Tag Archives: pinball

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!”

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.

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!

Record Store Day Saturday April 18th!

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RSD is coming up quick, even the mailman is excited. We printed bags and shirts with our exclusive RSD 2026 design. Each store will have 50 of each for the first 100 people in line.

We just published on Facebook all the titles where we only received 1 copy and which store to find those. Titles not on the list will be available at both stores. People can start lining up at the mall starting no earlier than 5am. People can start lining up downtown whenever. Also coffee and donuts will be available downtown.

If you’re coming to the mall to line up, the line will at this entrance (pictured) next to Simon Youth Learning Academy.

Something brand new we’re offering this time is our first actual Dumb Recs Plushies! You can get your own stuffed Pepperoni and Green Elephant!

This Sunday we’re hosting Park, Spitalfield, and Danny Stevens. You’ll want to get your tickets in advance

This week Pepperoni picked Mac Demarco

“I have not yet picked an album from Canadian musician boy Mac DeMarco. This is his second album “Salad Days” from 2014. This was actually recorded in his New York apartment, on a Fostex A-8 recording machine, I guess really giving it that lofi bedroom feel. This is some indie, jangly type rock. Make you feel good. Pick up a copy at Dumb Records or Dumber Records today!”

We had fun hosting our first sanctioned pinball tournament last weekend with the Pokemon Launch Party. We had 22 contestents show up, many driving in from out of town to get those sweet IFPA and PRPA points.

Brian ended up winning it, beating out many top state pinballers. Kat Davis came in 2nd and Chris O’Brien 3rd. Not that winning is that big a’deal. Anything can happen during a tournament and even if you don’t end up winning, hanging out with other pinball nerds is a lotta fun.

We’re going to make this a monthly thing so stay tuned for the next pinball tournament announcement.

We’ve Traced The Call, It’s Coming From Inside The American Football House

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Next week is the BIG EVENT, which of course is Record Store Day on Saturday April 18th. People can line up for a chance at over 350 exclusive titles coming out only on that day.

First 100 people in (50 for each location), will have a chance to get this free exclusive shirt. Also a few of these will be for sale at the Pokemon Pinball Party this Saturday!!

Speaking of that, this Saturday is our first truly sanctioned pinball launch party and tournament, celebrating our new Pokemon pinball machine. This tournament will allow participants to bank points for the big pinball tournament orgs IFPA and PRPA. Should be a good time, warmups and registration start at 6 and tournament starts at 7. there will be at least 5 rounds of qualifying followed by the finals.

Also this show is happening this week on Thursday downtown.

Here are the hot new vinyls coming out this Friday

• LAUFEY is here with the deluxe version of her latest album “A Matter Of Time,” this is “A Matter Of Time: The Final Hour” and it’s on a yellow/green/blue colored vinyl.
• Reissues from THE CRAMPS for their 1980 and 1981 albums “Songs The Lord Taught Us” and “Psychedelic Jungle”
• Surely all the Misfits fans will be freaking out to know that the first four DANZIG albums are finally getting reissued on black vinyl! That’s Danzig, Danzig II, Danzig III, and Danzig 4!!!

This week Pepperoni picked Jimmy Buffett

“Uhhhh… coconut? It’s a beautiful day in Margaritaville, aka Dumb Records where we have as many copies of Jimmy Buffett’s greatest hits as you could possibly need! Park your boats outside (it’s free parking on the street, just two hour parking) and come on in you Parrot-heads. This has 13 tracks of Jimmy’s greatest. From “Cheeseburger In Paradise” to “Volcano” enjoy!

Meanwhile, Scott has put together a new crate of waaaay out there records at the mall for everyone to check out.

The Seven Inch Bandit

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Howdy Pardners, we just roped in a new pinball for ya’ll! This here be MUSTANG from 1977. It’s one of them ding-dong kinda machines. It’s got drop targets. It’s got rollovers, and it’s got saucers kickers and bumpers. Check it out at our downtown arcade YEE-HAAW

Our 12 Year Anniversary Sale is still going on through this Friday. Also we have another batch of new vinyl releases on Friday too!

