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.

Hi I’m The Guy In The Mall Who Hands Out Chicken Feet And I’m All Out Of Chicken Feet

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If you’ve been reading the news lately, you might have seen where we are now best buds with the new pinball spot downtown, Vault 66. Working together we hope to keep this place open more hours during the week and perhaps further expansion, more games, leagues, tournaments, all the fun stuff down the road.

Regular admission to the Vault also gets you access to the Dumb Records arcade, just a block away. Regular admission to the Vault is typically $10, $5 during certain downtown events. The Vault currently has 12 pinball machines, many of which are pretty new. We hope to add more over time along with video arcades.

It is currently located in the old Cafe Moxo dining room on Adams.

Speaking of pinball, our next pinball tournament at Dumb Records is this Friday. Warmups and registration starts at 6, tourney starts at 7. Admission is only $7 and points will be registered with IFPA and PRPA for the event.

Also tonight downtown (Wednesday) is the next Food Not Bombs Karoake fundraiser.

Here are those tasty new releases coming out Friday!
– METALLICA’s 1997 album RELOAD is being reissued. I am pretty sure this is the one that everyone says is their best album, right?
– DROPKICK MURPHYS and HAYWIRE have a split 12″ called “New England Forever” one of those bands played at our store earlier this year, you have to guess which one.
– ALICIA KEYS “Songs In A Minor” is being re-issued.
– FALLING IN REVERSE have a new studio album “The Drug In Me Is You” – we should have copies on exclusive red vinyl.
– A re-issue of the Stax Records compilation “Stax Does The Beatles” (on black and also colored vinyl)
– Rock band TURNOVER have their 6th studio album “Down On Earth” and we will have copies on exclusive green vinyl.
– K-POP group called ZEROBASEONE have a new album out called “Ascend” and there are different album covers for each member of the group! 

This week Pepperoni Picked Billy Joel:

“I new this day would eventually come. It’s time to pick the greatest hits (Volumes I & II) from one of the greatest. One of the greatest songwriters and piano players of all time – Billy Joel. The piano man himself, one of the biggest and most successful pop / rock artists of all time, you know every song on this double LP compilation is a HIT in all caps. I thought about picking his album “The Stranger” because it’s my personal favorite, but then again there’s a whole five songs off of that album on this greatest hits. We sell Billy Joel used records in our store all day long as well, but I figure it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have new copies of his greatest hits at all time! Enjoy!”

Something else fun lately. Brian was visiting the Peoria Riverfront Museum and happened to run into Jerry and Mary Ann Wilam right near the Golden Voice wall. These folks were responsible for recording a lot of great central IL albums in the 70s including the coveted Farm album, Head East, Journey, and more.

WHO ARE YOU THERES ALWAYS A BLOND GUY AT THE DESK

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Sorry I’ve been out for a week or 2 and we have not been updating this site. Well that ends now.

This Sunday we have a show downtown. One of those hardcore things

Here’s all those new vinyls dropping this Friday!

– A bunch of reissues from rapper CHANCE THE RAPPER. This includes his albums “Coloring Book”, “Star Line”, and “The Big Day” – all being pressed to colored vinyl.
– More reissues from MASAYOSHI TAKANAKA (80’s Japanese jazz fushion and city pop). We will have his albums “Natsu Zen Kai” and “Finger Dancin” on colored vinyl.
– Ska punk masterpiece from 1996, THE SUICIDE MACHINES album “Destruction By Definition” is being pressed on red vinyl.
– A new one from hippie jam band GOOSE. Called “Big Modern!” we are not sure what color of vinyl we are getting for that one.

This week Pepperoni picked that polka dot band

“You already know what this is – all weekend every record store in the world has been posting that they are stocked with records from this POLKA DOT BAND aka “Angine De Poitrine.” They are French Canadian, and I’m not even going to try to pronounce that name. This wacky duo is their own beat of math rock, utilizing loops and other pedals in their setup- what’s really impressive is how they pull that off wearing those ridiculous costumes. Just about the buzziest band we’ve seen on the internet in a minute – but do we think their music will hold up when the internet hype dies down? I think it will.”

Since we’re behind on updates, here’s some other stuff that’s been happening. First we had a great time at the Olivia Rodrigo midnight release party.

There was much love for the legendary Los Angeles punk Alice Bag who performed in our downtown store along with another great Chicago punk band Clickbait

Brian and Jeff were spotted together last week at the new pinball spot downtown, Vault 66.

Gallina’s Bathroom Is Broken So They’re Sending Everyone Here

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Time to get on those black duds and come on downtown tonight!

Also this Friday at the Mall we’re having a listening party for the new Paul McCartney album along with giveways, drawing and special color variants of the album only available during the party!

These are all the new records releasing this Friday!

– PAUL McCARTNEY “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane” ! We will have copies on black and pink vinyl in both stores, however there is a silver variant that will only be available at our mall store listening party this Friday at 6pm along with other goodies!
– DANZIG I and DANZIG II are getting re-issued once again (after they just were last month, but we just can’t get enough) – this time on white and red vinyl.
– BOARDS OF CANADA have a brand new album called “Inferno” and we will have copies on red and black vinyl.
– RSD essentials is also reissuing Smashing Pumpkins 1991 debut studio album “Gish” on a purple / silver marbled vinyl!
– American hip hop duo GNARLS BARKLEY have a new album “Atlanta” out and we will have copies on seafoam green.
– Not pictured, but folk artist KURT VILE has a new album “Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me” we will have at both stores as well.

