Wet

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It’s been a tough,wet time for us lately. One of the largest water main breaks in recent times in Springfield happened right outside our downtown store. The street turned into a river in a matter of minutes and probably took about 2 hours for the city to shut it off.

We were shut down Thursday evening and all day Friday. Fortunately the water receeded by Friday and we were able to get our power back on and reopen half the store on Saturday. Our basement got a foot of water and we’ve had to throw away a lot of stuff that was stored down there. We worked quickly to save as much of the valuable backstock as we could as our basement was flooding. We’re busy now rebuilding our shelving down there and getting everything back to normal which will probably spill into next week.

Of course we count ourselves lucky in comparison to the Bus Stop who got it the worst with their entire finished basement submerged with all their inventory and equipment. They still don’t have power in that building and may not for weeks. They were about to have their grand opening that Friday, and the cherry on top for them is their insurance won’t cover it.

It’s been a lot of work. Some have come out to help us with the grunt work of pulling things up from the basement to dump in a dumpster outside and now building new shelves to organize records yet to be put out in the store, and loaning dehumidifiers and fans.

For some positive news we had a great time at the first pinball tournament at Vault 66 Pinball last Friday. 44 contestants entered. Many new players, many returning players, and overall lots of people having a great time.

Congrats to our winners!
1. James Darr
2. Terry Goforth
3. Joe Sharpe
4. Claudio Copello
Kat Davis – highest qualifier and winner of the Punk Rock Pinball Gold Pin.

This week we have Goth Night on Friday, downtown, which is still on!

We’re still pumping out those juicy records, here’s what’s slated for Friday!

– THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD soundtrack on double black vinyl! This one will surely be a hot one, the video gamers out there sure do love that game.
– NIRVANA compilation and rarities album “Incesticide” is getting a reissue on black vinyl.
– Neil Young album “Tonight’s The Night” (hard to find original copies of that one) coming out on black vinyl.
– Another Zelda related release, “Zelda & Jazz” by the Deku Trio on clear green vinyl.
– AMYL & THE SNIFFERS have a live album coming out called “Truth Of Consequence”.
– CHARLEY CROCKETT has yet another album coming out called “Clovis” it’s a double LP and we might have some copies on black and some copies on color vinyl.
– Last but not least The Simpsons: “SONGS IN THE KEY OF SPRINGFIELD” – how could we not order a bunch of these, it is perfect for us. (Pink and yellow vinyl).

This week Pepperoni picks Skynyrd for some reason

“My pick this week is a classic – a Southern rock quintessential album. Released 50 years ago, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1976 album “Second Helping.” Before you all ask, YES this has Sweet Home Alabama on it, it’s what starts the whole album off. A song that has become everyone’s hometown anthem – even for all of us who have never lived in or even near Alabama. We just all love to sing it at the bars and for karaoke and pretend we live in Alabama. That’s the one hit on this that everyone knows, but the rest of the album is good as well I promise. Pick up a copy at Dumb or Dumber Records today!”

Some of you been asking for the Pepperoni shirts. They’re back in stock downtown! We also just got restocked on the blue logo shirts currently at the mall store and soon downtown as well.

Skeleton Shopping Week

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This Saturday is our next pinball tournament. It will be the first tournament held at Vault 66 Pinball and is also a Stern Pinball Launch Party for Transformers. There will be prizes, a cool trophy for 1st place, and a little contest for our bottom 4 contestents.

Here are the hot releases happening this Friday!

– BILLY STRINGS with his fifth studio album “So Much For Goodbyes” out on double LP, we will have that indie yellow vinyl!
– MASTODON with their ninth studio album “Marrow Deep”. We will have copies on black vinyl as well as the exclusive clear.
– POST MALONE is issuing his debut mixtape “August 26th” on vinyl to celebrate its 10th anniversary or something. We will have copies on bright green vinyl and black.
– There’s a new DINOSAUR JR. album coming out called “There Near.” We should have copies on black and maybe some on exclusive pink vinyl.
*There is a lot this week! A few honorable mentions below that we will have a few of in each store:
– ALABAMA SHAKES “I Must Be Dreaming”
– ALEX WARREN “Wildchild”
– INTERPOL “This Mirror Weighs A Ton”
– SARA BAREILLES “Good Grief”
– CZARFACE Meets Frankie Pulitzer
– (not pictured) THE CRAMPS “Gravest Hits”

This week Pepperoni picked Ella Langley

“Everyone was already coming in and requesting Ella Langley’s album “Dandelion” long before she was announced for the Illinois State Fair Grandstand this year. This up and coming American country artist easily hit the top of the Billboard 200 with this album of hers, and also topped the Billboard 100 songs with the hit “Cousin Texas”. Of course she also performed this past Friday at the state fair grandstand – did any of you out there go, and how was it? Surely they came close to hitting an attendance record? Well, if you are a fan of Ella Langley and are itchin’ to own a copy of her album Dandelion on vinyl – look no further than Dumb Records!”

