Milwaukee Record Store Crawl 2011

[@EoLoVoX]

@stephievon - You're welcome. Thanks for watching! That first store was indeed packed with a little bit of everything.

[@EoLoVoX]

@stephievon - It was a fun day and we all found some great music. I hope you do record a trip to that store in Pasadena you mentioned. It can feel a little awkward, walking into a store holding up a camera, but I like to document trips to record stores this way. Who knows how long these establishments will be around?

[@EoLoVoX]

@bikebeerrun1960 - It looks like it would be a great place to shop for guitars, with that whole wall of them that they had. I'm not a musician but, as you can see in the video, I was still attracted to all that. Thanks for watching!

[@EoLoVoX]

@TheStokes79 - I noticed that, too. The back wall was basically a giant bulls-eye with a clock at the center, but it was kind of strange that there was nothing on the walls. Apparently, he's been in that location for 5-6 years. In his old store (the Farwell Music that I've mentioned in other comments here) he had posters and mini-shelves displaying album covers all over the walls. Who knows!

[@EoLoVoX]

@cosmicrider287 - Thank you, Henry, and thanks for watching!

[@EoLoVoX]

Sounds good. We haven't made our summer travel / visiting plans yet, but there is a possibility that we would be in Ann Arbor around 7/15.

[@EoLoVoX]

Thanks Fredrik! Sorry to hear that the record stores aren't as good where you live. Sometimes I take it for granted when, really, I suppose we're kind of spoiled. The hunting is just as good in nearby Chicago, too. Come visit some time and I'll show you!

[@EoLoVoX]

Thanks! I'll have to check out Acme the next time I'm in Milwaukee. I love digging for records there. Bullseye, in particular, has become one of my favorite record stores anywhere. I remember when Luke ran the old Farwell Records and loved it there, too. I just don't go to Milwaukee as often as I would like. You're lucky that you live there!

[@hanke414630]

Being a Milwaukee native, it was cool to see you visit Bullseye, Exclusive and Rush-Mor. Atomic Records was fantastic as well until it closed several years ago. A new one, Acme, just opened up in Bay View (same neighborhood as Rush-Mor). Find them on Facebook!

[@EoLoVoX]

@thetcha70 - I often go solo, for those very reasons, but these guys can certainly hold their own with me in record stores. If you noticed, though, they were buying CDs, so we have to seek out places that have healthy selections of both CDs and vinyl to keep us all busy. Good to hear from you, Robert!

[@hanke414630]

You won't believe it, but a shop opened up around the corner from Bullseye. I guess it opened in April 2011? No idea it existed until today. Looks like they sell locally-made jewelry, etc. as well. I saw a little promo video where the owner says "Mention this video and I'll give you 20% off any records in the store." Can't beat that! Now it's just ANOTHER place I have to check out on my Bucks game trip this week!

[@beano1eye]

I noticed you flicked back to The Selecter Too Much Pressure, that's a fantastic album, it's sounds as good now as it did back then!

[@EoLoVoX]

@RecordsPT - Thanks! I've got another store video coming soon. This one's from a place that has entire rooms that are wall-to-wall full of records. Stay tuned!

[@EoLoVoX]

@bihitasu - That may be true, but I've never been to Japan or Austrailia, so there a quite a few things that I'm missing too. (I have always wanted to visit Austrailia. Don't know if I'm ever going to make that happen.) Thanks for watching!

[@EoLoVoX]

Thank you! The whole save-up-and-make-a-day-of-it is usually the way we do it, too. I'm over an hour away from the city so, when I/we go, we try to hit several shops and a good brewpub or restaurant for sustenance. Milwaukee is a great city, though, with a lot to offer on both fronts.

[@hanke414630]

Yeah, I lived in Milwaukee until I was 27; Moved down to Batavia IL for a band, and I'm 33 now. Still go back and forth. There are a few record stores near me in the western Chicago suburbs, and I've become friendly with the owners, though some of their pricing is tough to get behind. I find Chicago stores actually more affordable.

[@goodwi11]

Grant Green 'Live at the Lighthouse' coming up on the left at 3:05. You don't see that one everyday! One of my favorites. I like these 'on location' vids because you get to see what you're missing out on at shops in other states. Should you ever find yourself in the metro-Detroit area, there are definitely enough good shops to make a crawl out of.

[@boomer3150]

Even now?

