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The pandemic has taken away one of my favorite hobbies — digging through crates at the record store. Back in the Before Times, one of my must-do activities on a trip to a new city was to visit a local record shop.
My copy of Led Zeppelin’s “Houses of the Holy” on vinyl? That came from a San Luis Obispo shop on our way home from a Paso Robles wine trip. I picked up Linda Ronstadt’s “Heart Like a Wheel” at a used record store in Houston on a morning walk. And a sealed copy of Dave Hause’s excellent solo album “Bury Me In Philly” practically leapt out of the rack and into my hands in San Francisco. (Shoutout to my very patient husband who always indulges my music acquisition quests.)
That’s why I’m so bummed that Mad Platter has called it quits. It was my local shop, where the treasures I’ve picked up over the years include Christopher Cross’ debut (my love of yacht rock is no secret), and a place to just clear my head and find new music.
Alex Groves wrote about Mad Platter’s closure and the memories a lot of people shared about the store. The silver lining is that at least Rhino Records, Mad Platter’s sister store and another favorite of mine, is still around.
Speaking of saving things, the Save Our Stages Festival is happening this weekend, featuring performers at venues all over the country, to raise awareness for the Save Our Stages act. Scott T. Sterling wrote about it and has the weekend’s schedule over at Flood Magazine. There are a number of Southern California venues represented, too, including the Troubadour, Terragram Ballroom, Hotel Cafe and the Whisky a Go-Go.
Go Hard or go home
Promoters around the country are already pushing festival dates into next fall, but in Southern California, Insomniac is optimistic for a summer return. This week, the EDM promoter announced when Hard Summer is coming back — and where it will happen in 2021. Get the details.
Thanks for the music
Riverside’s Mad Platter record store closed last week after 36 years in business. It’s very much the end of an era for Inland Empire music fans. Reporter Alex Groves dove into the history of the store.
Listening inAfter focusing on punk and alternative bands, Whittier-based Wiretap Records founders Rob Castellon and Oscar Toledo now want to raise the voices of another community of artists with a new label called My Grito. Richard Guzman has more.
More drive-in shows
Drive-In OC has announced more shows. Kaskade will appear on Halloween weekend and singer-songwriter LP will perform in mid-November.
Food scene, seen
With bite-sized episodes and a crew of hosts who are as hungry for conversation as they are for a good meal, the web series “Family Style” digs into Southern California’s vibrant Asian food culture. Richard Guzman has more.
Familiar voices
Former KROQ DJs Gene ‘Bean’ Baxter and Allie Mac Kay team up for a new Patreon podcast. The pair debuted the “A Cup of Tea and a Chat with Allie & Bean” podcast via the subscription platform this week.
Top ramen
We’re still revealing Brad A. Johnson’s Best Places to Eat in Orange County 2020 and if you love ramen, have we got a list for you.
Let us haunt your inbox
Our limited-time Halloween Boos!Letter launched this week. Here’s a sample and find out how to sign up.
The horror of Southern California
With in-person Halloween events limited, take a self-guided tour to some of the most famous home horror filming locations in the area. Kelli Skye Fadroski has more
Halloween happenings
It’s a modified spooky season, but there are still socially distanced drive-thru style and family-friendly Halloween events going on in Southern California. Here are 13 of them.
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