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Grasshopper Records
Grasshopper Records doesn't have a storefront sign yet. Just milk crates chock-full of records sitting out font, unassumingly. Oh, and Wu-Tang's "Protect Ya Neck" debut single resting in the window. Welcome to Grasshopper, Toronto's newest used record store.
A fairly narrow store, sitting in Little Portugal, Grasshopper offers a laidback environ as soon as you enter. With exposed brick running the length of the shop, records and Star Wars memorabilia fill the space. The records, all used and many are great finds I notice from quickly browsing, range from The Cure to NWA to Bob Marley to Sonic Youth to Bruce Springsteen.
Behind the counter is Derek Madison, aka Grasshopper, the shop's owner and Toronto music scene aficionado. With long dreads tied up atop his head and a sleeveless black shirt, Madison is well known in Toronto's music scene.
He's played in Toronto's Grasshopper (where his handle comes from) since the early '90s, not to mention playing in Transcendental Rodeo, 10,000 Watt Head and Glass Sex on the side. He also DJ's every Monday at The Red Light, just down the street in Little Portugal. "I really thought this neighbourhood needed something that wasn't a bar, as much as I love all the bars," says Madison.
Having sold records from his large personal collection to "beat junkies and diggers" for years in Kensington, he wanted to move into his own space. And by large collection, I mean large, as he started collecting vinyl when he was in Grade 2, says Madison. And he knows his music well. He has listened to about 95% of the records he's selling. "I just bring records into the store that I dig," he says. "So if someone picks out a record, I'll be like 'This is great, this one sucks, this is the part I like [on this album].'"
When he was younger, Madison went to Rotate This and hungout on the couches. He loved the in-store shows with bands like The Melvins and Codeine. "So I was like I want my record store to be like that!" He's already done a number of in-store shows with bands like Sailboats are White and Mass Horns. Brendan Canning helped DJ the store opening in April.
For NXNE, next Thursday, he has Brooklyn's MEN doing an in-store. "And it's not your conventional party zone so it feels more like a party." Good thing, as he has a liquor licence for the shows too.
Writing and photography by Ryan Bolton
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Next question - how are the prices? It would probably take a complicated model to match something as archaic as used vinyl prices, but you couldn't review a restaurant on this site without talking about cost. I'm assuming that it's on par with the rest of the city, but that's a detail that should be mentioned.
Two seconds on eBay and he could confirm prices--the Panda Bear Person Pitch is on there right now new for $18. Why would anyone pay $25 for a used one with a beat-up cover? (Most of the covers at Grasshopper are beat, btw).
I had high hopes when I heard a new shop was moving into the neighbourhood but, at these prices, I'll continue to travel a little further.
Also, does anyone know if there's any other bands aside from the Men playing here during NXNE?
Really? I was asking an honest question (how do prices compare?) and people gave their opinions (prices are high). That's not really what I'd call whining - that's what I'd call an online information exchange.
and personally, I judge a record shop by the quality of their discount bins. Are there good finds in there, or is it just old CHFI and KTel compilations? I'll reserve judgement on that until I see the shop for myself.
His prices are truthfully on par with other shops in most cases. That being said, I dug around and I got wicked deals on all the records I found.
I've seen a few records that I would consider a little overpriced on the sticker - but dude, Derek the owner is IN the store - he's like, standing RIGHT THE FUCK THERE. So, if you see a record you want, but the price isn't right just TALK TO HIM. How hard is that? Sheesh.