This week Pepperoni picked Ween

“Pepper anyone? This is the 2000 album by American weirdo rock band Ween, “White Pepper.” It’s been unavailable to us on vinyl (along with most of Ween’s other albums) but was recently reissued. I’ve always thought of Ween as a band that is impossible to pin-down genre wise. I mean take a look at this album. It starts off as nice Beatles influenced 90’s sounding pop rock, but then we get to this track “Banana’s And Blow” and it’s clearly Ween doing their version of Jimmy Buffett. Then we take things into the next track “Stroker Ace” and what is this, a fast Motörhead diddy? The album is kind of a wild ride all over the place from there, but trust me it’s good.”

We had fun last Saturday at Pepperoni Pizza’s Hardbody Pinball Tournament. We had a new record number of players at 25!

Due to an absence of some great Springfield Pinball players, Jeff was actually able to get 3rd.

How Does The Ping Pong Work?

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This Saturday is our next Pinball Tournament featuring Peppeorni Pizza’s Hardbody. Come out for prizes and boost your standings with all the official pinball orgs.

Also this Friday we got a heavy show happening Downtown.

Here are all the fresh hot vinyls coming out this Friday!

This week Pepperoni picked Otis Redding

“My pick this week is Otis Redding’s classic album “The Dock of the Bay.” We’re definitely due for more picks to have in our soul section at all times, and this is essential. Dock of the Bay was actually released posthumously – Otis tragically died in a plane crash at 26 years old, and some of the tracks were recorded just days before his death. Some other notable musicians play on this as well including Booker T. Jones and Isaac Hayes.”

Pull up to the Mall for a Wild Ride to Gum Town

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There’s a big weekend coming up with Pride Fest and the Old Capital Art Fair all happening downtown. We’re also hosting a show in our downtown space in support.

Here are the hot new vinyls coming out this Friday:

– THE BEACH BOYS “The Pet Sounds Sessions” – compiling tracks from the band’s 1966 album and its recording sessions onto a double black LP release!
– YUNGBLUD with his fifth studio album “Idols II” out on clear vinyl.
– KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD “Italian Feast” – this is a live recording of a concert in New York last year, out on a 12″ picture disc record, and a 7″ flexi napkin for an all around good meal.
– TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN Part 1 AND Part 2 Soundtracks are coming out on vinyl! One of them is brown and another is red vinyl.
– KEVIN MORBY American songwriter / musician out with a new album “Little Wide Open” on eco-mix vinyl

This week Pepperoni picked the Dead Milkmen

“Big elephant in my front yard… can’t afford to feed him anymore!! This is Philadelphia “cowpunk” band The Dead Milkmen’s debut album from 1985 in case you did not know! It’s been in high demand ever since we opened this here record store and has not gotten a wide re-press that has been available to us pretty much until now. (Let’s hope we are able to keep plenty of copies in stock!) Those of you who know this album know how much of a punk rock classic it is. “Bitchin’ Camaro,” “Nutrition,” “Swordfish” this album has an ENDLESS amount of Dead Milkmen classics, 21 tracks total. Absolutely essential!!”

We have a new sweet boy at the Mall, his name is Oscar. He’ll take your gumballs on a Wild Ride

Oh and a sneak peek into next week, we will be hosting our 2nd Pinball Tournament!

One Hour of Tornado Siren Is Not Enough

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See here for a show coming up this Friday at the downtown record store

Here’s all the new titles coming out on vinyl this Friday
– THE DEAD MILKMEN “BIG LIZARD IN MY BACKYARD” – this one was previously scheduled for later in the month but at some point the release date was bumped to this Friday!!! We ordered a ton!!!
– WEEN has TWO reissues coming out, and we also ordered a ton!! Their 2000 album “White Pepper” and their 2003 album “Quebec” both out on colored vinyl!
– CAMERA OBSCURA’s 2001 indie pop album “Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi” is also getting the re-issue treatment! Finally!!
– A Dumb Records employee favorite THE LEMON TWIGS have a new album out! It’s called “Look For Your Mind” and I don’t know what color we are getting.
– Last but not least THE CLAYPOOL-LENNON DELERIUM have a new ablum with a really long title: “The Great Parrot And The Golden Egg Of Empathy” out on double green vinyl.

This week Pepperoni picked Hamilton

“Here at Dumb Records, we have always been the store where the girls come in and say “ooOOOH MY GoD KaiTYLN TheY HaVE A CAT!!” But after my pick this week, we can also be the store where the girls come in and say “OHHHH MY GOD AMANDA, THEY hAVE HAMILToN 10 SHOTS on VINYL!!!” That is right, Hamilton… 10 shots… as in 10 essential tracks from the Broadway Grammy-award-winning and pulitzer-prize-winning musical. Including tracks “My Shot,” “Satisfied,” and “Wait For It!” Now at both Dumb and Dumber Records!”