Places – Page 6 – 7th Level Music

The Motown Museum: Small, but worth the trip.

If you’re ever in Detroit, and you’re a music fan, you really should check out the Motown Museum. It’s located in two houses, one of which houses the famous Studio A where nearly every early Motown hit you’ve heard was recorded.

You can only visit the museum via guided tour. The tours last a little over an hour, and there isn’t as much time to gawk at things as I’d like – mainly because they are packed with tour groups every day and need to get people through the place. The first building houses a lot of memorabilia including famous album covers, photos, and ephemera from various artists. The basketball uniforms worn by the Jackson 5 on a TV special were on display when my wife and I were there.

The second building is the famous “Hitsville, U.S.A.” building where many came to seek their dreams of music stardom.

They’ve preserved the original receptionist’s office, Berry Gordy’s apartment, the tape storage room, and Studio A. I loved seeing the old tape boxes and the recording studio in Studio A. I liked seeing the mixing board and the holes worn in the floor from producers stomping their feet to the killer beats Motown artists were dropping all those years.

You can’t take photographs in the museum, and the CDs at the gift shop are far too pricey for today’s consumers, but the opportunity to stand in the studio where the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, and so many others recorded some of the best songs in history is something you shouldn’t miss.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Karma East – Indianapolis, IN

Karma East is one of three Karma wrecka stows in Indianapolis. This one is located in a shopping plaza that also houses a good Chinese / Thai / Japanese restaurant. They pack a lot of stuff into the single storefront.

They have plenty of vinyl, of course…and hats.

The mix of CDs is excellent as well. I scored a live EP by TV on the Radio and copy of Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson there.

It’s small but worth the stop, so get some sushi at the corner of the plaza and then get your wrecka stow fix.

Keep your mind open.

Wrecka Stow: Superfly’s Lone Star Music Emporium – San Marcos, TX

Superfly’s Lone Star Music Emporium is a fine wrecka stow in San Marcos, Texas. My wife and I discovered it when we went to San Marcos for MR Fest during the cancelled Levitation festival in Austin. Superfly’s was hosting live music that day, so we got to see Sloe Your Roll there (who put on a great blues-rock set).

The place is decorated by people with a sense of humor. The restrooms are lined with LP covers.

The men’s room had this over the toilet…

…and this next to the sink.

The selection at Superfly’s is great. It’s about half LP’s and half CD’s. They had a great selection of Record Store Day material there when we visited.

The LP selection was particularly good, with a lot of different genres available.

It’s a fine place and well worth the stop if you’re in the Austin – San Marcos area.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Waterlood Records – Austin, TX

I knew I was going to spend a lot of money as soon as I stepped into Austin, Texas’ Waterloo Records (600 North Lamar). This massive store is legendary in the area and it takes up two large storefronts.

I walked in and saw a large selection of new albums and store-exclusive DVD’s and Blu-Ray discs. I grabbed a Blu-Ray of Razorback, but ended up putting it back on the shelf because I hadn’t even explored a sixth of the store yet.

The CD selection is this place is massive, and they have seemingly every genre you can imagine.

They also sell T-shirts, odd toys, and art, and they had plenty of stuff from Record Store Day still available. Don’t worry, vinyl lovers, they sell plenty of vinyl.

The north half of the store is nothing but records. The above photo is just a tiny part of their selection. They even sell record players.

Not to be outdone is their DVD / Blu-Ray alcove. The number of cult and B-films alone was stunning. I could drop hundreds of dollars in this alcove alone.

I walked out of there with CD’s from Eric B. & Rakim, Bayonne, and Oingo Boingo, and the Rough Guide to a World of Psychedelia.

Waterloo Records is a must-visit spot if you’re a music and / or film lover and visiting Austin. Bring a fat wallet.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Friends of Sounds Records – Austin, TX

As you walk up South Congress Street in Austin, Texas, you will (hopefully) notice the sign for Friends of Sound Records at 1704 South Congress. It’s a vinyl lover’s dream.

The entrance is around the back of the building in the alley.

Walk up that ramp, hang a left, and you’ll see this.

Inside you’ll find boxes and boxes of vinyl from every genre you can imagine (and some you’ve forgotten).

John Lee Hooker, Radiohead, and the Cramps all on the same wall equals a win. The store consists of two rooms packed to the gills with records. They were playing some cool vintage R&B when I was there in April during Levitation weekend.

The second room is on a (slightly) lower level and has most of the house music, electro, and disco.

Even the cash register desk has stuff around and on it to entice you, not unlike candy bars at a grocery store.

It’s a crate digger’s paradise. Don’t miss it if you’re in Austin and hunting for good vinyl.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Orbit Records – Mishawaka, IN

I’ve been going to Mishawaka, Indiana’s Orbit Music (805 West McKinley) for over twenty years. The place has always had a good selection of used CD’s, vinyl records, DVD’s, and other fun stuff like shirts and even vintage video games.

They had a good selection of stuff at this year’s Record Store Day event, and nearly everything in the store was 20% off to boot.

