Okay, I’ll admit it- I still call music shops “record stores.” But really, when was the last time you saw more than a handful of vinyl for sale anywhere?
Today’s record stores are few and far between, but Haverhill is lucky enough to be home of one of the best around. So, in honor of National Record Store Day tomorrow, we thought we should show you around Welfare Records, located at 58 River St.
Welfare Records, 58 River St. Haverhill, MA
Not a ton of light makes it in through the windows, most of which are postered over or full of merchandise, but that’s perfect. You WANT to get sealed off from the rest of the world in a place like this. All sense of time and space is irrelevant when you’re getting lost in the bins.
I stepped inside and was immediately whisked back to my early college radio days. I found an old Beat Happening EP and actually hugged it. (then paid for and made off with it- sorry!)
Inside Welfare Records
If you’re of the punk persuasion, hanker for a hunka hardcore, or are ridin’ the new wave, there’s plenty here to keep you occupied. Worried you’ll never be able to sufficiently browse with your favorite mopey indie rocker in tow? NO problem- there’s a respectable little indie section, too, as well as jazz, disco, rock and Oi!
My favorite section? One I have never seen in any other record store. One that only needs to be seen to be believed. I give you…THE ODD STUFF SECTION.
Odd Stuff!
I don’t want to give too much away here…you’ll have to come and see for yourself. In the meantime, take in the tantalizing subcategories and know that there’s something for everyone.
And hey, all you hardcore fans should be sure to stop by tomorrow, National Record Store Day, and grab one of 75 limited edition recordings of Fucked Up, taped on reel to reel, live in Toronto. 14 tracks for only 15 bucks.
Welfare Records is open Noon – 8pm everyday, and there’s also an online shop and a MySpace page, so there’s no excuse not to check ’em out!
(If, god forbid, you don’t have a record player, they do sell a few cds and tapes, too.)
Awesome. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the heads up. There aren;t a lot of these left anymore. Did Al Bum’s move out of town?
Oh my gosh, I totally forgot that we allegedly have an Al Bum’s! I’ll do some investigating…Thanks, Rich!
music dna has been in methuen for 23 years and still going with 1000’s of vinyl and much more!!!!!!!!!!!!
[…] a pretty active (and kickass) loud/metal/hardcore scene happening right under my nose. Places like Welfare Records and its offshoot venue Anchors Up! are bringing the “Rrarrrarrrhhhhhhrrrrrrrrr” to the […]
Al-Bums moved to Manchester last I heard. When Julian took it over from his dad he decided to move it from Newburyport to Haverhill. Sadly, he couldn’t keep up with the store and everything else he had going on so he closed up. Not sure if he sold it to a friend or someone else.
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