Wes Boudman emailed a kind message about No Echo a few weeks back. He specifially said that he enjoyed the Record Collector features. So, after seeing his IG page, I figured it would be a good idea to ask him to be part of the series. The guy has a killer stash of music and his eclectic taste is something I truly respect.
How long have you been collecting records?
I've been actively buying records since I was 13 or so. I'm 39 now. That seems pretty long. Dang.
Where/how do you usually find your records these days?
I buy a lot from online, mostly from bands directly, or through their distributor. Discogs is also helpful. On the brick and mortar side, I go to this place near me called Sonic Ascension Records in Montoursville, PA. It's only been open less then a year. My friend Lee runs the place. I've known him for 20 years. Such an awesome dude. He used to sell to me out of his house before he opened his own shop. I bet I've bought at least a thousand records from him. Double Decker Records in Allentown is about an hour from me, so that is a bonus. I've heard people say that is the best record store ever, anywhere. I could believe it. Jamie is a great dude and really knows his stuff. My girlfriend and I take a lot of trips and I always make sure to track down the local shops and drop some cash on some goods, much to her dismay. She knows it's my only vice.
What is the most you paid for a single record, where/how did you obtain it, and what was it?
It was Motörhead's No Remorse 2xLP with the fake leather cover. It was $50 from a dealer in Texas that I found in the pages of Record Collector magazine way back before the Internet. I am a huge Motörhead fan and when I realized that this was an actual thing, I had to have it. I called (!) the guy, told him I wanted it, and the next day, shipped out a money order (remember those days—wondering if you were ever going to see that money order, or the record ever?). It came a few weeks later and I was super stoked. It seems cheap compared to what people are dropping today, but whatever, the record still smokes.
Of everything in your current collection, what is your most prized record and why?
This is a tough one....I would like to refer back to my Motörhead No Remorse 2xLP. It seems like this one the first "grail" that I sought out and found after a little digging. The thrill of seeing it in a little ad print, calling up the seller, and securing a deal. It all seemed so exciting back then with the anticipation. There was no automatic purchase online and it wasn't in my hands a few days later. I waited for this one with baited breath.
Is there anything that frustrates you about the current record collecting scene?
I'm going to try and not get grumpy with this one....I really can't stand these non-essential reissues that keep clogging up the pressing plants. We don't need another pressing of some '70s rock record than can be easily obtained in any second-hand or used store anywhere. Please stop. Also—variants. Ugh. Two is enough. We don't need seven different version of the same record unless it goes out of print the first six times. Die-cut, pop-up, holographic, splatter vinyl, made with the ashes of the lead singer's dead aunt? Yeah, but does it rock? I get a gimmick now and then to sell records, but it's becoming overbearing. How about a nice poster with it? I like that one.
I'm going to become a stingy bastard on this last one. Is it just me, or are prices getting crazy? $25 for a single LP?! I absolutely love all these soundtracks getting released these days, but I'm not dropping $35 for one new LP. I'll wait a few years when someone thinks it's not cool anymore and buy it from them for 10. I've done it before, I'll do it again. I guess I did get grumpy on that one. Whoops, my bad.
Which records are still on your want list that you've had a tough time tracking down through the years?
Since I'm not really into scarcity, nothing really surpasses me on my wantlist. There are a few that command some extra dollars that I just don't want to fork out yet. Here's a few:
- VA - Night of the Living Dead OST (OG)
- John Harrison, Day of the Dead OST (OG)
- Guns N Roses, Use Your Illusion II 2xLP (OG)
- VA - Pennsylvania Unknowns comp
- Fabio Frizzi, The Beyond OST
- Louvin Brothers, Satan Is Real (OG)
- VA - The Return of the Young Pennsylvanians comp
- Scorpions, Virgin Killer (Original Cover)
- Annie, Anniemal (2xLP)
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Tagged: record collector
