Record stores haven't gone extinct yet. That's something the Coalition of Independent Music Stores and other organizers of April 19's national Record Store Day want you to know. More than 300 stores across the 50 states will be handing out goodie bags full of free CDs and sponsoring other promotions. Here in Madison, B-Side, MadCity Music Exchange, Strictly Discs and both Exclusive Company locations will participate. At recordstoreday.com, artists are weighing in on the romance of retailers that share musical love.
"Something magic happens in these stores," says Rhett Miller of the Old 97's. "Like if you stand there long enough you realize that the fourth wall doesn't exist, that you can be on the stage or in the studio just like your heroes. Thank God for the indies."
Longtime Madison music fans may remember Jimmy the Go Go Man, a band fronted by Kevin Freiling that formed in the mid-'80s and lasted until the mid-'90s. On April 4 in Melbourne, Fla., Freiling died at 46. One of JTGGM's most spirited songs was "Lick Bush This Year (Get That Pussy Out of Here)." On the Forum thread at TheDailyPage.com, local musicians are sharing their memories.
"What a great character," says Biff Blumfumgagnge of the Gomers. "I'll never forget his stage antics and crazy rock energy."
The Clyde Stubblefield band played every Monday night at 114 King St. over the years, even as the music venue morphed from the Chamber into Mass Appeal and then the King Club. Stubblefield had planned to continue his weekly Funky Mondays gig at Woof's, but that's changed. "We've decided to permanently relocate to Madison's [across the street at 119 King St.]," says sax player Bryan Husk. "Woof's built a fence across the stage, which shot down any chance we could return."
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