Colin goes on record for big day

DAY to remember . . . Colin White (left) and his band High Society

TWO special releases look set to be the highlight emerging from Manchester's Vinyl Revival shop on Record Store Day, on April 22.

Vinyl Revival is the popular Hilton Street store owned by Chadderton's Colin White, who got the inspiration to open up 20 years ago from his dad, who ran a successful record stall on Oldham Market in the 1970s and early 1980s.

There will be 560 new releases across the country on Record Store Day, but White is particularly excited to be releasing a 12" EP from long-since defunct band One Summer, and a second punk compilation which features local bands who were once popular in the city, the likes of V2, Fast Cars, Emergency, the Enigma, Foreign Press, as well as nine others.

White said: "One Summer formed after the High split up in the early 90s, and this 12" features previously unreleased tunes from 1995.

"It'll be great to see them finally see the light of day get a bit of airplay after so long.

"It was just a case of going into the studio and recording some demos for One Summer really.

"They were trying to get a deal after the High split, and but unfortunately that didn't come to fruition and the demos get left.

"This is what I tend to pick up on with the label I run from the shop now. I try and seek out the great Manchester bands that never made it, and get their tunes out there again.

"The punk album features band from the Greater Manchester area. We did one a couple of years ago and it 'compilation of the week' on BBC 6 Music.

"We've managed to do a volume two, though it does take a while because you're chasing bands down, chasing tracks down - that's why this album has been a year in the making."

Record Store Day - and the lead-up to it - will prove hectic for White, but he's used to that as the vinyl business remains brisk.

He said: "Although it remains mainly new sales, there has always been a good healthy second-hand vinyl market.

"The major labels have got back involved this last five years or so which have helped with press and things, and though business isn't that much better, it is still good.

"The decrease in CD sales has balanced it out, but our location is great.

"The Northern Quarter is an up-and-coming area of course, and it's still growing.

"We get a lot of tourists in and that leads to media coverage even overseas.

"If we do ever go quiet with the local stuff, then the sales to tourists lifts us up again."

Meanwhile, there is another special date in White's diary this year - October 21.

That's when he and his former band, High Society, are re-forming after two decades to play, alongside One Summer, at the Ruby Lounge in the city centre.

White, the band's drummer, explained why this unique night has been arranged.

He said: "It's the 20th anniversary of the shop this year, and it's actually 20 years since we played at Manchester's most iconic club, The Hacienda. I just wanted to put the two together - have a bit of a party for the shop and try to get the band back together.

"Everybody's agreed to do that, so I then approached One Summer and now they're on board too.

"We may even try to drag in a third band to play yet."

He added: "I like the Ruby Lounge. I've promoted quite a few shows there, the staff are great, it's a great place and it is a good size.

"It's one of my favourite places in town to see a gig, so why not have ours there?

"I think it'll be busy. We'll pull in a lot of friends and family, people who've not seen High Society for 20 years, and then obviously shop regulars. It'll be a busy night."