We here at Tone Deaf love nothing more than reporting on everything that is music, however sometimes there might be a little bit too much focus on just the artists, and the myriad of work that goes on behind closed doors is forgotten. Remember record stores? For many (including us) record stores have always been a place of education, worship, and community – so to celebrate these great spaces each fortnight we’re reaching out to shine a much deserved spotlight some of our favourite indie record stores.
[include_post id=”443318″] We recently spoke with Andrew Hayden the owner Melbourne music and skate institution Poison City Records. Born as a label in 2003, Poison City have quickly become champions of all music local, independent, and quality with not only a store and label to their name but also a local festival – the Poison City Weekender one of Melbourne’s most favourite and sought-after celebrations of live music. The 2015 line up just dropped and is touted to be “the biggest ever”.
Held from 4 – 6 September, The Poison City Weekender headlined by the one and only local favourites The Smith Street Band , as well as other Poison City label mates The Bennies, Clowns and Luca Brasi and also a huge contingency of international artists, including Long Island anthemic rockers Iron Chic, rising Philadelphia bummer-punks Modern Baseball, Phoenix’s anti-folk idols Andrew Jackson Jihad, genre and format benders Self Defense Family, and Ohio power pop foursome The Sidekicks, all making their first trip down under.
The Beginning
Poison City started out as a hobby label/ distro in a spare bedroom of a house in Thornbury – around 2003. Initially just to self-release some music for two local bands I was playing in at the time and soon after, for a couple of friend’s bands in Melbourne and Sydney.
A year or so later I started to distribute some US labels that I’d made contact with like No Idea, Taang, 1-2-3-4 Go! etc. Under the Poison City label I kept releasing and distributing music, while also booking and promoting local shows and the occasional tour.
Around 2007, my dad got really sick and at his lowest point, he insisted that whatever happened, I should follow my heart and try to do Poison City full-time. Many months later he thankfully recovered and by then, I’d already quit my job and started looking for a space to set up PCR as a legitimate operation.
In late 2007, we opened up Poison City Records & Skateboards store in Fitzroy, and also set up a label office on the same premises. In those first few years we were still stocking about 70% CDs with a few select titles on vinyl (as well as music t-shirts and old school/ collectable skateboarding gear). In around 2009 we started swinging heavily towards vinyl records for both the store and label and currently our retail & online store sells around 80% vinyl. I don’t think the music retail landscape in Melbourne has changed drastically over the past 10 years – some indie stores have closed, but new ones have opened. Melbourne has the best music scene in Australia so I think there will always be a place for niche, independent record stores.
How The Community Helped Poison City Grow
I feel like the growth of our label and subsequent interest in our retail store has a lot to do with the community that’s grown along with us. I’ve alway taken inspiration from labels like Dischord, No Idea and Merge who see their labels as a way of documenting and assisting their music community in a variety of ways, rather than being simply a label or store that sells music.
[include_post id=”435420″]I think it’s crucial for independent labels to be involved with their local music scene – promoting shows or booking tours, putting on events or even working with local artists. It’s a way of giving back to the friends and supporters of your store/ label and helps maintain a certain soul and identity to what your trying to achieve.
I’ve always thought of Poison City as a music community and family of creative people more so than just a business. I feel like the network of bands, musicians, artists, venues, engineers, studios, bookers, promoters and labels we work with from all parts of the world these days all started from friendships and often chance encouters.
I think this kind of approach gives everyone involved some sense of ownership and connection to what we’ve built up – weather it’s busy touring bands like Clowns, The Smith Street Band, The Bennies and Luca Brasi making friends wherever they tour, or local identities like Tom Lyngcoln who not only plays in a bunch of rad bands (Harmony, The Nation Blue, Pale Heads) but also does DIY recordings for other bands, or artists we work with regularly like Glenn Smith and Mongo – right through to people that just pop into our record store or go to shows that we put on…..it’s really that network of people and friendships that have enabled Poison City to grow.
I’m so grateful that Poison City has continued to attract a diverse range of people that seem genuinely passionate about music. From our experience, these people are the ones continuing to buy physical records – especially the vinyl format. While we’ve seen growth in digital sales more recent years, I’d still maintain that most of our customers are wanting to buy physical records – weather it’s simply as a way of supporting touring/ local bands, preferring the sound characteristics of vinyl, enjoying the aesthetic of the packaging and larger format or even purchasing re-issues for the nostalgia value.
The First Record Ever Sold
My good buddy Jamie Hay bought the first ever record from Poison City store when it opened up (we still have the receipt behind the counter somewhere) – pretty certain it was a Defiance Ohio record.
Most Interesting Record Sold
We don’t do 2nd-hand records at the store, so unfortunately I don’t have any stories about buying someone’s whole collection and finding all the original SST or Dischord 7”s hidden among it! Hehe. But to list a few of my favourite older records that we always stock and that I always recommend to people – Moving Targets ‘Burning In Water’, Archers Of Loaf ‘Icky Mettle’, Mission Of Burma ‘Vs.’, One Last Wish ‘1986’, Sebadoh ‘Bakesale’, Fugazi ‘Repeater’…..they are all interesting and extremely important in my world!