[@EoLoVoX]

@Paneeks1960 - Hi Rob. The first place (Record Head) resealed some of their vinyl. Kind of strange for used vinyl, but I suppose it was to protect the covers. I asked about the condition of one record and they just sliced it right open for me. That really was a neat store with all the musical instruments along with the recorded music. They seemed to have a little of everything. Interesting that Rushmor appealed to you. The layout was fine but it was my least favorite store in terms of stock.

[@EoLoVoX]

I hope we can do that some day, Brian. I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but my wife's family is in Ann Arbor. Our schedule is often quite full when we visit them, but who knows? Maybe I can sneak away during some visit and we can hook up for a Detroit Record Store Crawl. That would be fun!

[@EoLoVoX]

@tangkad99 - I was tempted to pick that one up. I really like Modern English. I have 'After the Snow' and 'Ricochet Days,' plus a couple 12" singles. Did I make a mistake by not grabbing that one?

[@EoLoVoX]

I was a pretty big Talk Talk fan during their new romantic / synth-pop beginnings, but came to really love the journey they took their fans on over the course of five albums. By the time we get to The Colour Of Spring, the transition is fully audible. Then the hiatus, then the release of Spirit of Eden which truly broke new musical ground. Freakin' brilliant band! You've heard Mark Hollis' solo record, right?

[@EoLoVoX]

@skateordiemyass - Thanks! It's James, right? For the record, I'm Rob. No harm, no foul, it's just that we already have at least three Jeffs in the VC!

[@EoLoVoX]

@Lazerrus - I did indeed, Duane! I'll show the stuff that I picked up on this trip in an upcoming video. It's good to hear from you.

[@EoLoVoX]

@wertsdb71 - Please do! One of the main reasons I do these store trips is because I love seeing inside other record stores, and figure other folks in the VC might feel the same.

[@EoLoVoX]

@mrhoffame - Many moons ago, I used to occasionally shop at a place called Farwell Music in downtown Milwaukee. (I live over an hour away from Milwaukee.) Farwell was owned by a guy named Luke, and it turns out that he moved his store and renamed it to Bullseye. It was great to see him again. He is definitely no slouch when it comes to bringing good vinyl into his store! I don't know of that other place. Do you remember the name?

[@EoLoVoX]

Greetings right back! I actually live in the Rockford area, but that allows me to make trips like this up to Milwaukee and Madison somewhat frequently. I noticed your profile picture. I'm a big Talk Talk fan myself. Nice to "meet" you!

[@EoLoVoX]

My favorite record store in Milwaukee, for sure.

[@EoLoVoX]

@stewie100 - I'll never complain about more vinyl in a store, although all but the last one gave me plenty to sift through. I could have spent 3-4 hours in Bullseye and still not have looked through all their vinyl. Since my friends were more interested in CDs, these places worked out great for us.

[@EoLoVoX]

@jokertt14 - I thought the selection at the first one was a little weak but I still found some stuff that I wanted at pretty good prices. The second and third stores had pretty healthy vinyl sections, at least for around here. The last one was only expensive new vinyl. I didn't buy anything at the last store.

[@EoLoVoX]

@mfloxy - My problem there is that I don't live in Wisconsin. I'm about 1:15-1:30 away from both Madison and Milwaukee, although I know there's also an Exclusive Co. in Janesville. I'm simply not around the stores often enough to know about their sales. Some friends and I just pick a convenient day to go up and keep our fingers crossed that we might find some decent deals when we do. We're getting pretty discouraged by several things at the various Exclusive locations.

[@bikebeerrun1960]

Great vid! I used to go to that Record Head store back in the day. Mostly guitar shopping.

[@EoLoVoX]

I've explored a few good stores in Ann Arbor. In fact, a photo that I took inside Encore Records was published in a recent Rolling Stone article on the 25 best records stores in America! I'm familiar with Weber's, too, although I didn't know that they had record shows there. Do you have any idea what their schedule is?

[@EoLoVoX]

@vinylmaniac - I'll definitely check that out. Sly & Robbie are at the core of so many good reggae bands, so I'd love to hear how they sounded when they first got together. Thanks for the tip!

[@Balistic82]

This video was awesome...This is a great way to spend a Saturday or an day off of work. I wish I had multiple stores like these where I'm from. Milwaukee is great...I have to save up to take a trip just to record dig..GREAT VID!!!

[@EoLoVoX]

It's a great place to dig for records. I've even recently discovered a couple places I didn't know were there before.

