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So, look over this and (try) to sleep a little bit tonight -

and be here at 8 AM when we start this fiesta.

Come for the bargains and stay for the live music.  Record Store Day is our 10th anniversary and we simply cannot thank you enough for all of your support.

Let’s begin:

SWEET 7 INCH WONDERS OF THE WORLD

THE WHITE STRIPES – Hand Springs/Red Death at 6:14

Third Man keeps churning out more vinyl.  For Record Store Day, they venture into the vault back to year 2000.  ”Hand Springs” was originally on a split single with The Dirtbombs.  ”Red Death at 6:14″ was only previously available on a Detroit-only compilation and in MOJO magazine.  This will be the first of many White Stripes reissues in the year 2012.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & HIS MAGIC BAND – Diddy Wah Diddy (double 7″)

Before Beefheart was blowing minds, he was blowing his harp at beach parties and clandestine car club functions.  This new double single revives his cover of “Diddy Wah Diddy” and the original 1966 David Gates recordings that not only led The Magic Band away from the bluesy rock of Safe As Milk - but far away from music that was deemed commercial.

JIMMY FALLON - Tebowie/Reading Rainbow

Everyone’s fave impersonating late night host has gathered his best parodies on one slab of wax for you (actually, more are coming on a full-length album out soon).  Fallon dons a jersey and facepaint for his pointed commentary on a former Bronco/now Jet and then opens some doors to a very interesting take on a beloved children’s show theme.

THE FLAMING LIPS/MASTODON-A Spoonful Weighs A Ton

Imagine two completely different bands playing the same song.  Now imagine the ethereal “Spoonful” in the hands of metal gods Mastodon.  Yes, this is one you must hear to believe.

FEISTODON (a/k/a Mastodon and Feist)

Continuing with the strange combinations, imagine Mastodon covering Feist and Feist then returning the favour by offering her own version of “Black Tongue.”  Hopefully, this will be start of beautiful (and strange) friendship.

OTHER STRANGE COMBINATIONS include MC5/Afrika Bambaataa – “Kick Out The Jams” (on tie dyed wax) and RUN DMC/Carolina Chocolate Drops – “You Be Illin.’”  In addition, there is the collaboration between Deerhoof and Of Montreal (limited to just 2000 on gold vinyl).

REGINA SPEKTOR- Sings Bulat

Finally after three years, Spektor has some new output.  As she prepares her next album What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (out May 29), she offers her fans two songs from Bulat Okudzhava in her native Russian.

BEACH HOUSE – Lazuli/Equal Mind

May 15th is not that far away.  However, after hearing their first bewitching single “Myth” – it cannot seem to come fast enough.  To aid in patiently waiting for Bloom, we offer this single with one song from the album and one outtake.

THE CIVIL WARS – Billie Jean

Joy and John Paul were the darlings of the Grammys.  They were kind enough to give RSD 1000 units of their UK single.  The B-side is their version of Portishead’s “Sour Times.”

RYAN ADAMS – Heartbreak A Stranger

Last Record Store Day, Mr.Adams offered demos of a pair of tracks that made it on his excellent Ashes & Fire.  This time around, he serves notice of his love of Hüsker Dü’s Bob Mould with two covers of songs from Mould’s dark classic Black Sheets of Rain. (Limited edition of 2500.)

Blast back in time with a pair of newly remastered cuts from James Brown‘s immortal  Live At The Apollo show, or the newly remastered and remixes single of The Clash‘s “London Calling.”  There is also new music to be heard from Coldplay, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and the late, great Joey Ramone.

ST. VINCENT – Krokodil/Grot

Annie Clark is a great guitar player and continues to push the envelope with her most recent album Strange Mercy.  ”Krokodil” is a departure from the lush funk of the previous album, as she gets vicious over an insistent punk beat.

AMANDA PALMER – Polly

The Dresden Doll dresses down her music for a special single with the Grand Theft Orchestra.  Here she covers Nirvana and Radiohead – but in a way you are not expecting.

