Record Store Day '08

In an effort to battle big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy, a group of record store alliances have come together to sponsor smaller, independent retailers with an event creatively called "Record Store Day," happening Saturday, April 19. The Alliance Of Independent Media Stores, Coalition Of Independent Music Stores, Music Monitor Network, Newbury Comics, and Value Music Group Of Indie Stores have banded together to push shopping at 300 smaller record shops across the United States and United Kingdom. Numerous artists have jumped on board for the cause, including Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Wayne Coyne (of the Flaming Lips), and Patterson Hood (of the Drive By Truckers).

Many bands are participating by performing special in-stores while other participating stores (a complete list of which can be found here) are having sales to promote the event. We've always been supporters of the little guys and have frequented great independent record stores in Chicago and all over the country. A ton of great records have been released recently by both national and local acts, and with the warmer weather, it's a great time to get out pick a few records up.

By Marcus Gilmer