[@goodwi11]

Just read that article online and sure enough, there's your photo credit at the bottom. Nice work! That place is great because it's more like an old college library than a music store. The next Webers record show is 7/15. Then after that it's 10/14. Last time I went I got a mint Japanese press of David Bowie 'Low' for 7 bucks if that gives you any sort of barometer for how good it can be.

[@2bin]

Great video! Love the record flips! Had no idea Milwaukee record scene was so vibrant.

[@boomer3150]

Reminds me of Hegewisch Records...Cal City I think, IL.

[@EoLoVoX]

@ilovelinus - Well... yes and no. That particular store was resealing their used albums with cellophane instead of buying plastic outer sleeves. So, technically, they were sealed, but they were also used albums. I asked about the condition of a couple of them and they just ripped them right open. It was weird.

[@Lazerrus]

Nice one Rob! Please tell me you grabbed some of that Reggae. I saw some nice pieces in there. Cheers my friend....

[@EoLoVoX]

@EngelNr666 - Yeah, I think we're heading up there again this weekend!

[@EoLoVoX]

@bennyuk25 - Thanks Ben! Some record shops here are better than others but, yeah, we've got some good ones. You've got to have at least a few good ones in the UK though, right?

[@EoLoVoX]

Good luck at Record Head, Jim! Good luck on the entire dig, actually. I wish I could come up there and dig with you but, being mid-week, I wouldn't be able to swing it. I love the idea that I may have turned you on to a record store in your home town. I won't claim that they have the best selection around, but I bet you'll find a couple things you want there. Enjoy your trip!

[@EoLoVoX]

@babylonseeker - I've been planning to show some of my reggae records in what feels like forever. I picked up several more at Bullseye on this trip so, hopefully, that will motivate me to move that idea closer to the front of the queue. I'd love to check out your reggae collection!

[@EoLoVoX]

Haha! I know what you mean about the records at the back of the store. The records were definitely not at the "Head" of the store, were they. Perhaps they named the store Record Head because the records were back by the "head" (restrooms)! The reactions to store bin flip-throughs always inspire comments about what I should have picked up. I love it! I do have a lot of Manfred Mann already. You're probably quite right about at least the Ian Matthews, though. If only we could just buy it all!

[@SupraWes]

Thanks Rob, now I know where to go when I am there in a few months.

[@DoctorDeadwax]

that second shop had some nice looking Seger LPs, Noah and Smokin' OPs. I wonder if they were original or represses. That third shop does the thing I hate most, mixes new and used vinyl in the same bins. There are some stores around here that do that and I rarely ever visit them because of it. ...so what'd ya get???

[@hanke414630]

I would give you my take on Off the Beaten Path, but they were closed when I tried to go Wednesday! I had the right hours, so who knows. Found plenty of good stuff elsewhere. :)

[@EoLoVoX]

@727JeffN - I already have a copy of Smokin' OPs, but I probably should have picked up the Mongrel LP. I already had quite a bit in my hands by that time so I was being super picky.

[@EoLoVoX]

@mfloxy - Definitely agree with you on those. Bullseye was probably my favorite of the four stores here. I could have easily spent 3-4 hours in there and still not have looked through all the vinyl. Do you remember when Bullseye Records was Farwell Music? Luke's vinyl stock was always top notch, even back then. I wondered what happened to him and Farwell Music, but I'm glad I found them again. I'll definitely be back! More on what I bought when I get a chance to do another video...

[@dereckvon]

I saw that copy of Sameti, rare! I also noticed a Section 25 'From the Hip' in there. Do you know that band? I think you'd like that album. Several good jazz titles there too. Looks like you had a good dig!

[@mrhoffame]

Great tour. I have been to that second store Bullseye. It was a small store but had an INCREDIBLE selection of new vinyl. Did you guys hit that small store downtown near the lake. Kind of in a basement?

[@EoLoVoX]

@bikebeerrun1960 - Could be... Where is Atomic located? Are you near Milwaukee?