M.WARD – Primitive Girl

Following the success of his latest solo effort (A Wasteland Companion, also available here on CD and LP), Mr. Ward gave the RSD folks three songs for his limited edition single.  The B-side is completely unreleased and has a surprising run through a timeless Rock N’Roll fave.

RICHARD THOMPSON – Haul Me Up/1952 Vincent Black Lightning (live)

The venerable instrumentalist and singer gives you a peek at his upcoming live DVD with this two-song preview.  It also includes a download of the stunning “Night Comes In.” (Limited edition of 1750)

TORTOISE – Lonesome Sound/Mosquito (double 7″)

Did you ever wonder how Tortoise began?  To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Thrill Jockey Records, the label went back in to the vault and has reissued the nascent math rock band’s first release.  Listen and discover that no could predict where post-rock was coming from.

PATTERSON HOOD – After It’s Gone

The Drive-By Trucker is joined by his new band The Downtown 13 for a brand new song about those musicians and all of his home of Athens, GA protesting the development of a new Wal-Mart in his area.  The Downtown 13, by the way, consists of members of a wealth of “local” bands to Athens.

ROSIE THOMAS/SUFJAN STEVENS - Hit & Run Vol.1

To commemorate their recent tour together, this pair of great singers and songwriters each take a side. However, Thomas and Stevens do more than just split this single, they play on each other’s song.  Rosie gives you a completely different take of her track, and Sufjan is brand new.

OTHE ROOTSY REBELS include Lydia Loveless who pairs her album cut “Bad Way To Go” with a cover of Elvis Costello’s “Alison”, the ethereal folk of a new Smoke Fairies EP.  However, that is not the only Costello side available, Justin Townes Earle pairs the title track to his excellent album with a version of “Sneaky Feelings.”

ALBUM-SIZED PRIZES OF ALL MAKES AND MODELS

GARY CLARK JR.-HWUL Raw Cuts Vol.1

After years of kicking around the Austin blues scene, 2011 was the year that Clark arrived.  After blazing everyone at Bonnaroo, Clark has since shared stages with B.B.King, Eric Clapton and even accompanied the President.  While they busily assemble his WB debut, we offer this 20 minute EP of live cuts from his recent tour.

PHISH – Junta DLX

Before they were they the stadium entity they are today, they entertained at tiny bars like Nectar’s in Burlington, VT.  Junta (named for the nickname of their first manager) was their first studio adventure.  In an effort to contain all of their improvs and suites (in light of the Elektra reissue), this limited edition reissue (only 5000 made and every record store we know has been begging for them) puts it all back together over five sides.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – Stadium Arcadium LTD

Before they hit the stage at the Hangout in May (and return to New Orleans in October), Warner Bros. and Record Store Day have a special package of their 4LP behemoth.  This new box is very limited edition (2000!) and the only time you can buy this vinyl at this price for the year.

WIDESPREAD PANIC – Live Wood

Widespread Panic celebrated their 25th anniversary with the acoustic Wood Tour.  These multiple night performances gave the band a chance to stretch their catalog and Live Wood captures some of the real surprises from this series of shows.

THE BLACK KEYS – El Camino DLX

This Special Edition of this soon-to-be classic Houses of the Holy to Brothers’  IV sides was cut for maximum sonic impact at 45RPM and pressed in Germany.  In addition to the hot-rodded Camino, there’s a bonus poster and 7″ single with two live performances.  Oh, and the CD as well.

GRATEFUL DEAD – Dark Star

Last RSD, the Dead prize was the massive Europe ’72 reissue.  Since that has been nearly restored to its original form, the Dead decided to offer a unique leftover from the remaining unreleased tracks from that tour.  Dark Star presents their lengthy improvisational fave over two sides as recorded in Paris in 1972.

JERRY LEE LEWIS – Live at Third Man Records

The Killer is back, and this time he is with the prolific Third Man records in Nashville.  On April 17, 2011, he took the audience in the Third Man parking lot for ride down the rock n’roll highway with fiery versions of all of his best known singles and a few personal faves.

