Reggie's Celebrates Vinyl Saturday With A Swap Meet, Music And Movie
By Casey Moffitt in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 2, 2015 6:05PM
Record Store Day might be a few weeks away (snooze), but Reggie's is geared up for a celebration of all things vinyl on Saturday featuring a swap meet, documentary screening and some old-school hardcore acts.
The day starts at 11 a.m. with the Beat Swap Meet, which is a traveling gag featuring collectors and dealers from around the U.S. offering wares from a variety of genres. Buy, sell and trade records with local and national dealers. Special guest DJs will be on hand spinning some of their favorite tunes including Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow, percussionist Martin Atkins (Public Image, Ltd., Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface) and Spencer Moody of Murder City Devils.
"Yeah, they asked me to DJ, so I said, 'O.K. I've got an iPod," Yow told Chicagoist.
Yow also will be hosting the Chicago premiere of Records Collecting Dust at 6:30 p.m. that day in Reggie's Music Joint. It's a documentary by San Diego musician and filmmaker Jason Blackmore in which he interviewed more than 30 people to talk about some of the albums that impacted them in some way. Blackmore also takes a peak at the record collections of some of his subjects. Willing participants include Yow, Jello Biafra, Keith Morris, Matt Pike, Mike Watt and Chuck Dukowski.
"They talked to a variety of people, but for the most part from American punk and hardcore and even dating back a little further," Yow explained. "There's also record store owners and music promoters, and it's just their take on music that drives them crazy."
Yow said he has seen the film, but "it was a weird night" and didn't lend too much insight to its contents. "Keith Morris from Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Off! always has an opinion and Jello Biafra has a lot to say," Yow said. "There's no way you'll walk out of there without having learned something. What you do with that newfound knowledge is up to you."
Oddly enough, Yow said he himself is not overly nostalgic about vinyl and has a limited collection. "I sold all my records a few years ago," he said. "I sold all my punk records for money and then I didn't have a working record player, so it seemed silly to hang onto the other 15 or 20 records I had left. I do have a record player now. Its a USB turntable and I've rekindled my collection to about 30 albums or so."
After the screening he will host a little Q&A session. "Little is the operative word, I think," he said. "I can't imagine it'll be too involved."
Later that night Reggie's has two shows to keep the event going. Hardcore pioneers Negative Approach will take the Rock Club stage along with Chicago's Brick Assassin and Crime Spree. Spencer Moody also will be putting some overtime in at Reggie's as he will perform as solo set in Music Joint along with Buildings from Minneapolis, locals Mr. Ma'am and El Mejor.
The Beat Swap Meet Runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday April 4. $3
Records Collecting Dust will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Saturday April 4. Donation suggested
Negative Approach performs in the Rock Club at 8:30 p.m. Saturday April 4. $15. 17 and older.
Spencer Moody performs at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Joint Saturday April 4. $12. 21 and older.
Reggie's is located at 2105 S. State St.