From 'crazy early' and a little 'goofy' to in-store signings and maybe ALF, here's how Green Bay plans to celebrate Record Store Day
GREEN BAY - There’s no Taylor Swift release as part of this year’s Record Store Day, and that’s a bit of an exhale for Rock N Roll Land owner Todd Magnuson.
“Taylor Swift comes out the day before, thank God,” he said of the pop superstar's 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which drops on Friday.
He means that in no way as a slight to Swifties, it’s just that things "get a little crazy when they throw Taylor Swift into the mix" on RSD, traditionally the busiest day of the year, as was the case with last year's “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions" release.
Saturday’s RSD celebrates independently owned record stores with a long list of exclusive releases meant to entice people to get out and buy music in person, shop local and enjoy the company of fellow music lovers with special festivities.
“We’re gonna get goofy with it,” said owner Pierre Jacque, who opened Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records in 2022.
He couldn’t help notice that this year's RSD happens to fall on April 20, which has become a day associated with cannabis culture.
“We think it’s kind of fun that it’s on 4-20 this year, with that being a goofy stoner holiday and The Dispensary (a recreational cannabis store) right next door, so we’re kind of the place to be on 4-20 I feel like,” Jacque said.
The full list of RSD releases is available at recordstoreday.com. Here’s what Green Bay’s two stores have in the works for the big day.
At Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records: Rick Sims of the Didjits, a throne made of records, chili dogs and maybe ALF
Where: Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records, 2248 University Ave.; 920-489-8996
Hours on Saturday: Noon-11 p.m.
Perks for the early birds: Jacque plans to build an easy chair out of easy listening albums in the parking lot. The first person in line will have the opportunity to sit in it.
Need some help visualizing what a record throne might look like? Think a lot of Ray Coniff, heavy on Lawrence Welk for the seat, Guy Lombardo 45s for the armrests ...
“I spent, I don’t way to say embarrassing amounts of time thinking about it, but a considerable amount of time thinking about it,” Jacque said.
Big in-store happening: Guitarist/vocalist Rick Sims, a founding member of Illinois punk band the Didjits, will be at the store at 6 p.m. to sign copies of the exclusive RSD release “Strictly Dynamite: Best of Didjits.” Tom Smith, who works at UFO, called his favorite guitar player of all time and asked if he would be up for an in-store signing for the double LP. Sims is doing another RSD event earlier in the day in Chicago and then heading up to Green Bay.
UFO ordered copies of the album from three different distributors and expects to have a good supply on hand at the time of the signing, Smith said.
Other store happenings: There will be chili dogs from someone dressed like Sonic the Hedgehog. ALF, as in Alien Life Form of ’80s TV fame, could also be roaming the store, Jacque said. People will be spinning records throughout the day.
RSD release Jacque is most excited about: “Crustopolis Vol. 1” by Pauly Shore and The Crustys. Yep, that Pauly Shore. The comedian and actor known for “Encino Man” and “Bio-Dome" covers 12 classic rock hits, including “Whole Lotta Love” and “Bad to the Bone.” Seventy-five randomly selected copies of the pink vinyl LP will include an art card autographed by Shore.
“I have no idea what it’s going to sound like, but I’m excited to buy a record by Pauly Shore,” Jacque said.
What is the vibe like on RSD: “As a retailer, it’s really kind of stressful, because it’s a make-or-break kind of day for the whole year really,” Jacque said. “I am trying to keep our mood light by having goofy things going on to add levity to the situation. Otherwise, it’s just a very, very busy day.”
What else: Bargain hunters will find sales and about 2,000 used records hitting the floor for the first time.
At Rock N Roll Land: A 'crazy early' line, a Matty Day signing and excitement for Olivia Rodrigo/Noah Kahan, Tinted Windows releases
Where: Rock N Roll Land, 838 S. Military Ave.; 920-490-2881
Hours on Saturday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Perks for the early birds: The first 50 people in line receive goody bags. There will be free coffee and doughnuts. Glas coffeehouse will be on site from 5 to 8 a.m. selling drinks and breakfast sandwiches for people waiting in line.
In-store happenings: DJs will be playing records from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Green Bay musician Matty Day, who recently picked up two Bay Area Music Awards (Bammys) for Original Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, will sell and sign copies of his “Meta Dada” release from 2 p.m. to close.
RSD releases getting buzz: The “hot title,” Magnuson said, is the 7-inch colored vinyl split single from Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan. She covers his “Stick Seasons” on Side A, and he covers her “Lacy” on Side B. Both songs were recorded in 2023 during their respective appearances on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
The self-tiled 2009 debut album — and only album — from rock supergroup Tinted Windows is being released on vinyl for the first time and is generating excitement, Magnuson said. The group features Taylor Hanson of Hanson, the late Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick.
People have also been asking about the double LP “The 1975 Live at Gorilla” by The 1975.
What the vibe is like on RSD: Busy! People start lining up “crazy early,” and once the doors open at 7 a.m., it can take until about 10 a.m. before everyone with that initial rush is through the store, Magnuson said. After that, it’s a steady stream of people all day.
“Record Store Day always brings out a lot of new faces but the majority are regulars,” he said. Rock N Roll Land also gets people who travel from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and elsewhere just for the occasion.
What else: Shoppers will find a large selection of half-price used records and CDs.
Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Record Store Day 2024: UFO, Rock N Roll Land store plans in Green Bay