DEVO - Live in Seattle

Speaking of live albums, one of the longest awaited ones is a RSD-only release from Devo. This double live self-release from the band captures them on the New Traditionalists tour in 1981 with a set brimming with their early classics. Singing and playing while running on treadmills beneath their Greek temple, this fiery set may be just what you need (even if their LPs no longer come with lists of clothing to purchase.)

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – The Howl Sessions

March 21, 2006.  Black Rebel Motorcycle Club roll into Sandbox Studio in LA and lay down music for their move from grinding rock to dark Americana.  The product of those sessions was only previously available on the initial run of what is now regarded as their best album, Howl.  For RSD, it has been reissued on LP.

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD. – One Drop

John Lydon and his motley crew finally return with their first new music in 20 years.  This is PiL is standing by for late-May release.  As you wait, the dubbish “One Drop” will hopefully satisfy your needs until then.

MISFITS – Walk Among Us 

After the success of Los Angeles label Slash Records, its owner Bob Biggs launched the Ruby imprint to give less commercial music a home.  The first three Ruby albums (notably, The Gun Club and The Dream Syndicate) are all modern classics.  The third, The Misfits studio debut, Walk Among Us, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with this new pressing.

GENESIS – Spot The Pigeon

In 1977, Genesis was a band in transition.  After Peter Gabriel’s departure, the band was finding its footing with drummer Phil Collins taking over vocals.  While recording Wind & Wuthering, the band had three tracks left over that did not fit the album.  That trio of songs was released on this EP that was only available in the UK and Canada – until now.  This unique RSD only release plays at two speeds.

MILES DAVIS – Forever Miles

In the ongoing quest to release all of the Miles ever recorded, more unreleased live music has been discovered.  This latest find includes five classic tracks from the 1950′s, 1960′s and 1970′s (“Directions”).  This limited edition is a must for any jazz fan, either longtime or neophyte.

LEONARD COHEN – Live in Fredricton EP

Mr. Cohen’s 2008-2009 World Tour was an historic event.  After years of seclusion, Cohen proved that he still had it.  And never lost it.  From the first leg of that tour, this EP offers a set of longtime faves including “Bird on A Wire” and “Who By Fire.”

In addition to Cohen, we also have a live double LP from The Cure‘s classic Disintegration tour captured on Entreat and a classic Buddy Guy live album returns to print from the good folks at Vanguard.  In addition to that blues offering, we also have the Lost Sessions of Mississippi John Hurt and a repress of Skip James’ Devil Got My Woman.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE -Transverse Temporal Gyrus

As they continue work on their long awaited followup to Merriwether Post Pavilion, Animal Collective honour RSD with a commissioned work.  TTG was created for an installation at the Guggenheim museum in 2010.  This limited edition pressing is the closest you can get to experiencing the surround sound experiment they treated these fans to in the museum.

LEE HAZLEWOOD – The LHI Years:Singles, Nudes and Backsides (1968-71)

His boots were made for walking.  He had several velvet mornings.  Lee Hazlewood was the basso-profundo voice and the writer/producer that made Nancy Sinatra and Ann Margret stars.  On his own, he composed, played and sang an interesting twist of acidic folk and echo-drenched dramatic pop.  Truly, the only daddy that’ll walk that line.

JONATHAN WILSON – Pity Trails and Tomorrow’s Child EP

After leading a group of singer/songwriter back to the heralded Laurel Canyon with his 70′s rock on Gentle Spirit, Wilson takes time out for a special RSD release where he covers George Harrison (with Graham Nash), Happy & Artie Traum and The Apryl Fool.

PETE TOWNSHEND – Quadrophenia Demos Vol.2

One of last year’s biggest surprises was the success of the Townshend demos for his magnum opus Quadrophenia.  While they were part of the Director’s Cut Deluxe Edition CD, you guys flocked to the stamped, limited edition 10″ vinyl.  This RSD, we offer five more cuts from those sessions including my personal fave, “Drowned.”