[@Paneeks1960]

Hi Rob, love these record store videos. Did they reseal all of their used vinyl? Some beautiful looking acoustic guitars on that wall. 3:32, I still need a copy of Harder The Come. I love to see all of these stores that you went to carrying records. A few of the music stores near me in Boston do not sell vinyl. The sell all CD's and nothing else. I think I liked Rushmore Records the best. I like how they had the store designed. I want to see in your next post what you got. Thanks Rob~ TOR/Boston

[@vinylated]

So did you get me anything??? ;) Great video Rob, gives us a quick insight on certain stores that some of us don't have a chance to reach. Always a great watch! - James

[@EoLoVoX]

@TheHeavymetalpenguin - Man, that sucks that you don't have decent record stores near you. I do the antique store crate digging, too, but I depend on record stores like these to find the stuff I can't find anywhere else. I can't imagine not having them anywhere near you. (For the record, these stores are all over an hour away from my house.) How far is ti from you to the nearest big city?

[@DiscoMikaSweden]

Well, The Revolutionaries play dub reggae. This album was released 1978 and the band leaders were Sly & Robbie. This also was the first band they played together.. Go google "The Revolutionaries - Atom Bomb". It's the second track of the album above and it's more or less this kind of music you'll find'em play. Cheers!

[@EoLoVoX]

@anderzom - One of the guys that I went up with isn't into vinyl, so he's shopping for CDs. To be honest, though, there's usually enough vinyl to look through that I don't have much time to look through the CDs.

[@EoLoVoX]

@vinylmaniac - It was a good day! I came out of Bullseye with a bunch of reggae records but not Reaction in Dub. To be honest, I don't know much about that one. Tell me more!

[@hanke414630]

I know I'm commenting on an old video, but it relates!: I'll be going up to Milwaukee mid-next week for a Bucks game, and hope to hit Acme and Bullseye, but also Record Head, which I never went to during my 27 years in Milwaukee. Even if I don't find anything at Record Head, I just can't live with there being a record store in my hometown that I HAVEN'T gone to. :)

[@EoLoVoX]

@SupraWes - What kind of time will you have when you're in Milwaukee, Wes? Maybe we could meet for a record store and a beer or two. Let me know if you're interested and have that kind of time.

[@hanke414630]

Yeah, I will try to do so! I am shocked about the "this isn't for sale" response you got. As poor as their pricing is, I am blown away by that type of rudeness. Don't feel bad about coming down on them, or offending me! I've had LONG conversations with my wife about how torn I feel: They're a local business and good guys with their heart in the right place, but I'd change SO MUCH about them if I magically ran the place. Trust me, I feel you and I could talk for hours about them. :)

[@EoLoVoX]

@LegionsofTheUndead - Definitely a cool looking picture disc.

[@BeatStylist]

Cool stuff. So.............. did you pick up that Selector record???

[@bennyuk25]

WOW I wish i live in the usa sum time you guys records shop look very very good nice vid thanks Ben

[@PAULLONDEN]

I like reggae too......especially 70's roots.......

[@EoLoVoX]

Good eye on both of those records. I think the This Mortal Coil album was a reissue. Aren't prices on some of these reissues ridiculous? You can easily spend $100 on just three or four records these days!

[@EoLoVoX]

@DoctorDeadwax - What I got will have to wait for another video. Right now I'm too tired to do anything more than edit the clips I had and post this as it. I got some good stuff, though! More on that later. Not sure about those Seger albums, although Luke (at the second store) has a keen eye for good records. I couldn't agree with you more about mixing new and used vinyl. I absolutely hate that. The Exclusive is a Wisconsin chain and all their stores do that. They're overpriced, too. Grrr!

[@EoLoVoX]

@bikebeerrun1960 - For some reason, I got the impression that Mr. H was talking about some place that existed there more recently. Now it's a real mystery!

[@EoLoVoX]

I have never really explored Robin Trower. I always hear very positive things about him, though. I should check him out!

[@DorianPaige00]

Nice motto: Traveling 33 1/3 RPM in an ipod world. I've dealt with record head through the years on Amazon. Product was always graded well and in stock. For some reason, I didn't think it was a physical store but a collector. There's still some nice specialty stores in and near the larger cities but it's not like it once was.

[@EoLoVoX]

Hi Autumn. I actually didn't know that Record Head dealt online, although it makes sense that they would. I like going there, and I have found some great records there, but I won't say it's my favorite store in the Milwaukee area. There just isn't enough vinyl and too many other things for my liking. Thanks for watching, commenting, and the kind words about my motto!

[@goodwi11]

Ann Arbor has a handful of pretty great record stores too. There's a hotel called Weber's Inn that has a sweet record show about 4 times a year. You should accidentally on purpose schedule some in-law time around one of those. Ha!

[@EoLoVoX]

I thought you folks were more of a musical instrument / lessons kind of place. Do you sell new or used vinyl too?

