Permanent Records Turns Five, Celebrates in Style

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2011 4:00PM

Permanent Records set up shop at a time when other record stores were crumbling around it. But thanks to the sweat of its brow and vinyl’s resurgence, the once little-known record-lover’s haven has endured economic gloom and the digital age. Now, the Ukrainian Village record store is going strong into its fifth year.

Miles Raymer at the Reader goes into detail about Permanent’s humble beginnings: then-record-store clerks Liz Tooley and Lance Barresi ditched their jobs, relocated from Missouri to Chicago, and opened shop in spite of advice not to. Barresi tells Raymer, “Luckily, despite everyone's warnings, it all turned out OK.”

But “OK” is a bit of an understatement. “Flourishing” might be a more fitting word - since opening in 2006, they’ve spread their business with an online store, started an in-house record label, and opened another store in Los Angeles where they now reside.

To thank Chicago for five years of support, Permanent released a free, downloadable sampler. It’s a psych-punk assortment featuring locals like Cacaw, Brain Idea, and Black Math, as well as some oldies-but-goodies including Naked Raygun and the Psyclones.

They’re also throwing a 3-day-weekend’s worth of shows to commemorate the anniversary. The celebration kicks off Saturday night at the Hideout with a show featuring Royal Headache, Bed Wettin Bad Boys, and Daylight Robbery. Then Sunday, they’ll host one at the Empty Bottle where Cheveu, Running, and E+ will perform. The festivities come to a close Monday night with another show at the Bottle, this time free and featuring Bad Drugs, Mayor Daley, and High Castle.

But if you need some Permanent action immediately, they’ll be holding an (as always) free in-store show today at 5 p.m. with NY punk rockers Vivian Girls. And if you plan on shopping while you’re there, you can pick up a coupon for $5 off $25 over at Permanent Records’ site.

Vivian Girls play today at Permanent Records, 1914 W Chicago, 5 p.m., Free, All Ages

Bad Drugs headlines Monday, Sept. 19 at the Empty Bottle, 9:30 p.m., FREE, 21+