Hot Poop Celebrates Record Store Day

Audiophiles rejoice, discount vinyl abounds

WALLA WALLA-Hot Poop will join forces and lock tonearms in solidarity with independent record stores and worldwide music fans in celebrating the twelfth annual International Record Store Day this Sat., April 13 with an in-store performance by Diego and The Detonators at 2 p.m.

Diego Romero studied music at McLoughlin High School in Milton-Freewater, Ore. and is a star graduate of the Walla Walla Symphony Free Rock Camp program. He provides vocals and lead guitar for the blues rock band.

The Detonators are drummer Mike Hammond and seasoned bass player Walt Ponti. Occasionally, the band brings in a horn, also played by Romero.

The event is free for all ages and music lovers will find discounts on limited edition albums from both independent and major record labels and various promotional products made exclusively for the day. Festivities include a performance and a meet & greet with the artists.

According to Hot Poop Assistant Manager Pat Mcilvaine, the once-final vinyl format has been respectfully resurrected and just might sail on to become the sonic savior of the music industry.

Record Store Day "has encouraged a lot of newer and older artists to start releasing more vinyl, not just CDs and streaming. People who are streaming and not using CDs," continues Mcilvaine, "are missing, besides the artwork, are missing out on the other fifteen songs, creating one-hit wonders of artists who you may or may not ever hear from again."

Record Store Day was conceived of in 2007 as a day for the people who make up the world of the record store-the staff, the customers, and the artists-to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently-owned shops play in their communities.

For over thirty years, Hot Poop has proudly carried on the spirit of independent music. What began with an inventory of a few albums, 8-tracks and tie-dyed shirts has expanded to include both car and home audio equipment, televisions, DVD players, and stereos as well as the musical instruments, cards, collectibles, and custom art.

Not only are new artists creating new vinyl, older, more established artists are getting their masters back as their big-label contracts are ending. Record Store Day provides an outlet to fans who can hear all-new renditions and reworkings of classic hits.

"Years ago, they made music, and somebody edited it. Now they can remake and re-release it the way they wanted to make in the first place," Mcilvaine said. "They're the ones that lead the way on vinyl because analog vinyl sounds a lot better than even a CD which is subject to compression. But if you're only going to listen on an mp3 or mp4, who cares? They just missed forty percent of the sound of the music right there."

Audiophiles around the world can prepare for the highest quality sound in live performances in an intimate setting.

On the first Record Store Day, April 19, 2008, Metallica spent hours at Rasputin Music in San Francisco meeting their fans and now, each year, hundreds of artists, internationally famous and from the block, flock to record stores around the world for performances, signings, and to fill their own shopping bags with music.

While there's only one Record Store Day each year, the organization works with both independent and major labels to create contests, special releases and promotions in order to spotlight the benefits of supporting these independent, locally-owned stores like Hot Poop with purchases throughout the year.

The Record Store Day organization is currently managed by Michael Kurtz and Carrie Colliton, in coordination with Michael Bunnell and Eric Levin. Folks wanting to contact Record Store Day are encouraged to email information@recordstoreday.com.