About Black Circle Records
Give us the background... when and why did you decide to open a record shop?
Having my own record shop is something that I've known I wanted to do since I left school - I fell in love with music as a young child and knew from the age of about 15 what I wanted to do with my life (and besides I wasn't that good at football so I was never likely to get to play for my beloved Arsenal!!). I have worked my way through most of the music chains and opened my first shop in 2007 before opening my current shop (Black Circle Records) in December 2016.
As the store is now over six years old we have developed a reputation for selling the finest new releases across all the different genres plus have a burgeoning second hand offer which is refreshed weekly and offers something for everyone!
My first record shop experience was my local indie called Loppylugs back in the mid-80s. The guys that worked in there were really knowledgeable and friendly and put me on the right path musically!! I still actually have the Guns N Roses logo display they gave me when Appetite For Destruction came out in 1987. As for my first record - I can't remember exactly what it was but I do remember spending all my pocket money on 7" singles including a signed copy of Every Loser Wins by Nick Berry. My first 12" single was Sonic Boom Boy by Westworld but it's fair to say my musical tastes have changed over the years...
Cob Records in Wales, Probe In Liverpool, Rise in Bristol - all really good at what they do!
When I worked for Virgin you couldn't move for celebrities in the shop!! Local legend Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo) pops in occasionally but in my old shop Damien Hirst was a regular customer and Mark Lamarr always popped in when he was around!
Tough choice - Alice In Chains on their first tour here or the Jale/L7 double header (although that may have been more about the after show party which was insane!!)
Not surprisingly - High Fidelity and Fever Pitch. Nick Hornby has written my life story for me!!
So many to choose from - the ones I definitely couldn't go without seeing again are The Blues Brothers, Goodfellas and The Wizard Of Oz!!
Paradise City (Guns N Roses), Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones) and I've Got Something To Say (Reef)
Never been to Glastonbury but if i was to form a lineup i'd include Oasis, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Reef, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Buddy Holly, BB King, Thin Lizzy - the list could go on and on!!
Appetite For Destruction - always has been and always will be!!
Events Coming Up
Zephyr Sounds (DJ set - 8am to 12pm)
Eve Christina (Singer - 1pm to 2pm)
With influence from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple and Taylor Swift, Eve Christina continues to write and perform honest and raw songs, written in an attempt to find closure and solace. Her ever-growing fan base have responded to her version of "home made therapy" in the most incredible way, taking this singer-songwriter into their hearts as she gives a voice to their own feelings of love, loss and identity.
Bluewall (Band - 2.30pm to 3.30pm)
Bluewall are a alt rock band from Milton Keynes, who are heavily influenced by rock acts mainly from the 90s, such as Radiohead, Sigur Rós, Coldplay, and more!
We've spent the last year and a half perfecting our art as an alternative rock band and were working on our 2nd ep (which were currently playing songs from on our set) after releasing our 1st ep "Double Denim" in 2022.
Tiptoe Apollo (Band - 4.00pm to 5pm)
Lily, Josie, Ben and Antonio are Tiptoe Apollo - of tender years they may be, but they've been well and truly putting the buzz into Leighton Buzzard, their home town. Party hearty numbers for rock heads and indie kids alike! Join Tiptoe Apollo for concert hits, rock and roll classics, and grunge bangers!
Other Participating Shops