Vinyl enthusiasts will flock to Monster Music & Movies on April 12 for the 18th annual Record Store Day
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
Monster Music & Movies in West Ashley will officially open its doors at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. But vinyl aficionados and music lovers will be posted up much earlier in anticipation of what has become the Super Bowl for collectors. Since 2008, Record Store Day has been a celebration of the role independently-owned record stores like Monster Music play in their communities and the people who make them spin: the staff who run them, customers who shop them, and the artists who make the music they sell.
In 2025, the continuing popularity and resurgence of physical media, including the vinyl and CD formats, means more people than ever are coming to the party at the record store. Monster Music’s longtime manager Galen Hudson credits Record Store Day as being really what has catalyzed the vinyl resurgence.
“And it gets bigger every year. But it’s a lot of fun for us. The staff loves it. We’re here from open to close, but we love it,” says Hudson, adding that Monster Music has been a part of Record Store Day since the very beginning. This year he says there will be close to 400 exclusive new vinyl releases, available only at independent record stores like Monster.
Hudson says Monster orders every single title available for this event, but that there are always a few titles that are very limited but in high demand.
“We might order 20, and receive two. We wish we could materialize more out of thin air, but it is what it is. Hopefully, there are a few things you’ll find that you’ll be happy about,” says Hudson. “There’s always surprises that we don’t know about.”
There are a lot of records that Hudson is personally excited about, including the Alex Chilton album Set, which was previously released under an not-safe-for -work title by another name that we can’t print in a community newspaper.
“It’s all classic soul and jazz songs,” says Hudson. “To me, it’s such a cool release. When I listen to it, I kind of get the whole Alex Chilton thing and understand what it’s all about.”
In addition to Set, Hudson is excited about a The Meters’ Live At Great American Music Hall, Hepcat’s Push ’n Shove, a release of the 1990 album from Hindu Love Gods, a side project between R.E.M. and the late-great Warren Zevon.
“There are a couple of things I’m just not going to be able to live without,” Hudson says.
To celebrate Record Store Day this year, Monster will be holding its largest storewide sale of the year, with 20% off all new vinyl, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray (excluding RSD titles and items already on sale); 40% off all used vinyl, CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray; 30% off posters, shirts, stickers, and other pop culture items; and 15% off turntables and vinyl accessories. Additionally, there will be a sidewalk sale with thousands of used records and CDs for just $0.25 each.
Additionally, P&S New Jersey Style Cheese Steak Subs will be on site, slinging sandwiches and more from a food truck. DJ Mosiac will be spinning records. There will also be a jump castle, some surprises, and freebies.
Record Store Day is Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The following day, whatever exclusive RSD stock is still available can be purchased online at www.monstermusicsc.com or at the store, which is located at 946 Orleans Road. Check out the complete list of Record Store Day exclusive releases here: www.monstermusicsc.com/Genre/696203.
