My kind of holiday...

Happy Record Store Day!
Today is the 2nd annual celebration of independent record stores. This pseudo holiday was started last year in Portland, ME and now over 1,000 record stores are celebrating! Acts such as Erykah Badu and Franz Ferdinand will be playing in-store sets in their hometown stores. For you Chicagoans, The Lawrence Arms are playing at one of the Reckless stores! I'm not sure which one, though. I know Music Saves and Blue Arrow (?) are holding some festivities in Cleveland, and Used Kids and Lost Weekend Records are partying down in Columbus, as well. As for Toledo, it's going to be a good day for sure:


Rama Lama is handing out goodies and freebies, plus Rob will offer a traditional Japanese bow if you buy stuff from his store.
3151 W Central Ave
Rama Lama Records


Culture Clash is giving away a bunch of free stuff, offering limited releases, and there will be performances by DJ Dangus, The Falling Spikes, Potentials w/ Steve A, and RAVEN.
4020 Secor Rd
Culture Clash Records


Shakin Street is offering free food, and if you say "Sammy Hagar Rules" you get 15% off your purchase. There will be acoustic in stores by Extra!Extra!, Ian from Sinker, and The Infernal Names.
1503 Adams St
Shakin Street Records

Support your local record store!

I am a firm believer in retail therapy. Is that all too consumerist of me? Possibly. But nothing will bring my spirits up like a visit to Rama Lama. It's funny how obtaining new music will have that effect on me. Not to mention that Rob is extremely accommodating to whatever my taste might be that day; "I want something old that feels like home", "I want something spazzy", "do you have this?". He's never let me down and I've yet to find a better vinyl selection that suits my tastes here in Toledo. Plus, if it's not in the store he's been able to find it for me. Recent additions to my collection were: "Worldwide" by thedeathset, "Spiderland" by Slint, "This Is Our Punk Rock" by A Silver Mt. Zion, and "Kind Of Blue" by Miles Davis. Stop in, and don't leave without an awesome Rama Lama t-shirt... I've been seeing them all over town!

Rama Lama Records
3151 W Central Ave
Mon-Sat: 11am to 9 pm
Sun: Closed
419.531.ROCK

GASP!!

I was recently shocked and appalled to find that our beloved greasy spoon, The High Level Cafe, had turned their lights off, locked their doors, and put a 'For Lease' sign in the window. What does this mean for all of my fellow Old West End and Downtown/Uptown neighbors who are looking for a late night cure to the munchies? I'm a tad concerned. Will we be forced to drive to places such as IHOP or Wafflehouse? Order pizza from Cottage Inn (over-priced, mediocre, "45 minutes to an hour")? I will not subscribe to this! My suggestion? Someone with a little money open it back up with some minor improvements. Newer menu, new jukebox...think about it friends. Until then, Rest In Peace High Level. You'll be missed.