked working Saturdays, for two reasons. Β One, it was the longest, busiest shift. Β Second, when I worked alone at least I picked the music. Β Saturdays we had two people on, because it was the busiest day. Β More often than not, I didn’t think much of the music the other people picked.

I mean, I hope it’s obvious by now — I’m a rocker! Β Unfortunately I didn’t work with many other rockers. Β On the other hand, they didn’t think much of my Journey discs. Β We actually later wrote it into the training manual — try not to knowingly pick music that your co-workers disliked! Β That narrowed the scope for me!

But as I said, Saturdays were our busiest days. Β Makes sense — kids are off school, a lot of other people have the day off — why not pick up tunes for the weekend?

One day, the boss called a staff meeting. Β He was giving us store managers a raise, and a salary. Β The only catch? Β We had to work one extra Saturday per month. Β  They decided (and logically so) that our best people needed to be working on our busiest days. Β Therefore managers must work a minimum of two Saturdays a month. Β Makes sense. Β Previously we were only working one Saturday per month, and I knew that it was a free ride of sorts. Β I wasn’t surprised when it ended, although it definitely meant less cottage time.

Later that week, T-Rev called me.

“Have you done the math on your new salary yet?”

“No,” I answered. Β “Why?”

“Well,” he explained, “Even though he called it a raise, when you account for the extra Saturday we’re working, we’re actually making less money per hour now.”

“No shit,” I answered. Β “That sucks.” Β Once we were on salary, we couldn’t go back.

Salaries came with all sorts of interesting loopholes. Β For example, as managers if we couldn’t get someone to work a shift and we were short people, it usually fell on us to work the hours. Β Now, we weren’t getting paid extra to do it anymore. Β Another new duty that came with the salary was stock transfers: Β Driving stock around town to another store in rush-hour traffic. Β The gas in your tank and miles on your car? Β “That’s all a part of your salary”.

Not to mention all the extra hours I started to do inΒ training dutyΒ  and putting out fires, and theΒ aforementionedΒ twice-weekly stock deliveries. Β I did the math one time — you don’t wanna know how much more money I would have made on my old hourly wage! Β Enough to buy several of those new Iron Maiden picture disc sets!

So, young grasshoppers: Β if you too find yourselves pinned on the horns of a dilemma like this, think hard on your options!