Stage Buzz: Record Breakers Celebrates 25
Record Breakers
It’s hard to fathom in an era where pop music is sold like a commodity, and some folks think it’s their generational right to steal music from the interwebs, that the cool kids would go out and buy (gasp!) music. Luckily, there’s a majority of music fans (at least reading this publication) that cherish the physical delivery of music on vinyl and CD, even a few brave souls buying on tape, as witnessed by last month’s Cassette Day celebration. Those are the folks that remember Record Breakers when it opened on Algonquin Road in Hoffman Estates in 1988. It was a place where goth kids, punk rockers, and other Ferris Bueller pals – the “geeks, sluts, bloods, wasteoids and dweebies” could gather to hear and buy new music from Screeching Weasel, The Pixies, The Dead Milkmen, Revolting Cocks or Sisters Of Mercy. Today, Record Breakers is a part of the south loop’s treasured Reggie’s music complex. In celebration of Record Breakers 25th Anniversary, Reggies will hold a weekend celebration of bands (Suicide Machines, Braid, Doug Stanhope) and a vinyl and CD sale today through Sunday, October 4-6th. Co-Founder Robbie Glick of Reggies told IE “We opened the (original) shop in October of ’88 with the hopes of bringing a city like vibe to the ‘burbs: Used CDs, bootlegs and local live concerts on Sundays made Record Breakers one of Chicagoland’s favorite spots for music lovers. Now ‘Breakers still thrives inside of Reggies, with two stages of music nightly, a rooftop beer garden and great food, over 50 bands a week come through – local, regional, national and international. Come check us out and celebrate a quarter century!”
Category: Featured, Stage Buzz, Weekly
