New Additions: Just Deserts album by El Jesus De Magico

Last fall I picked up a pair of El Jesus De Magico albums from Records Per Minute. Both Scalping The Guru and Just Deserts came with the comment from the owner Steve - "these are the best Columbus albums ever." High praise, considering Steve's long history in the city. I don't know that I 100% agree, but there is definitely something special and unique about the band, who traffic in experimental noise rock that sounds like the natural evolution of the scene following Jim Shepard and his various incarnations.

Good Time To Support A Local Record Store

With so many local artists unable to play shows, it's a good time to call your record store and place an order to pick up a release or two from one of the many Columbus bands and musicians hurting during this, as well as supporting a local business. Here's some places to a check out:

Lost Weekend Records

Elizabeth's Records

Used Kids Records

Magnolia Thunderpussy Records

Records Per Minute

New Additions: The Creeps / Black Love split single (2000)

The first (and only) release in my collection by The Creeps is the 2000 split single with Black Love. It's an interesting document in that it's the only recording I can find by Black Love, which was the late 1990s band featuring former Carnival of Souls/Barbed Wire Dolls lead singer Johnny "Booger" Weills. When I found this at Records Per Minute, it ended up having both the green and red vinyl versions included, which for a record collecting nerd like myself, was a pretty cool bonus.

New Additions: Bloodsucker EP by Scrawl

While the vast majority of bands I've come across researching for the book have been new to me, Scrawl is one that I was somewhat familiar with prior to starting. Thanks to working in college radio in the 90s, the albums released on Elektra (Travel On, Rider and Nature Film) both made there way to our station and playlists. I was totally unfamiliar with the early years, and thankfully I'm getting caught up. Luckily, I've been able to stream online and slowly piece together the back catalog of the band, and it's been a lot fun rediscovering (and discovering for the first time) so much great music, including the Bloodsucker EP released in 1991, which I was able to snag at Records Per Minute a few weeks ago. It's even signed by the band!

New Additions: Tiara / Preston Furman split single

Out and about in Columbus recently, I stopped by Records Per Minute and dug through the seven inch selection, coming out with a few gems, including this Tiara and Preston Furman split single released on Seldom Scene Records back in 1996. Tiara was a band that I was instantly a fan of when I first moved to Columbus, as they had just released their debut Calling The Whales and would continue to be proficient during the early half of the 2000s, along with lead singer Eric Metronome's voluminous solo output around the same time.