Black Circle Records

2 Roebuck Mews, 2a Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU71HJ

01525 839917

UPCOMING RECORD STORE DAY EVENT

GIVE US THE BACKGROUND - WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A RECORD SHOP?

Having my own record shop is something that I've known I wanted to do since I left school - I fell in love with music as a young child and knew from the age of about 15 what I wanted to do with my life (and besides I wasn't that good at football so I was never likely to get to play for my beloved Arsenal!!). I have worked my way through most of the music chains and opened my first shop in 2007 before opening my current shop (Black Circle Records) in December 2016.

Tell us a little bit about your store? What's the vibe?

As the store is now over six years old we have developed a reputation for selling the finest new releases across all the different genres plus have a burgeoning second hand offer which is refreshed weekly and offers something for everyone!

Can you remember the first record shop you went to? and do you remember the first record you bought?

My first record shop experience was my local indie called Loppylugs back in the mid-80s. The guys that worked in there were really knowledgeable and friendly and put me on the right path musically!! I still actually have the Guns N Roses logo display they gave me when Appetite For Destruction came out in 1987. As for my first record - I can't remember exactly what it was but I do remember spending all my pocket money on 7" singles including a signed copy of Every Loser Wins by Nick Berry. My first 12" single was Sonic Boom Boy by Westworld but it's fair to say my musical tastes have changed over the years...

What is your favourite record shop (apart from your own!) and why?

Cob Records in Wales, Probe In Liverpool, Rise in Bristol - all really good at what they do!

Who's the most famous person you've had through your doors? Any funny stories?

When I worked for Virgin you couldn't move for celebrities in the shop!! Local legend Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo) pops in occasionally but in my old shop Damien Hirst was a regular customer and Mark Lamarr always popped in when he was around!

What's the best gig you've ever been to?

Tough choice - Alice In Chains on their first tour here or the Jale/L7 double header (although that may have been more about the after show party which was insane!!)

What's your all-time favourite book?

Not surprisingly - High Fidelity and Fever Pitch. Nick Hornby has written my life story for me!!

What's your all-time favourite film?

So many to choose from - the ones I definitely couldn't go without seeing again are The Blues Brothers, Goodfellas and The Wizard Of Oz!!

If you could only listen to 3 songs for the rest of you life, what would they be?

Paradise City (Guns N Roses), Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones) and I've Got Something To Say (Reef)

Who would form your all-time Festival line-up? (past & present)

Never been to Glastonbury but if i was to form a lineup i'd include Oasis, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Reef, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Buddy Holly, BB King, Thin Lizzy - the list could go on and on!!