Kendall County Republicans Can Buy The Elephant For 1 Million Dollars

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This is an action packed 3 show week at our downtown record store. We already had a show on Tuesday and this one is coming up on Thursday!

And then we have this show happening on Saturday.

– WEEZER “Weezer” (it’s their gold album) (we did an advance listening party this past Friday at the mall and it sounds good!) We will have copies on gold and black viny.
– THE 1975 “Being Funny In A Foreign Language” – their album that was released just four years ago in 2022 is getting reissued, on clear vinyl!
– 21 PILOTS “More Than We Ever Imagined” – a new double live album from 21 Pilots! We will have some copies on red vinyl.
– Insane Clown Posse “The Great Milenko” – reissue from Record Store Day, it’s been pushed back at least once already this summer, we ordered 30 copies and are getting 3…
– NO CURE “It Is Going To Get Dark” – red vinyl. A big hardcore band that played here one time!

Last week we had a couple album release parties. We had a fun time with our blacklights playing Phoebe Bridgers at midnight.

We also had a good time at the mall listening to the new Weezer for the first time.

And just a reminder we got a great deal going on downtown to visit 2 arcades for $10, unlimited all day!

I RIPPED MY SHORTS

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This Thursday we’re doing a midnight release for the new Phoebe Bridgers album downtown. It’s been too long since she’s released a new album and I guess she was waiting so it would be a big deal. Time to stay up late and get sad!

Next week downtown we have 3 shows happening. This one is next tuesday and you can check our shows page to see what else is coming up after that.

Here’s all that new new vinyl happening on Friday
– Of course PHOEBE BRIDGERS with her third full length album “Lost Weekend” and we will have copies on exclusive glow-in-the-dark and also black vinyl. We are having a MIDNIGHT RELEASE for this Thursday night downtown!
– A new one from British neo-soul band JUNGLE called “Sunshine” and we will have copies on peach colored vinyl.
– MARILYN MANSON is back again… with a “Chapter 2” sequel to his 2024 album. On pick/red vinyl.
– A new one from Los Angeles girl group KATSEYE called “Wild” on aquamarine vinyl.
– Last but not least a couple of reissues from punk band DESCENDENTS – their albums “ALL” and “Liveage!”

This week Pepperoni picked The Great Pumpkin

“Did you know that spooky season is upon us? I don’t care that the Illinois State Fair hasn’t even happened yet, it is time to start planning your Halloween costumes, wearing fall clothes, buying pumpkin scented candles!!! And most important of all, it is time to make sure the original soundtrack for “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” by Vince Guaraldi is in your record collections!! We are talking fall essentials here!! This has got the jazzier version of the Peanuts song on it, it’s got “Graveyard Theme,” it’s got “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” for crying out loud! So what are you waiting for Charlie Brown, put on your costume and head down to Dumb Records to pick one up today!”

The Illinois Times “Best Ofs” nominations have started. You can vote for Vault 66 Pinball for best new business downtown, and you can pick our big green elephant for best place to take a selfie!

Soon To Be A Drug Dealers HQ, You Can Bet Your Life On That

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We had a ribbon cutting last weekend of our new Vault 66 Pinball arcade, now with more rooms full of arcade games and the brand new Transformers pinball. It’s now open more throughout the week with expanded hours.

This week we have a hip hop show downtown on Friday.

Here are the new vinyl releases coming out on Friday

– American singer/songwriter ROLE MODEL is here with his third studio album “Chuck Timely.” We should have copies on both pink and orange vinyl.
– SLEEP TOKEN are releasing their newest album “Even In Arcadia” – but just the instrumental version! For all of us that don’t want to listen to their singing.
– California hardcore punk band CEREMONY have a new album “Tell Me Your Dream” on tri-colored vinyl.
– October is right around the corner so they had to issue IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN on zoetrope vinyl.
– KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD have another “Europe ’25” (part 2 this time) on triple splatter vinyl, wow-ee!

We had fun at the Ariana Grande listening party at the mall last weekend too!

