Record Store Day 2017 reigned supreme over the weekend, with vinyl lovers around the world converging on their local stores to celebrate their beloved format. This year we saw the event hit its 10th year running and some super special releases, including exclusives from Pink Floyd, The War on Drugs and The Smiths, amongst many many others. Overall the day was yet another a milestone in the vinyl resurgence that continues to barrel on through. Here are a few things that caught our eye from RSD 2017.
From The Smiths trashing trump to an Aussie politician spinning Polish Club live on TV, check out a few things that our eye on Record Store Day 2017.
The Smiths’ Anti-Trump Inscription
The Smiths’ Record Store Day release featured a not so hidden anti-Trump message. Those that managed to grab a copy of the exclusive, limited edition 7-inch on Saturday discovered that it has the words “TRUMP WILL KILL AMERICA” etched on its run-out groove. Hectic. Check it out.
The War on Drugs Release Epic 11 Minute Track
A new track from The War on Drugs was one of the most exciting special releases to come out this Record Store Day. If you didn’t manage to get your hands on the two part vinyl package, no worries, the track was released digitally on the day too. As we’ve come to expect from TWOD, it’s a sprawling, spacious jam. Listen below:
Ridiculously Inflated eBay Prices For 2017 Releases
For some people, Record Store Day is a chance to buy rare vinyl and flog it on eBay right away for insanely inflated prices. This year was no exception.
As Exclaim Canada reports, some of the exclusive that are already fetching absurd amounts of money include; Bowie’s single-sided Bowpromo release, which is going for up to $230AUD; Bowie’s Cracked Actor live album, which is going for over $320AUD for the whole set; Prince’s 7-inch picture single featuring Little Red Corvette and 1999, which is currently going for over $80; and Toto’s limited Africa-shaped Africa single release, which is fetching $125AUD….you get the picture. C’mon people.
Pink Floyd’s Exclusive Was Actually Released in 1968
This year were particularly psyched about a rare recording from Pink Floyd listed as a previously unreleased 14:57 minute early mono version of Interstellar Overdrive, pressed on 12-inch vinyl. Although technically the track was never released, apparently it was the very same that featured on a 15-minute documentary form 1968 by filmmaker and a friend of Syd Barrett’s, Anthony Stern. Read about it here. Listen below:
Former Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Spins Polish Club
Im the lead up the RSD 2017, Sydney boys Polish Club sent former deputy Prime Minister, current Federal member for Grayndler, and ambassador for Record Store Day 2017, Anthony Albanese a copy of their new record accompanied by a note saying:
“You call yourself an Ambassador for records do ya? Haven’t heard you talk about the greatest rock album of 2017 yet. Turn it up mate! Love, Polish Club.”
Appearing on morning show Studio 10 on Saturday, Albanese actually gave their tune Beat Up a spin live on air. Good shit.
Record Store Day 2017 Illustrated
To celebrate Record Store Day 2017, the legends at It’s Nice That sent illustrator John Molesworth on a journey around London’s record stores to capture the vibe of the day. See the rad collection below and here.