PETER TOSH – Legalize It 10″

This limited edition RSD picture disc is sure to make you dizzy if you try to stare as Mr.Tosh while listening to the four remixes of his classic song.  We advise you to sit back and show Jah love while listening instead.

DAVE BRUBECK OCTET – Distinctive Rhythm Instrumentals

This is a 10″ record manufactured just like in the days of yore.  Eight men playing seven jazz songs.  Brubeck adapts a theme and variations idea from classical music (namely Bach) and uses it as a means of improvisation.  This 1950 release was previously available (as the video shows) on 78.

In addition, we also have 10″ limited edition pieces from Jay Farrar/Will Johnson/Anders Parker/Yim Yames playing four exclusive tracks from their excellent New Multitudes album, the 13 minute new Gorillaz single featuring Andre 3000 and James Murphy and the Icelandic folk group Of Monsters and Men.

ADRIAN YOUNGE and ADRIAN QUESADA – EP

This EP is a true meeting of the minds.  Younge is famous for his 70′s blaxploitation soundtrack Black Dynamite.  Quesada has conjured up some seriously funky Latin sounds inside of Grupo Fantasma and outside of that group as Ocote Soul Sounds.  Put them together on wax and it is unstoppable.

DESTROYER – Destroyer’s Rubies

Dan Bejar is one of the best songwriters on Earth.  Don’t believe me, just listen to lyrical precision of his 2006 classic re-released on vinyl for a very limited time.  After finally finding success in his side gig as a New Pornographer, Bejar paints some beautiful pictures on this album.  The 2012 reissue adds a 23-minute vinyl only bonus cut.

In addition, Metallica is releasing their recent EP Beyond Magnetic on vinyl for the first time.  While we have had the CDs of the latest Rough Guide editions (Psychedelic Africa and New Orleans) for a couple of weeks, we will have vinyl versions of these available exclusively this Saturday.  The Arcade Fire have remixed their celebratory Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) for a limited 12″.

DID WE ALSO MENTION THERE ARE CD’S and MORE:

GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS - Live at Sun Studios CD and LP

In 2008 and 2009, Grace Potter and her band stopped by the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis and recorded seven songs.  She has graciously provided them to all her fans for purchase as this Limited Edition RSD only item.

Various Artists – SMUGGLER’S WAY

This unique flexidisc zine may be the most interesting RSD product yet.  Smuggler’s Way is a 24 page zine with writing, drawings and various contributions from a handful of artists from Domino Records.  While that list is impressive, what is more astounding are the five (!) flexidiscs inside that contain unreleased exclusive tracks from Dirty Projectors, Real Estate, Cass McCombs (covering Leonard Cohen), John Maus and Villagers.

BILLY BRAGG & WILCO – Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions

47 songs. 3 CDs and a DVD.  A 44-page book.  You thought you heard everything on Volumes 1 & 2 – but this mammoth release proves there is thankfully more to explore.

THE CIVIL WARS – Live at Amoeba CD

In addition to their vinyl single, the Alabama duo has a very limited run of CDs from their June 2011 appearance at Amoeba Records in San Francisco.

KIMBRA – Settle Down EP

After years of having hits down under, this Australian has gained notoriety here as the female vocalist on Gotye’s hit “Somebody That I Used To Know.”  Now in preparation for her Stateside release Vows, we have the Settle Down EP.  Settle has five songs including her latest single “Good Intent”

and finally, we end with one of the coolest Record Store Day items we have ever had the pleasure of seeing:

THE BUCK OWENS COLORING BOOK

If Smuggler’s Way has its way, the flexidisc is back.  These original 1970 vintage coloring books from the late, great Buck Owens are a true prize.  If the book was not enough, Omnivore wants you to sharpen your red, white and blue crayons to some great music as it contains a four-song (!) flexidisc of Owens’ best.

For a complete list of Record Store Day Releases CLICK HERE!

