Another Store Bites the Dust
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“Since alternative rock became a household name there’s been an oversaturation of records out there,” says proprietor Jillian Matson, who opened Blackout in June 1992 by buying out the stock and taking over the lease of the Pravda store, which she had managed for a year. “I can’t stock them all and keep up with it, and it’s really dampened my enthusiasm.” Matson says that as the store’s original customers have aged, by and large they’ve become less obsessed with records, and she admits that she too has lost the drive to keep up on pop music’s spiraling microstratification.
Matson also points out that in the last two years the neighborhood has changed dramatically: the influx of upscale restaurants and shops on the strip near the Music Box has brought with it traffic congestion and a parking crisis, both of which she claims have driven away customers. The resulting slow inventory turnover has further impeded her ability to carry the broad selection consumers expect these days.
“Look out honey ’cause I’m using technology,” warned Iggy Pop on the Stooges classic “Search and Destroy,” and after 25 years he’s made good on that threat. This week Columbia released his version of the final Stooges album, Raw Power. Back in 1972 the label opted for David Bowie’s mix–Iggy’s original was rejected–which is now considered one of the most infamous botch jobs in the history of pop music. Bowie flattened the band’s volatile, desperate energy like a pancake. The new version finally gives Ron Asheton’s bass a serious presence and the drums of his brother Scott some oomph without losing the crazed edge of James Williamson’s guitar. It remains one of the most reckless, devastating rock albums of all time. The new version doesn’t include any bonus material, but a few seconds are restored to the end of “Death Trip” and the silly marching sounds on “Search and Destroy” are gone.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): Photo of Jillian Matson by Marty Perez.
