Born and raised in North Wales, James "Tinman" Anton is a 40-year-old family man who currently plays drums in Minus Nine Lives. He has also done stints in the bands Instant Agony, and Stuntface, to name a few. An inspiring indie filmmaker, Anton runs his own film company, Tinman FIlms. Currently residing in Chester, England with his fiancé and soon to be four children, he's also the latest music geek to become a member of the site's Record Collector club.
How long have you been collecting records?
As a kid, my parents had this amazing Sharp brand record player, and I'd play their records all the time. I would play Michael Jackson records, and film soundtracks. All those records ended up in my collection. I got into metal at around 12-years-old, and from then I started buying Iron Maiden records. That's when I got the itch for vinyl. But it eased off when I got into hardcore and punk. I was 14 and started exclusively collecting hardcore 7"s, no LPs. It was a crazy notion, but at that time that's what I did. In my head back then it was cheaper and easier! I do wish I had started sooner on the LPs. But that how it goes.
Where/how do you usually find your records?
Usually Discogs or eBay. But I have found the rarest/best records from trades from fellow record collectors on Instagram. I have traded records with collectors from all over the world. I have made some great friends, too!
What is the most you paid for a single album, where/how did you obtain it, and what was it?
The most I paid for an album was $300, or at the time, £200. It was for a Kid Dynamite Shorter, Faster, Louder baby blue swirl mispress. Only four are known to exist: Two in the US, one in Australia, mine here in the UK. Jade Tree refuse, or won't comment, on its origin. So, the mystery of the blue mispress continues! It was worth every penny. I got it from fellow instagram friend, Adam Bender.
What is your most prized record and why?
It's not just one record, it's a few. I got friendly with Mike De Lorenzo and Vinny Value (no explanation needed) after they saw me post a S.S.S.P record [they both play in the band]. My comments were "need to beef up the collection," and a few days later, both fellas reached out to me and were willing to help me complete the first 7" run! I got two separate packages both filled with NYHC goodies! I hold them as my prized possessions because they didn't have to help me out. And the collection came from the band themselves and that means more than anything. As a thank you to both Vinne and Mike, I am directing a music video through my film company, Tinman Films, for the song "It's Up to Us" from the S.S.S.P LP, For Life. It's looking good so far. Watch this space...
Is there anything that frustrates you about the whole record collecting scene?
When people find out I'm into collecting vinyl they say, "Oh, vinyl is making is comeback," and that irritates me! No, it's always there. They are being told by the mainstream media that it is "coming back." That and flippers annoy me, especially when it comes to movie soundtracks. I'm big on collecting movie scores and the mainstream media has made the price of vinyl soundtracks to rise to ridiculous amounts!
Which albums are still on your want list that you've had a tough time tracking down through the years?
I'm four records away from completing my Ensign collection, but these are the hard ones to track down:
- Ensign/Good Riddance split autopsy red cover (band/friends press) of /16.
- Ensign/Good Riddance split Targum coffin cover of /15
- Ensign, For What It's Worth both tour covers of /100
I also need the International Heroes of Hardcore Takin' It Ova! friends press /100 black yellow & white splatter andd test press /25
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Follow James on Instagram.
Tagged: hardcore, record collector
