Closing Antiquarium marks the end of an era; Millions announce reunion, rarities album; Desa in the NYT…
by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com
Antiquarium Records, 417 So. 13th St.
The Antiquarium announced yesterday via its Facebook page that it’s closing its doors.
“Well this is a little out of left field but the store is closing,” said the Facebook post. “Hopefully we will be reopening at some point but our debt has got a little out of control and we just can’t go on anymore for the time being.”
These are hard times for record stores, let alone one that caters to vinyl lovers, local music and underground bands. The shop’s legacy goes back decades when it was operated by the late, great Dave Sink and is arguably one of our music scene’s most influential businesses. The legacy was underscored in the remembrances written upon Dave’s passing last January (read them here).
“Of course there is a sale as well,” the Facebook entry continues. “All CDs are a buck a piece. All dollar records are a quarter. Everything else is 50% off. Come get killer deals and say goodbye.”
How long until all the record stores are gone?
BTW, an Oct. 19 benefit concert at The Sandbox is being organized by Black Heart Booking to help the store’s proprietors pay down their debt. Bands who want to get involved should email blackheartbook@hotmail.com.
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Speaking of The Sandbox, it just announced that Titus Andronicus is scheduled to play there Nov. 21. It’s a Slowburn Production. Now let’s see if they can keep from moving the gig to another venue…
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The Millions, sometime in the ’90s.
Seminal Lincoln post-punk indie band The Millions, who disappeared around 1995, announced via its Facebook page that it’s reuniting for a show Dec. 1 at The Bourbon Theater. The reunited Millions will feature original members Lori Allison, Harry Dingman III and Marty Amsler. Drummer Brandon McKenzie will take over drums from original drummer Greg Hill, who isn’t participating in the reunion.
“The band is playing this one time only show to celebrate the release of Poison Fish, a 21-song CD of rare and unreleased recordings from the earliest days of the band,” says the announcement.
I have to admit being only peripherally familiar with The Millions back in the day since it seems like they rarely played in Omaha. In fact, I ordered a used copy of their first release, M Is for Millions, last night from Amazon.com for $1.99 after watching a video of the single “Sometimes” on YouTube.
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Thumbing through my copy of the Sunday New York Times Magazine what did my wandering eyes should appear but a feature on Desaparecidos. The story, online right here, reported nothing we haven’t already read in other articles. The biggest news was the fact that the NYT Mag printed the article at all considering that Desa has no current plans for either a new album or additional touring. Seems like Desa is getting more press now than it did a decade ago. Will it be enough to coax Conor into doing more Desa shows?
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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.
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The Millions played Omaha quite a lot. Ever hear of a place called Sharkey’s?
Comment by bone head — October 1, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
The Millions actually played many Omaha clubs. Here is partial list: The Lift Ticket, Howard Street 5 times, Peony Park Ballroom, Outdoor Omaha festival w/Matthew Sweet, Sharkfest w/311.
Comment by Millions Fan — October 1, 2012 @ 9:54 pm