FIVES: Must Buy Record Store Day 2015 Releases

Its that time of year again when music-buying lovers queue outside their favourite independent record store for hours all in the name of Record Store Day. As always, the day sees music fans, labels and bands coming together to celebrate independent stores by releasing limited, one-day releases.

This year is no different as Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Mastodon, SiKth, and Lonely The Brave are some of the names getting in on the act this year.

However despite some big names producing one-off releases for Record Store Day, Already Heard’s Rob Mair highlights five must buy RSD releases in the latest edition of “Fives”.

NOTE: Obviously, massive props to anyone who gets a copy of Brand New’s ‘Deja Entendu’, The Decemberists ‘Picaresque’ or Pele’s ‘Elephant’, but as they’re not on the official UK list, we discounted them.

Gameface – Every Last Time
While Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids hit the big time in the late 90s/early 00s, Gameface remained very much under the radar, despite them delivering an absolute classic of the emo/punk explosion of the era in ‘Every Last Time’. From the driving ‘Pirate Song’ to the insanely catchy ‘My Star’, ‘Every Last Time’ stands up to the output of their more lauded peers and deserves a much wider audience. I normally forgo the straight reissues on Record Store Day, but for one of my all-time favourite records, I’ll make an exception. Limited to 1,500 copies on translucent gold.

Tim Kasher/Chris Farren – You Be Me For A While
So, the story goes something like this: Farren (Fake Problems) reached out to Kasher (Cursive, The Good Life) about putting out a split. Farren recorded a song and sent the lyrics and chords to Kasher. Kasher did the same then sent the lyrics and chords to Farren. They then recorded their version of the song without ever hearing the original. Definitely the sort of thing I want to hear on Record Store Day. 500 on grey vinyl.

Leatherface – Razor Blades and Aspirin – 1990-1993
Mammoth retrospective of the legendary Sunderland punk band, focusing on the years 1990-93. Three individually-wrapped 12-inch records (‘Minx’, ‘Mush’ and ‘Fill Your Boots’,) and 3 CDs which include the albums and a host of bonus material make this hugely appealing. ‘Fill your Boots’ indeed. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Various – Sensible Record Labels
Curated by Alcopop! Records and featuring a host of our favourite record labels, this compilation will be available for the ridiculously low price of £10 and is a must for any bargain hunter. As well as featuring a load of unheard exclusives from the likes of Woahnows, Simmer, Tellison and Best Friends, it also comes with a download code giving you access to hundreds of bonus MP3s and content. Pressed on milky clear with red/black/yellow crush vinyl – all of which look completely unique – and limited to 500 copies nationwide, do the sensible thing.

Death Cab For Cutie/Freedy Johnston – Bad Reputation
Culled from the ‘Plans’ recording session, this split release sees Death Cab For Cutie take on Freedy Johnston’s ‘Bad Reputation’, a minor hit in 1994, with the original on the flip side. Limited to 500 and part of the Rhino ‘Side By Side’ series.

Record Store Day 2015 takes place on Saturday April 18th.

Record Store Day links: Website|Facebook|Twitter

Words by Rob Mair (@BobNightMair)