INTERVIEW: Record Riots

All those interviewed for this were presented with three simple questions. Here are their thoughts.

With the motto “we dig vinyl too,” the Albany RECORD RIOTS took place at the Polish Community Center November 10. I have now attended this event as a collector, a DJ and now as a journalist. And each time, I’ve learned something new and found something interesting.

A chat with the promoter, Stephen Gritzan, revealed that it’s been a happening since the 1980s. However, the resurgence of vinyl records has expanded the phenomenon since he took over in 2008. A former record store owner from Jersey City, he began these shows in Brooklyn. He now runs 20 shows in eight states under the RECORD RIOTS banner.

He attributes the resurgence to people’s simple attraction to music and the unique sound that vinyl records provide.

Stephen’s Record Recommendation: The Who, “Who’s Next”

Timmy B., a teacher at SUNY Plattsburgh, who has been a dealer for over three years, concurs. He relates that vinyl sound quality is not matched by their digital counterparts, which he dislikes. He adds that records make him actively listen to music. Albums are played in their entirety, the way artists intended them to be.

Timmy’s Record Recommendation: Refused, “The Shape of Punk to Come”

Meanwhile, Tom Konopka, who travels from the Rochester area, has been dealing vinyl for about 40 years.  Tom finds the tangible aspect of the record album irreplaceable. While storage space is an issue for some collectors, the experience and joy of opening, handling and perusing a record from cover to sleeve is worth it. It’s the closest many may ever get to “seeing” the artists in person.

Tom’s Record Recommendation: Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue”

Hailing from nearby Saratoga Springs, Jim Favaloro spent seven years running a record shop. A professional gardener by trade, he’s done this as a side gig for 11 years. He still enjoys three to five shows a year and maintains a mail order and Facebook presence. These shows allow him to talk music while meeting the needs of fellow collectors.

Jim’s Record Recommendation: Anything by the Beatles

The art of music is not just sound alone, as we found out speaking with John Cahill. The Little Falls, NY resident creates his own album covers, framed art, and even builds dioramas.  Although technically retired, John just took up making more artwork relating to music. He attributes the pull of vinyl collecting to a New York Times quote of  “missing the crackle.” That sound that vintage records make when they contact the stylus of a turntable. He firmly believes that soon new technology will allow 45 rpm records to be played in a new format other than jukeboxes. “Kids have everything at their fingertips. This will not be different.”

The $30 Walmart record can be purchased at these shows for maybe $10 or less. In John’s opinion, the quality in the original analog recording is superior in listening to digital recordings. Digital is the current format used in the industry today.

Cahill digests all sort of music information, from the posters and inserts of 1950s teen idol records, to Murray Lerner interviews from the early Isle of Wight concerts (available on DVD).

John’s Record Recommendation: Bob Dylan

The commonality of these people is music. Past, present and future. I witnessed this as there were 20-something diggers to my right and some old timers searching bins to my left.

The upcoming RECORD RIOT show is one of their biggest and most well attended.  It will take place in Albany on Sunday, January 26 at the Polish Community Center. Mark your calendars.