[@EoLoVoX]

@dereckvon - I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I don't know either of those bands. I'm not surprised that there was some rare stuff at Bullseye because the owner really knows his music. Regardless of the specifics, when I was watching some of my bin flip-throughs while editing the video, I kept seeing all these things that I should have picked up but didn't. If only Milwaukee was just a little bit closer to where I live!

[@bikebeerrun1960]

@EoLoVoX Atomic closed in 2009. I am about midway between Milwaukee and Madison.

[@EoLoVoX]

Both Bullseye and The Exclusive Company would be good spots for that. Exclusive if you're looking for the more well-known, Bullseye if you're looking for the more obscure.

[@powrxplor69]

Great record stores, you're lucky to have access to that many good stores! And at 7:37 It'll End in Tears by This Mortal Coil...amazing album, but are they really asking $27.99 for it? Yikes...Lots of cool stuff, saw something that looked like a Smiths bootleg on there too ...Awesome

[@EoLoVoX]

Is it called "Off the Beaten Path"? If so, don't get your hopes up too high for that one. I'll send you a private message with more detail.

[@michaeljackson1520]

Do hey have Michael Jackson or the Jackson 5 records or CDs ?

[@EoLoVoX]

@skateordiemyass - I know of only one other. I'm pretty sure that vinylated is also James.

[@EoLoVoX]

I hear you! I'm not super close to these places but, whenever I do one of these record store crawls, it sure gets expensive. Are you in the US?

[@EoLoVoX]

They may have had some. To be honest, since I wasn't looking for them, I didn't notice. I take it you're a MJ fan. Have you just started collecting or do you already have quite a bit by him?

[@TheSawfan101]

6:55 LCD Soundsystem at the bottom right.

[@punktexas]

It was like watching one of my own videos...lol...love it...thumbs up.

[@EoLoVoX]

I honestly can't remember now. It was several years ago. They had all this stuff that wasn't priced and a sign that said to bring what you want to the counter. I get immediately suspicious of a store that's going to price something after they know I want it. Anyway, I brought a few unpriced records up to the counter, and the guy lifted up the first one and said, "oh, sorry, this isn't for sale." I was already so disgusted with the other pricing in there that I just left. I mean really, WTF?

[@hanke414630]

Yep, all the Reckless locations have been great for me. It helps that you can search their inventory online, even if it's off base a little. With three locations, it widens your chances. And wow, funny you mention Kiss the Sky! They're 3 blocks away form me and truth be told, I know the owners well and ran their Twitter account for a bit (for a discount!). But yes, even as friends of theirs, I can COMPLETELY agree w/ you on their pricing. It's almost embarrassing. What wouldn't they sell to you?

[@TheOompahRoundabout]

Some great record shops there.

[@DiscoMikaSweden]

I Can't believe you didn't pick the Reaction in Dub record in the second store! Maybe you already got it? :-) Good day you guys had!

[@marcelogonzalez3096]

Los de Rocknroll y Heavy Metal y no hay mas ,por algo son los mas buscados.

[@EoLoVoX]

@shawn0612 - Yes I did!

[@EoLoVoX]

@punktexas - You, sir, have definitely been the main inspiration for my road trip / store videos. Seriously.

[@EoLoVoX]

@mfloxy - The last time I went to Kiss The Sky in Geneva IL the prices were set like that. It's like the owners of stores like that think everything they have is gold, just because it's vinyl. I saw all sorts of mediocre titles for ridiculously high prices, and eventually walked out of the store without buying anything. It's rare for me to not buy ANYthing at a record store. In a day and age where record stores are dropping like flies, those people need to come back to reality.

[@EoLoVoX]

If you like Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, you'll like Hollis' solo record too.

[@EoLoVoX]

I took that baby home with me! You're so right about it, too.

[@THATGUYKEEGS]

Bullseye records looks really cool.

[@bennyuk25]

@EoLoVoX sum but you have to go to london or up north so where i live no we have 1 records shop and i think i got more records than them Lol

[@superpelic]

I wished i lived there..we don't have shops like that here..now that said..it saves me from going broke....lol

[@EoLoVoX]

I agree.

[@EoLoVoX]

Good eye!

[@bikebeerrun1960]

@EoLoVoX Maybe "Atomic Records".

[@EoLoVoX]

@vinylated - Sorry, James, but you must have forgotten to send me your wish list! ;-)