Locals lead record store lineup

Toledo band Frank & Jesse is performing at two local venues Saturday and releasing its debut album "Let It Come Down," as part of the fourth annual Record Store Day.

"We're an interesting case," drummer Shane Shirey said. "I would never suggest any new band release their first thing on Record Store Day because it's going to get lost in the shuffle. Our album is going to be exclusive just to Culture Clash Records. It's kind of a different situation."

The band, named for the outlaw brothers Frank and Jesse James, features John Salvage on guitar and vocals, Seth Williams on guitar and Eddie Keaveny on bass. They are playing at Culture Clash Records, located on Secor Road, in the afternoon and holding a CD release party at Ottawa Tavern Saturday night.

"It's a good album," Culture Clash's Pat O'Connor said. "I'm real excited about it. I've heard a lot of his band over the last year. It's real good. It's driving rock with an alt-country edge to it. There's excellent guitar with sweet licks, a guy who can really sing and drums that just don't quit."

On top of the two performances, Shirey is working at Culture Clash, which opens at 10 a.m. The store will feature other bands such as psychedelic indie rockers The Black Angels who play at 1 p.m. before heading to Detroit for a sold-out show at the Magic Stick.

"There's not going to be much room to move around if it's anything like last year," Shirey said. "While we had great bands last year, none of them are anywhere near on the page where The Black Angels are at right now. Even looking nationwide, we have the biggest one where the band is actually playing."

Record Store Day is a nationwide movement to shine a light on independent music retail and local business in general.

"I'm blown away," O'Connor said. "I love The Black Angels. One of their Record Store Day releases completely knocked me out. The day we got it in I probably listened to it nine times straight just flipping it and flipping it. It's amazing."

One way bands and record companies support Record Store Day is by providing new releases exclusively to independent record stores. This year's Record Store Day features more than 300 albums, including records from Foo Fighters, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys and Pink Floyd.

"It's neat that a whole industry is gung ho to show our presence to everybody," O'Connor said. "You can still turn people on to a lot of good stuff."

The Black Angels has three releases on Record Store Day including limited edition B-sides of its album "Phosphene Dream" on white vinyl.

"We've chosen to celebrate by bringing in bands that embrace the day," Shirey said. "The Black Angels embraced it big time by putting out three exclusive releases for that day. Even if you don't pick up one of the releases, we've got these great bands playing starting at 1 p.m."

The majority of albums for Record Store Day are released on vinyl.

"When people think they stopped making vinyl, they never did. Independent record labels always press that stuff. Major labels have picked up on it the last couple years. You won't see the new Britney Spears on record. They did do the new Lady Gaga, because that appeals to a DJ crowd."

O'Connor sees Record Store Day as an opportunity to introduce people to quality music.

"Music is still widely enjoyed; it's not like music has died down," O'Connor said. "The physical end of music certainly has really diminished. This turns people on to the alt experience you take in at a record store and preserves that culture."