– MADISON BEER, singer songwriter is here with her third studio album “Locket.” available on black vinyl.
– CAVETOWN, which is an indie-rock solo project is here with a new album “Running With Scissors” (black vinyl).
– EMINEM with a soundtrack to a new documentary film called “Stans” – which is about the rapper’s career and fans? Out on black and red mixed vinyl.
– American rapper A$AP ROCKY with his 4th studio album “Don’t Be Dumb” on black and white vinyl. Don’t be Dumb… come to Dumb Records and buy it.
– LIZZY MCALPHINE with “Older (And Wiser)”, the deluxe edition of her latest album which came out last year.

This week Pepperoni picked an odd choice for the Pixies, what the heck Pep.

“I know, it’s a wonder why I haven’t picked an album by Pixies as my pick of the week at this point. I think a little over a year ago everyone in the store shared one spotify account and when our “wrapped” came out, Pixies were the number one band that we all agreed upon. While most would probably argue between “Surfer Rosa” or “Doolittle” being their best albums, I am throwing a little bit of a curve ball by choosing their 3rd album from 1990 “Bossa Nova” as my official pick. I’d say this is an all around great start for anyone getting into the band! Some of my favorite songs on this one are “Dig For Fire,” “Hangwire” and of course “Allison”. Enjoy!”

Up The Irons

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We just brought in our newest game to our downtown arcade and It’s Iron Maiden Pinball! This machine has a whole host of mods and upgrades. Even tho this game was produced in 2018 you probably have never seen one like this before. Plus we fixed a couple other games while we were at it. At the time of this writing, every game is actually working in the arcade! That can certainly change hour by hour as pinballs and vintage arcades are challenging to keep working at all times, a true labor of love.

Here are the hot vinyl releases this Friday!
– THE LUMINEERS with their fifth studio album “Automatic” and we will have the indie exclusive orchid/tangerine splatter version!
– SABRINA CARPENTER “Short N’ Sweet” is a top seller around here of course, but on Friday the DELUXE (double blue vinyl) version is out featuring five extra tracks!
– RED CLAY STRAYS “Made By These Moments” yes, this was an album that came out last year but copies sold out everywhere immediately and it’s been already due for a re-press! Out on cream colored vinyl.
– ICE SPICE with her album “Y2k” was released digitally last year, this Friday is the physical release.
– CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL have all of their albums being re-issued on color vinyl, “Green River” is the one we have featured and ordered the most copies of (on green vinyl).

This week Pepperoni picked Billy Strings

“Have I got the pick for you all this week. My first bluegrass pick? This is Billy Strings, a young up and coming country bluegrass jam band guitarist extraordinaire. I didn’t realize he was based out of Michigan until just now. The sticker on the cover says this was a 2020 grammy winner for best bluegrass album. Do you like your subs toasted at Head West, or do you like to smell all of the incense flavors at Penny Lane? Well if you do, then this BILLY STRINGS album “Home” might be just for you!”

DEMOLITION TIME

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Have you playing our latest pinball machine, Demolition Man, yet! It’s got ramps, modes, multiballs, the Cyro-Claw that grabs your ball, and unique handles for the flipper buttons that grant secret bonuses. See if you can get through all the Cryo-Claw Modes and get into Demolition Time! If Alderman Shawn Gregory is into it then it must be cool.

This week for New Release Friday, we’re anticipating the following titles coming out on vinyl:

– Ariana Grande has a new album “Eternal Sunshine” out on Ruby Red vinyl – we have been told the shipment for this might be cutting it close, so it might be later in the day or even following Monday that this shows up.
– Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth is 70 years old and is still making interesting music with her newest “The Collective”!
– Jpegmafia with “Ghost Tape” out on aqua-blue vinyl
– The Color Purple: Music From And Inspired By (There are purple and gold variants of this, we are not 100% sure which ones we ordered we will get)
– Eartheater with her album “Powders” which came out last year, vinyl release is this weekend.
– “The Music Never Stopped” – a compilation of bands that inspired The Grateful Dead!
– JUDAS PRIEST with their 19th studio album “Invincible Shield” out this Friday!

This week Pepperoni picks the Ozzy classic Bark at the Moon

“This week I am picking another album from OZZY OSBOURNE – his third studio album from 1983 “MEOW AT THE MOON”! I believe this was his biting-heads-off-bats on stage era. I also bit a bat in the Dumb Records basement once. Also I heard he performed this album in full in Carbondale during the last solar eclipse in 2017 but I didn’t find out about it until afterwards.”

Recently we’ve been gifted a Spotify subscription which we are now using to create playlists of the weekly new releases and other songs we like. Check that out HERE