Buffalo, NY | Revolver Records rides the rising vinyl tide: Three years ago, when Phil Machemer opened Revolver Records on Hertel Avenue, success for the new venture was far from guaranteed. Streaming services had all but decimated the world of walk-in, local music retail. In the time since Revolver opened, local stores Spiral Scratch and the last of the once-bustling Record Theatre stores closed. And though a handful of local record stores specializing in used vinyl – Record Baron in Kenmore, Black Dots on Grant Street and Rick’s Record Shack on Woodlawn among them – the survival of new independent music retailers in Buffalo – or anywhere, really – seemed unlikely.
Reykjavik, IS | Iceland’s 12 Tónar selected greatest record store in the world: Music magazine NME (New Musical Express) just published an article on a new book by journalist Marcus Barnes on the world’s best record shops. Barnes selects his top ten record shops for NME and lists Icelandic record store 12 Tónar as his number one record store in the world. In the book, Barnes lists 80 record shops worldwide. Barnes writes about 12 Tónar: “Iceland has a sterling reputation for producing incredibly talented, unique artists. This shop is owned by a few of them and its selection is top notch. Add to that the fact that it has been designed so that customers can chill out and socialise with one another and you’ve got a winning formula.”
Chicago, IL | Beverly Records’ Dreznes celebrates 70th birthday: Beverly Records owner Jack Dreznes holds his granddaughter Delaney at his surprise 70th birthday party on Oct. 14 surrounded by family and all of his 14 grandchildren who surprised him at the Frankfort Bowl themed party “Split Happens, Jack’s 7*10 Birthday Bowling Bash.” Beverly Records has remained in the Dreznes Family since 1967 when Jack’s father, John, bought the store for his mother, Christine. The store began as a small gift, novelty and record store and has become one of the foremost go-to record stores in Chicago at the same location, 11612 S. Western Ave.
Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special’ to Get 50th Anniversary Box Set Release: On November 30th, a comprehensive, deluxe box set featuring a dizzying array of audio and video components will celebrate the special’s 50th anniversary. The five-CD and two-Blu-ray disc set will mark the first time ever that all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package. Spotlighting unused performances and studio outtakes of Presley in his element, the collection also features an entire disc of the legendary sessions for the NBC special, which Presley recorded with the studio musicians collectively known as the Wrecking Crew…Fontana and Moore are both featured in the two-LP vinyl release The King in the Ring, also included in the boxed set. Released in limited quantity for Record Store Day earlier this year, the set showcases the laid-back “sit down” sets from the special, performed in the round for an intimate audience.
Austin, TX | Legendary blues club rolls out po’ boys: Antone’s Nightclub is having a family reunion. On October 23, the legendary Austin blues joint announced that it would start serving Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, bringing the popular Houston sandwich company to Central Texas for the first time in decades. The po’ boy company was founded by Jalal Antone, the uncle of the club’s founder, Clifford Antone. Starting October 27, the po’ boys will be available at the bar and front record shop, Big Henry’s Vinyl & Gifts, daily from noon-2 am.
