Dumb Records is an all ages show space and independent record store in the heart of Springfield downtown, which has evolved from The Black Sheep Cafe, an all ages DIY punk venue which existed 2005-2018. Black Sheep gave birth to Dumb Records in 2014.

Black Sheep Cafe 2012

Our Story:
What began pretty much on a whim, an urge, and a leap of faith became realized when a group of friends that were in various local Springfield bands decided to start an all ages space in August of 2005.  At the time there was a dire need to start something for our community and have a positive, all ages environment that was fun and safe.  So in August of that year an empty building next to Skank Skates began to be renovated and reorganized to house the space.  Shortly thereafter we had our first show at what became known as “The Black Sheep Cafe” which was a benefit, September 17th.  At that initial outing bands that would go on to germinate and pollinate various local bands all played the event.  The beginings of our modern ska scene (Bastognes Best), metal scene (The Mourning After), and straight edge scene (Solemn Vow) all played as well as other local stallwarts.

The first year was tough.  Many changes were made to the building to bring it up to code and the original owners and bands with the help of George Sinclair made it happen.  After the initial buzz of the venue began to fade and regular show goers began to congregate, an identity and far reaching goal and purpose were still yet to be attained.  The shows were consistent but with all things you do on a leap of faith you have to learn what works and what doesn’t.  Some shows were good, some were bad.  Also through the summer of 2006 many touring bands began to play The Sheep and our vision began to be expanded beyond our local scene only.  Many bands that rose to prominence in the American underground in the mid 2000’s began to come through.  The original tours were sometimes shaky but also fun.

Towards the end of July of 2006 the only original owner left was Kevin.  For various reasons the other owners all had to step down over the spring/summer of that year.  After their departures the future of The Sheep looked iffy.  In their absence Kevin began to assemble a crew of people that called the place home to help him keep it afloat. Fortunately for him people cared and the idea that a DIY space for the community was in fact a good idea. Cory VanMeter took on the reigns of running a new booking email and keeping things more organized in that aspect.

The Black Sheep continued trucking along for years and hundreds upon hundreds of shows, and thousands of bands and performers, into a new decade. Brian Galecki moved back to Springfield from Champaign in the summer of 2012 and “revolution fall” lead to a new stage being built and other renovations to the venue to adapt to more modern times. “Dumb Fest” also started in 2013 and established The Black Sheep and Springfield as a place where punks from all over the country gathered for a weekend for the next six years. Close to a little over a year later at the start of 2014, Brian took on opening up Dumb Records right next door to go hand-in-hand with Black Sheep. Brandon Carnes also opened up Southtown Studio around the same time- now our little block included our long running show space, our own record store, and recording studio – not to mention the long running skatepark still next door.

In the spring of 2015 Kevin felt it was his time to retire from Black Sheep, and Brandon, Brian, and Miles Fowler took the reins. Brandon and Miles both moved to Pittsburg around a year later, and the team evolved into Brian, BJ Pearce, Drew Kodrich, and Clare Frachey. The team continued continued to find creative ways of utilizing the space for all different corners of the Springfield music and arts communities such as band lottos, open mics, art shows, hip hop shows, and workshops.

In the summer of 2018 after long drawn out differences between us and our landlord, it was not easy, but we made the decision that it was time to give up our home of 13 years and start looking elsewhere. We only decided that a move would happen once we found a new perfect home and in the fall of 2018 the opportunity to take on a lease at two different spaces side by side downtown – 416 and 418 E Monroe St. presented itself. We truly feel that this move is for the best and are excited to be taking our operation downtown and into the heart of Springfield into the future.

The end of 2018 brought a bittersweet run of final shows and visits of old and new friends from all over the country. Saying goodbye to our home for so long was not easy, but thankfully we were doing it while looking forward and preparing for what was next in our endeavors to continue to provide Springfield with an all ages performance and art space.

From the wreckage of Black Sheep and Dumb Records original locations, Dumb Records moved to a new location in Downtown Springfield in 2019. It was always a dream to be downtown and here we are. Since then we’ve been here slinging records, hosting all ages shows, and even opened an arcade. We’re still going strong, maybe stronger than ever in some ways, with new generations of kids coming out to shows, and new waves of bands hitting the scene.

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