No more record stores? : (

Since we've been on a music biz/physical media kick lately, I thought I'd direct your attention to this cheesy/predictable documentary I Need That Record** about the demise of record stores. It takes the standard tack of 'record stores saved my life', 'it's all about the community maaan', which at least from this record-addict's perspective, is a load of B.S. Most record stores went out of business because most record stores suck, plain & simple. They make you drive out of your way to crawl on some filthy floor, digging through a box to find some overpriced, shopworn 7-inch that's not what you really want because they don't have what you came for, while some totally jaded, glazed-eye clerk stares off into indiespace if you're naive enough to ask him for a 'recommendation', or you try to put in a special order for something and they're all "idk, bro. it might take like, 14 weeks for it to come in. we'll call you." 'Community' is also much overused term; who in their right mind would want to hang out at a store like I just described?

The best store I've ever been to, Camp Zama records in Norfolk, VA, within walking distance of my parents house, never had a single customer in it while I was there. Go figure. Usually though, good record stores like Amoeba in LA and the amazing collectors shops in SoHo are doing well, even in the face of probably-sky-high rents. As long as records/cds/whatever sound better than mp3s there will be record stores. If you're opening one, just follow this simple business strategy: stock plenty of cool, rare shit, sell online, hire just one helpful employee, don't waste people's time, and you'll do fine. The only store in the area currently following this model is All Day Records in Carrboro. Visit them. To all the half-ass shops who think they deserve to be in business b/c ppl just ♥ physical formats, hope ya'll have a sweet liquidation sale.

**the film does feature some cool bits, like Ian Mackaye alleging that he's never heard a Guns N' Roses song!