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

The Rock Box has been going since 1987, opened by the original owner Ken, and sold to Mark in 2018 (who owns the shop but now leaves us to run it!)

We moved into our new location in 2019. I’ve worked at record shops since I was young, but The Rock Box was always my favourite to go to as a customer, getting this job was a dream come true!

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORE? WHAT'S THE VIBE?

We have a chill vibe here, everyone and every kind of music lover is welcome!

Despite Rock music being our foundation stone, our staff and customers have massively varied tastes, so we now stock everything from Metal, to Electronic, Hip-Hop, Indie, Jazz, Classical, and beyond! 

CAN YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD YOU SOLD IN THE SHOP? AND THE LAST?

The first record I sold was Bloc Party – Silent Alarm. The last record I just sold was The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD SHOP YOU WENT TO? AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

The Rock Box! I actually came in for Record Store Day in 2011.

The first record I ever bought was Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning on 7” (although that was from Oxfam in ’09). 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD SHOP (APART FROM YOUR OWN!) AND WHY?

Resident in Brighton - they always have a massive and diverse selection of great music, nice layout, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Loads of amazing in-stores too!

WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE RECORD STORE EXPERIENCE?

We are now dog friendly, so meeting all the dogs that come in has been one of our favourite recent memories ha-ha! Plus, the recent in-stores we’ve been putting on as our ‘Saturday Sessions’ have been brilliant at showcasing our fave local bands.

How successful has Record Store Day been for your store?

We love it!

This past Record Store Day was our best yet. Each year just gets better! Having a huge queue of people waiting, and that mad rush in the morning is always thrilling.

Once it gets to the afternoon it’s turns into a party here, with a pop-up pub next door, and live music & DJs playing. This year with Brixton Windmill regulars Speedial, and Empires Empires playing (deffo ones to watch!).

It genuinely means a lot to us to have people come and support us in any capacity on RSD, whether that’s buying a record, listening to the music, or just coming to say hi!

WHAT'S THE BEST GIG YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO?

Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo in 2014 

WHAT'S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE BOOK?

Fern Brady – ‘Strong Female Character’

WHAT'S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM?

‘The End of Evangelion’ (1997)

WHAT WOULD MAKE UP YOUR DESERT ISLAND DISCS?

Biffy Clyro – ‘There’s No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake’
The Smashing Pumpkins - ‘Mayonaise’ 
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – ‘Head On/Pill’
F*cked Up – ‘Son the Father’
The Cure - ‘Want’
Swans – ‘The Glowing Man’
Radiohead – ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’
Pavement – ‘In the Mouth a Desert’

OTHER RECORD STORES