Poison City’s Relationship With The Music Community
There’s so many awesome and inspiring people I’ve met since starting Poison City and playing in bands. In fact, I can probably track most of my true friendships back to a connection via music. From my days of touring I still keep in contact with mates across the US, UK and Germany – even if it’s only an annual catch up.
Then within Australia there’s people that have been super supportive and helpful since the early, uncertain days of starting Poison City – Graham from Resist Records would definitely be one such person. A good mate and some who’s judgement and guidance I always trust. Ten years down the track we still jump on the phone weekly to shoot the shit and bounce ideas around. Some of the most interesting, fun and enduring relationships also come from the bands and musicians we work with everyday. I feel so lucky to be able to work with all these beautiful humans and help them where we can.
A Day In The Life Of Poison City Records
Somedays I wish I could be just managing the store! For the last few years it’s been a constant juggle between running the label, making sure the shop is well stocked and looking good, planning releases and tours, helping our bands, booking Weekender Fest (our annual music fest) and so on. I’m really lucky to have Aaron and Sarah working at Poison City now – both amazing and creative people who are passionate about music. Most days it’s like the Amazing Race to get everything done – but I wouldn’t have it any other way….I think they call it ‘organised chaos’.
Proudest Moments
Early on it was the first day we opened up our little store on Brunswick Street, or the first time one of the Weekender Fest shows sold out or the first LP we put out.
In more recent years it’s been the success of our hard working bands – seeing them touring overseas and living their dreams – it’s hard not to feel like a proud Dad sometimes! Putting together our Weekender Fest every years has become a 12 month cycle with loads of planning and organising, but when it rolls around and you see everyone hanging out, watching the bands and smiling, that’s something I’m really proud of.
Sometimes it’s just the small things that get me stoked, like introducing younger people that we have coming into the shop now to bands that I grew up with – it’s the way I used to find out about good music at stores like Augogo or Missing Link, there’s still something cool and rewarding about discovering music that way.
Biggest Lessons Learnt
Always work with genuinely creative, passionate and friendly people. Let things happen organically and instinctively. Be positive! Forged your own path and don’t get swept up in the games and bullshit of ‘industry’.
Favourite Moments Working At Poison City
Every little step has been an adventure – weather it’s an achievement or a mistake. I’m still learning everyday and it’s honestly humbling to think about all the awesome people and bands that have become like an extend family over the years. Watching The Smith Street Band go from playing The Old Bar or Tote to selling out big tours across Australia and playing in all corners of the world is truly mind-blowing – those guys have worked their asses off to achieve what they have and it’s a nice feeling to have been a part of that.
It’s also a huge deal for me to be working with older bands like Screamfeeder and The Meanies at the moment. These are the bands that inspired me so much through my teenage years and it’s hard to believe I now have the honour of releasing their music and calling them friends. Having some of my favourite bands like Knapsack, Samiam and Rival Schools come to Australia for our Weekender Fest. Releasing the new Swervedriver album in Australia earlier this year. There are so many other moments that I’m in awe of – life is so fast paced these days – often I don’t have time to sit back and take stock.
The Importance Of Diversifying
Poison City is set up as an independent record label, a skateboard/ record retail store, a distribution and a promoter and this seems to tie together well – with each element supporting the other. For me to leave my job and start running Poison Cityfull-time it was crucial to be involved in a range of activities to support myself – I honestly doubt we would have survived as purely a record store – or purely a record label without both aspects feeding into one another and reaching out to a broader amount of people.
What You’d Be Doing If Poison City Didn’t Exist
Probably still something with a connection to music or skateboarding. Maybe living in Berlin? Maybe just being a recluse somewhere quiet down the coast? It’s really hard to think about – I’ve invested so much time and energy into Poison City.
Prediction On The Future Of Records Stores
I have no illusions that the vinyl resurgence will flatten out at some point, however I still think genuine music lovers will always have a connection with independent record stores and view them as more than just a shop. It’s up to independent stores and labels to offer people something unique and embrace their music community by being active – supporting local bands, musicians and artists – creating a cultural hub if you will. Those special, but less tangible elements are what separates indie stores from the digital world, online shopping and chain/ department stores. I’m certain the world of digital music consumption – especially streaming services will continue to grow, but I honestly can’t see it ever completely replacing vinyl records. Call me an optimist!
Poison City Weekender 2015
Friday Sept 4th – 170 Russell // The Public Bar
Saturday Sept 5th – Corner Hotel (18+) // The Old Bar
Sunday Sept 6th – The Reverence Hotel // Corner Hotel (U18)
Tickets and info at www.poisoncityweekender.com
Line up
The Smith Street Band
Iron Chic (USA)
Modern Baseball (USA)
The Bennies
Andrew Jackson Jihad (USA)
Self Defense Family (USA)
Luca Brasi
The Sidekicks (USA)
Clowns
The Meanies
Deep Heat
Batpiss
Mere Women
Oslow
Apart From This
Georgia Maq
Postblue
The Sugarcanes
Crisis Alert
Tired Lion
Kiri
Flour