More shots from the Vault 66 Pinball grand opening

First Graffiti, Then Fights, Kissing, And Now A Giant Human Poop

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Well we really gone and done it this time. We’ve been partnering with Vault 66 Pinball and have been working on a big expansion for that space. Starting Saturday it will have a selection of arcade games plus the new Transformers pinball. This was totally not in the plans 2 months ago, things just kinda happened. We’ll be handing out free tote bags and stickers during Saturday’s Grand Opening, plus there will be food conveniently right outside the doors to make this a really fun day. Going forward we are expanding the hours of the Vault as well.

Backing things up a day. On Friday we will be hosting our next Pinball Tournament at Dumb Records. Even if you’re bad at pinball, you will now have another chance to win a prize with a bottom 4 contest at the end of the evening. After the tournament we will all be getting a sneak peek of the the new stuff at Vault 66.

For something not pinball related this weekend, we are also hosting an Ariana Grande Release party at our store at White Oaks Mall. Come out for some exclusive givaways and a drawing for a big prize.

Here’s all the new new coming out on Friday

– ARIANA GRANDE’s eighth studio album “Petal” comes out this weekend and we should have copies on both clear and white vinyl. This is a “locked” release so that means our shipment will not arrive until later in the day Friday – we also might be holding most of our copies to make sure we have at the release party at our mall location at 6pm on Saturday!
– American country act SHABOOZEY is back with a brand new album called “The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales” – on double LP (we will have some indie exclusive and also some black copies)
– GREEN DAY with “Nimrods: The Soundtrack” – a soundtrack for their new movie? musical? what is this? Some indie exclusive smoke copies and some black.
– Another WEEN reissue this time for their 1996 album “12 Golden Country Greats” – this is the deluxe version of the album, 2 hours long and pressed onto three discs!
– Classic 80’s metal band QUEENSRŸCHE and the reissue of their second studio album “Rage For Order,” on black vinyl.

This week Pepperoni Picked Elliott Smith

“My pick this week is the 1997 album from American singer / songwriter Elliott Smith, “Either/Or.” On Rolling Stones top 500 albums of all time list, Either/Or is a monumental indie rock masterpiece, created by a troubled man who struggled with severe depression for what sounds like most of his life, which shows through his music and lyrics. Hit songs include “Between The Bars,” “Say Yes,” and “Miss Misery.” This is the indie exclusive red vinyl version we have in store right now. Check it out and pick one up at Dumb or Dumber Records!”

I Got My Nose Broken Playing Backstage Basketball With The Main Guy From The Holdsteady

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We’re in the midst of a string of shows downtown. We just had one last night and this one is coming up on Friday.

Then Saturday we have a Electric Grotto Seapunk Rave, probably the first Drag Rave we’ve ever had.

Looks like this Friday is going to be pretty PACKED with hot and fresh vinyls!

– It’s Music, Fashion, Film week, y’all and CHARLI XCX has a new album coming out with that title. On both smoke vinyl and regular black.
– THE STROKES are here with their seventh studio album “Reality Awaits” and their first in six years. On black glitter vinyl and also regular black.
– STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO are reissuing all of their albums (except Keasby Nights), so we ordered a bunch of “Everything Goes Numb” and “Somewhere In The Between”. (Ska)
– THE SMITHS greatest hits compilations “Best… I” and “Best… II” are both getting reissues on black vinyl, we should have both.
– There is a new PRIMUS EP coming out called “A Handful of Nuggs,” on gold colored vinyl.
– SHANIA TWAIN has a new album coming out called “Little Miss Twain,” being released on a few different color variants.
– Pop star TYLA with a new album “A*Pop” we will have.
– Not pictured but there are some later DAVID BOWIE releases being reissued including his final album “Black Star” which we should hopefully have a couple copies of.

This week Pepperoni picked Pierce the Veil

“Do you guys have any Pierce The Veil? Is a question we hear all too often around here, especially at our mall store! I must admit I am not familiar with this band (they were a little after my time I guess) – decided to put on their 2012 album “Collide With The Sky” in the store yesterday. It felt like a Hot Topic in here! I rushed to my dressing room to put on eyeliner, grew out my emo bangs really quick and also pierced my eyebrows, and lips. Now I felt ready to rock out to this band. So this is my pick this week. Enjoy!”

Meanwhile we’ve been loading in a bunch of arcade machines into Vault 66 and hopefully will have them all setup in time for the grand opening on August 1st!

Anyone Want Cucumbers?

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Last week we had fun at the Jack White album release party at Jack White Oaks Mall

This Friday we are hosting a benefit metal show for the new WQNA local radio station, made up of real people who are not robots and making original radio programs in the community.