They’re even keeping cassettes and VHS tapes alive. It’s a local gold mine for VHS tape collectors.

Stop in there if you’re in the Michiana area. It’s worth the trip.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Luna Records – Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis’ Luna Records (5202 North College Avenue) was recommended to me by a friend who lives there. He and I love wrecka stows, so I trusted his judgment. He was spot-on with it, as it’s a fun store with hip employees who spin cool jazz / funk records. The content is about 60% vinyl and 40% CD’s.

The selection is large, varied, and good. Their “Buy 4 used CDs, get a fifth free” deal was too good to pass up, so I walked out with stuff from the Crystal Method, The Heavy, Kasabian, Beck, and Black Mountain.

One of my favorite parts of the store was their rack of music and art zines. I’m always happy to see indie stores supporting indie zine and comic creators.

They have a lot of stuff, but the aisles aren’t cramped. Whoever crafts their displays has a nice aesthetic.

This alone should earn someone a raise.

It’s a great place. Check it out if you’re in Indy.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow Day 2016 event list now available.

Don’t forget that Record Store Day is April 16th. Don’t forget to visit your local wrecka stow and show them your support. There are always prime releases on Record Store Day from hundreds of artists, and many places have live performances to boot.

The list of wrecka stows hosting live events on the 16th is now available at the RSD website and will surely be updated as the date grows closer. Don’t miss the chance to see some good gigs and score great stuff for your collection.

There’s plenty of stuff I’d like to snag: the Bee Gees / Faith No More 7″ single. a double Buzzcocks album, two classic Johnny Cash records, a Dark Shadows TV film score re-release, a Flaming Lips CD I haven’t heard before, a Buddy Guy / Junior Wells re-release, a live James Brown double album re-release, new stuff from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, a Daft Punk remix of a Junior Kimbrough song, a psychedelic samba record, a live double Ravi Shankar LP, a cover of “John the Revelator” by The Sword on 7″ vinyl, a new Rhino Records psychedelic rock compilation, another psychedelic compilation (from the UK), a compilation of Cambodian 1960’s rock, a live Muddy Waters record, an Italian horror film soundtrack by Goblin, two Japanese garage / psychedelic rock compilations, and a Stooges re-release.

Keep your mind open.

Wrecka Stow: 606 Records – Chicago, IL

Located at 1808 South Allport Street in Chicago, Illinois, 606 Records is a nice vinyl and cassette store (as well as books and magazines devoted to music) conveniently located across from Thalia Hall and in a booming part of the city. There’s a large Hispanic community in the area, so there are some good Mexican restaurants nearby as well.

606 Records has neat art inside and a wide selection of good vinyl ranging from gospel and world music to rock and rap.

They were playing some neat psychedelic rock when I arrived there on March 10, 2016. I was tempted to flip through the rock records while I was there, but I was running short on time and wanted to get to the Levitation Chicago festival at Thalia Hall before the first band started. I spotted this groovy graffiti art as I left.

It’s a neat store with a slick look. I recommend it for vinyl lovers and for anyone checking out a show at Thalia Hall.

Keep your mind open.

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The Smoke House: Come for the smoked turkey, stay for the Louvin Brothers Museum.

I was hungry while on my way back from Chattanooga a couple weeks ago and discovered The Smoke House Restaurant and Trading Post in Monteagle, Tennessee. It’s an impressive place with enough cured meats, spice rubs, barbecue sauces, and jams and jellies for an army. I opted for the smoked turkey open-faced sandwich with cole slaw and mashed potatoes.

Good grief, it was delicious. The smoked turkey was the best I’d eaten in years. I’m sure the rest of the menu is just as delicious, and I’ll probably try the fried chicken and / or frog legs if I ever get back there.

You pay for your meal in the gift shop on the way out. As I walked through their expansive gift shop, I twice passed a room that appeared to be another alcove full of knick-knacks for sale before I noticed the sign above the entryway.

Yes, tucked along one back wall of this place, with a light-up reindeer atop it, is a museum dedicated to country music legends Ira and Charlie Louvin.

It’s full of plaques, photos, and memorabilia from the duo who popularized country harmony music and were well-known for their gospel songs.

There is so much here that I couldn’t photograph all of it without burning up more time on my trip home. There are display cases full of show tickets, recording notes, family photos, and personal effects. The number of photos and commendations from various music venues, writers, and associations is staggering.

There’s also a display case dedicated to the car crash death of Ira Louvin and his fourth wife, Anne Young.

That photo was taken three days before their car was struck by a drunk driver on June 20, 1965. In a weird twist, a DUI warrant had been issued for Ira’s arrest around the same time.

The museum also has a complete collection of the Louvin Brothers’ records, so many that I couldn’t get them all into one shot.

It’s a cool place that is easy to miss, but you owe it to yourself to see it if you’re a fan of classic country or gospel music. There’s a lot of neat stuff in there. Like this, a laminated picture of Grandpa Jones on a piece of wood.

Keep your mind open.