Mike Watt is the classic journeyman of Rock N’Roll. Since his auspicious beginnings in punk rock, he has taken bass playing far beyond the dull thud of root notes instead slicing through multiple styles and fusing them together with punk.  Already a legend from his tenure in the Minutemen, Watt and Minutemen drummer George Hurley were propositioned to form a new band by one of their biggest fans, Ed Crawford.  They named their group fIREHOSE and over five albums (including three with SST) took punk rock a little further down the road.  Today, fIREHOSE has reunited for a series of shows to commemorate the reissue of their Columbia-era records. lowFLOWs collects all of their output from 1991-1993 including their 1991 classic Flyin’ The Flannel, the live document Live Totem Pole, 1993′s J Mascis-produced Mr.Machinery Operator.  Mr. Watt was kind enough to take some time from his busy schedule (multiple records, tours and even a weekly online radio show) for this interview.

T-BoNE’S: Having grown up in the days of classic rock, how did you first connect with that music and then perhaps disconnect from it? Was there a show or album that felt artificial or disingenuous-or was it just necessary evolution?

For More about Wooden Finger, Click HERE.

For More about Chimney Choir, Click HERE.

On Tuesday, March 20th, we welcome Country Mice for a pair of shows.  This Kansas-via-Brooklyn quartet released their debut album Twister was released last year to critical raves.  Spin Magazine awarded Twister at 8 out of 10 and called it “country living that knows how to move.”  Guitarist Jason Rueger took time to talk with us on the road from their series of successful shows at SxSW.  Country Mice will perform here tomorrow at 7pm and across the street at Nick’s at 10pm with the Del Mar Boys.

T-BoNE’S: With American bands today there seem to be two movements: those who embrace rootsy music and those who completely avoid it.  How were you attracted to belonging to first group and what about this music drew you in?

JASON RUEGER: For us, we’ve never really strived for the former or latter.  I grew up on a healthy dose of psychedelic rock and classic country, so I’m sure those influences sneak in there subconsciously.

T-BoNE’S: It is a long way from Kansas to Brooklyn, does that shift between two worlds figure into your music?

RUEGER:  Definitely.  A lot of the songs are about the displacement I’ve felt since moving to a much bigger city.  Distance and time away from home has given me a lot of inspiration when the songs come out.

T-BoNE’S : How was it to set up in Brooklyn with the multitude of other bands and carve out your own place?

RUEGER: Both rewarding and challenging.  We don’t sound a lot like the myriad of bands in the Brooklyn scene, so it’s always been a challenge building a bill of like-genred musicians.  But on the flipside we’ve played with so many bands around town, picked up tips from them, and made friends, that its always kept us from finding us in a ‘sound rut’. A good scene inspires you to take a look at how you sound, and how you can expand on it, and I think Brooklyn does that for us.

T-BoNE’S: It feels like when you write your songs, it begins with just one voice and one guitar.  Once you capture that intimacy, then you share it with the other Mice in hopes of expanding the sound but again maintaining that level of intimacy.  How do you really write songs?

RUEGER: Yeah, the songs usually start with me and an acoustic at home.  Late at night and all alone. I’ll hone in on a few lyrics or an idea and just work it out until its ready for a rough demo.  Sometimes takes all night long to get it done. I move around the apartment depending on which walls are sensitive to me waking up the neighbors. I usually end up in the bathroom recording the demo to my Tascam or straight to Garageband, then send the track to the guys. We then expand on it over the full band rehearsal.   We collaborate once it gets to the rehearsal space and usually give it mucho gusto and pare it back appropriately from there.

T-BoNE’S :”Morning Son” floats on a buoyant rhythm, and while bittersweet – remains uplifting.  Is there something to be said of your songwriting trying to be somewhat ambiguous or perhaps paint with several different colours at the time?

RUEGER: I never seek to be ambiguous when writing but I am happy when a song can mean something very personal to me, yet can also mean something completely different to another. I try to blindly dig deep and let whatever I’m trying to say come out, if it speaks just to me or to others is all chance.

T-BoNE’S : You receive a lot of comparisons to Crazy Horse because of the distorted guitar/Americana band nucleus of your sound?  Are they really central to it?  What other music inspired you?

