Paul Weller turns back on Record Store Day
Paul Weller has shunned future Record Store Days due to “anger and disappointment” over touts re-selling limited edition releases on eBay. The musician explained his reasons via a message posted to fans on his website who were unable to get a copy of, or “paid a lot of money” for a copy of, his one-off single created especially for the day.
500 copies were available on collectable seven-inch vinyl, the single contained two new tracks – Flame-Out! and The Olde Original. There are still a few copies listed on eBay selling for upwards of £25.
“I agree with all of you who have sent messages expressing your anger and disappointment at the exploitation of these “limited editions” by touts,” said Weller.
“Apart from making the record, the rest has very little to do with me but I am disheartened by the whole thing and unfortunately I won’t be taking part in Record Store Day again.
“It’s such a shame because as you know I am a big supporter of independent record stores but the greedy touts making a fast buck off genuine fans is disgusting and goes against the whole philosophy of RSD.
“There were copies of my single on eBay the day before Record Store Day and I’ve heard stories of people queuing outside their local record shop only to be told there were none left at opening time!
“It only takes a few to spoil a wonderful concept for everyone else. Shame on those touts. Don’t support their trade and don’t let them use Record Store Day to ruin the very thing it’s designed to support.”
A statement from Record Store Day said that although they share Weller’s frustration, the number of complaints over unauthorised sales this year is “well down on previous years” due to measure taken on re-sales.
They explained: “We continue to monitor eBay on an hour-by-hour basis. We clearly cannot control the activities of members of the public, but the Record Store Day Code of Conduct makes it clear that any store found to be complicit in unauthorised sales on eBay faces being banned from future events.
“Record Store Day would not exist without the support and commitment of artists and labels and we take our responsibility to them very seriously.”
Source: Music Week
