The retail holiday that drives scores of music enthusiasts to independently-owned record stores nationwide returns with a whole new batch of limited vinyl releases. The Bay area’s five biggie indies each throw down a days worth of events and storewide sales to mark the occasion. While none know exactly what they’ll be getting until just before the Sat., April 18 sale, the most sought-after titles will likely be available if you get arrive early enough. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in store:
Bananas In addition to select RSD releases, Bananas presents tunes by The Vultures, Mike Blenda with Gwan Hi-Fi and Whitey Alabastard from 9:30 to 5 p.m., and offers up free local craft brews (while supplies last) and food by Maui Mama; Extra Medium screen prints event shirts on the premises throughout the day. Doors open at 9 a.m. 2887 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-327-4616.
Daddy Kool The downtown shop has its own official regional RSD release this year – You Can’t Judge A Book 7” by Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, each one signed by the Rev. himself – and stages a full-scale party to commemorate the occasion with a specially-scheduled St. Pete Indie Market set up on the 600 Block and the Base Inc. Music crew spinning live jams on the sidewalk. Doors at 8 a.m. 666 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-5665.
Mojo Books & Records Mojo placed an RSD order for pretty much every title the store could hold and has pulled hundreds of rare and collectable albums from its warehouse to pair with all the fresh vinyl, so there’s no telling what you’ll find in addition to BOGO sales, free PBR and live music throughout the day by, among others, Poster, Stoned Ape, Soapbox Soliloquy, Empire Cinema, DieAlps!, Nude Tayne and Rahim Samad. Doors at 8 a.m. 2540 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-971-9717.
Microgroove New Granada Records is issuing a very limited Record Store Day run of Candy Bars’ revered 2006 LP, On Cutting Ti-gers In Half And Understanding Narravation, on clear handcut vinyl. (Find out more about that HERE and listen to a few tracks, too.) Only 20 copies will be available, and only at Microgroove, which also offers nitro-tapped coffee from Communite + Co., live music starting at noon by Florida Night Heat, DieAlps!, Talk Nice, egos and Gullwing, and beer from PBR. Doors at 9 a.m. 4906 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-667-7089.
Planet Retro For this RSD blow-out, Planet Retro marks down select used vinyl, offers up free beer, and hosts live sets by Y Los Dos Pistoles, Tidal Wave, Moon Flag, Lonly Monster, Dave Decker and Jeff Brawer. Doors at 8 a.m. 2414 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-218-7434.
