Defend vinyl? Of course I do. Since I returned to buying LPs several years ago many of my happiest hours have been spent in record shops and charity shops doing the ‘flicking through LPs’ thing I’d thought I’d left long behind me.
But until recently there hadn’t been a proper record shop I could go to anywhere near where I live. Then around a month ago Defend opens here on Smithdown Road and becomes an immediate and regular part of my Saturday morning walks around the neighbourhood.
With a proper and knowledgeable bloke behind the counter.
After exchanging initial and expected pleasantries where we, of course, discuss our favourite Bill Withers B-sides, Graham and I, as is traditional, discover our mutual village of Liverpool connections. So hello Paul, Marianne and Dan. You were with us as I took these photos and talked music and the business of setting up the shop with Graham.
Then there’s the matter of the juke box.
Yes, everyone’s got a juke box lying around the house haven’t they?
“Apparently it just needs a new drive belt and someone who knows how to fit it. There aren’t that many juke box fixers around these days” pleads Graham.
So if you do know of a juke box fixer, then get in touch?
Not really, there is a proper record player behind the counter. It is a proper record shop after all.
And I’ve never visited here without buying something. Justifying the faith, friendship and investment of everyone who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign to help Graham get it opened:
It’s open until 5 o’clock today, Sunday. And the other days?
“I’m open at 11am Monday to Saturday and a lie-in of a Sunday , so not ’til 12 mid-day.
Then close at 7pm Monday to Thursday, 8pm Friday and Saturday.”
Ring 0151 306 7121 if you want to check anything.
Happy days.
Pointing out, as ever, that though this is a piece of blatant encouragement to go and shop at Defend Vinyl no money or free records have been involved, or ever would be, to get me to write this. This blog, a sense of place, is a free and opinionated public service and always will be. My enthusiasms cost nothing and can’t be bought.
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