Saturday we are hosting an extremely rare one-of-a-kind matinee folk show downtown, featuring The Gordons. Some vinyl record enthusiasts may be familiar with the highly coveted Farm record, a 70s psych rock record recorded in central IL, which if you find one today its worth probably a million dollars. Well here they are today! Also Tom Irwin will be on the bill too!

Here are those hot new vinyls coming out this Friday!

– GRACIE ABRAMS with her third studio album “Daughter From Hell” – we will have copies on black vinyl and on CD.
– A reissue of the classic BUBBLE PUPPY 1969 psych album “A Gathering of Promises”
– Metalcore band CONVERGE with their second release to come out this year, “Hum Of Hurt” on special gold vinyl.
– Indie / punk band THE MENZINGERS with a new album “Everything I Ever Saw” we will have copies on exclusive black/green mix and also plain black.
– A reissue of the CHET BAKER classic “Chet Baker Sings” on black vinyl.

This week Pepperoni picked another Outkast record

“This is hip hop duo Outkast’s second studio album “Atliens” that I am picking for my pick this week! Originally released in 1996, this is a double LP full of songs clocking in at close to an hour. No it does not have “Hey Ya” on it, the hits on this album were “Atliens / Wheelz of Steel,” “Elevators (Me And You),” and “Jazzy Belle.” Congrats to Outkast for being accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year as well, we were do in for another Pepperoni’s pick for them! Now throw your hands in the air, and wave ’em like you just don’t care!”

We recently had a proposal happen in our store. These two met randomly in like for Record Store day and will now live happily ever after.

We also went on a road trip this week to grab some arcade games for Vault 66 Pinball so people can stop belly aching that it’s only pinball. These won’t be playable just yet, but perhaps soon once we get the rest of the space finished up.

Is That Mitch?

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Tonight, Jack White Oaks Mall, send it

Here are all the releases coming out this Friday:

– ROLLING STONES have a NEW album out called “Foreign Tongues.” We should have copies on green vinyl, black vinyl, and CD. You all already know that this is the oldest band alive.
– INSANE CLOWN POSSE with a limited pressing of their 1997 album “The Great Milenko” on clear vinyl. (Whoop whoop)
– A deluxe, double teal vinyl pressing of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE’s last album “Danger Days”
– The soundtrack for some really popular TV show called HEATED RIVALRY that I have been told a ton of people are going to freak out over, on colored vinyl.
– And of course JACK WHITE of the White Stripes ‘s new album “Frozen Charlotte” on blue and also black vinyl. We will be selling these at the advance release party tomorrow as well.

This week Pepperoni picked Ween again

“You all asked for it, so here it is. My second Ween pick this year, the group’s 2003 double album “Quebec.” As per usual with Ween, it’s weird, the songs are good, and they are hard to pin-point genre-wise. I want to circle pit to the first song but then it takes me on a ride through Beatles-esque or Leonard Cohen influenced tracks. One of these songs was in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2.”

oh yea we also recently got some new shirts stocked downtown

Dog?

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Vault 66 Pinball has been hoppin’ downtown this week as we slightly expanded the operating hours. Hopefully in a few weeks we’ll be ready to expand the hours further. TMNT and D&D pinballs have just recently been added as well!

Last week we held our 3rd official pinball tournament, here’s a glance at our winners for the evening.

Here are those new vinyls coming out this Friday that you’ve been waiting for!

– MADONNA with her 15th studio album “Confessions II” – there are a few different variants of this release, and we should have some of the indie exclusive white flavor.
– A reissue of the 1982 album “Miami” by THE GUN CLUB.
– A band that is almost 60 years old, DEEP PURPLE with their 25th studio album “Splat!” we should have copies on both purple and black vinyl.
– KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD have a new compilation that is the best-of their previous demos compilation called “From Demos To Demons.”
– A new compilation of GOTH MUSIC we thought some of you might enjoy is coming out called “Dressed In Black: Goth Divas From The Dark Side” featuring music from 1941 to 2025??

This week Pepperoni Picked Sade:

“My pick this week is Sade, pronounced SHAH-day, Nigerian-British female singer songwriter who we’ve seen a resurgence of people coming in and asking for recently! (What’s up with that? Why are so many of you finding out about Sade all of a sudden!) Her album “Diamond Life” was released in 1984 and is the one we find original copies of from time to time (usually they don’t stick around long). That album opens up with the classic song “Smooth Operator” which is also on her greatest hits, which is what I am picking this week. This compilation was originally released in 1994, so it cover hits from her first four albums. Enjoy!”

With all the pinball going on, we can’t forget we have pinball also in our Dumb Records arcade downtown, and it looks like something new has just moved in.