RUEGER: Of course.  I’m a huge Neil Young and Crazy Horse fan.  He’s my guide, even more for what he stands for. Play what you feel is right, change things up if you aren’t feeling it and be honest. People can smell b***s*** and Neil always spoke the truth. I try to hold myself up to that. I could go on and on about how Dylan has influenced me to push my lyrics, but I’d rather talk about the less obvious ones. Christopher Owens of the band Girls is a beautiful songwriter and he is paying beautiful homage a vintage sound, all the while making his songs and band sound cutting edge. He’s been a big one for me over the last year. Jack White’s work ethic keeps me on my toes. Jeff Tweedy’s ability to make a soft song cut so deep is also inspiring. As for my guitar playing, I’ve been really into Rory Gallagher, Joe South and Michael Hurley, but I always make my way back to Neil when I need to unapologetically rock the f*** out.

T-BoNE’S : You just played SxSW, how were you received?  Do you feel that those performances gave the audiences there an accurate picture of Country Mice?

RUEGER: For the most part yes.  Our sets were solid but the usual problems with SXSW were here again this year.  Short sets and even shorter sound checks can be tricky, as well as maintaining your voice over the duration of the week.  It’s all part of the SXSW challenge, and I think we weathered it well. Good response and a good time for sure.

T-BoNE’S : What is your history as a band?  Was there a moment or a song where you felt like everything crystallized that you should be together?

RUEGER: About 4 years ago I moved to New York looking to start a new band in a new music scene.  Not knowing anyone in New York my good friend introduced me to Ben, also noting that he too plays guitar.  We started hanging out, recording a bit and that was it for a few months.  I was interning at a record label as well at the time, and one day Kurt walked in and started working next to me. While packaging Danava promotional albums we discussed music, bands we’ve been in and he mentioned he was a drummer. By the day’s end we had decided he should come play with Ben and I.  Ever since our first rehearsal I knew we were on to something.  Mike joined in about a year later and thats been our lineup since.

T-BoNE’S : How did you get hooked up with Wao Wao and the Kanine label?

RUEGER: While interning at previously mentioned record label,  we had set up our first Myspace page with a few songs on there.  Lio (Kanine) also worked at the label and we knew he was an important guy to know around town.   We simply took a plunge and sent him the link and asked him straight up what he thought.  He loved the songs and booked our first show 3 weeks later.  We kept our relationship with him, put out a successful 7″ which led us to our first full length.

T-BoNE’S: It’s been a year since Twister, have you prepared a new album?  If so, how does it differ from your  first.  Do you feel like this one reflects more of your current lives on the road?

RUEGER: Yeah, we’ve just finished recording our second LP out in Los Angeles.  Our first album was recorded in Mike’s (bass) mom’s basement, so we wanted to challenge ourselves and work in a bigger studio with a producer this time around.  We loved the albums Doug Boehm has done (Girls, The Whigs, Dr. Dog, Booker T) and worked on setting up a time to record with him. A month ago we headed out to LA, and finished it. He was amazing to work with. We’ve expanded on our sound this time around.  All I’ll say at this point is we’ve really drawn on the influences and tones of our late 60s and early 70s heroes. 

T-BoNE’S: What music are you fine folks listening to on the road to get through these long drives and spans of time?

RUEGER: We try and keep our van (St. Steve) loaded with new music each trip, so prior to hitting the road we spent some time converting our LP collections to CD.  So far we’ve been rolling along to Link Wray, Loretta Lynn, Leon Russell, Yo La Tengo, Tinariwen, Tim Buckley, Funkadelic, Girls, The Midgetmen, Quilt, T Rex among many many others.

T-BoNE’S: Finally, how would you describe yourself to the waiting audience here in Hattiesburg?

RUEGER: We provide the rock and roll sauce to your daily life sandwich.

For more about Country Mice visit:  http://www.countrymicemusic.com/

*There are NO sellers fees.  The more vendors the merrier!  We also are looking for artists, photographers, etc for vendors.  We are an Equal Opportunity Swap!  If you’re interested in selling, please send an e-mail to tbone@tbonescafe.com.  You will need to provide your own table.