Digging spots in Germany

[Rythmn Boy]

This is a long shot. I am going to Germany next month for my mother-in-law's birthday. I'll probably be tied down with the family most of the time, but might be able to break away now and again. I'll be staying in Mulheim an der Ruhr in North Rhine-Westphalia. One of my brothers-in-law reckons there are no record shops or places to find them there, but he's not a collector. Maybe there is something in a nearby town? I'll probably also be going to Dusseldorf for at least one day and I will be spending a few days at Cochem on the Moselle. The latter is famous for wine, but I'd love to be sitting on the balcony of my hotel, sipping wine, enjoying the view of the Moselle and admiring my recently purchased Lords and Rattles singles etc. Actually, any sort of records. Where I live is almost completely bereft of vinyl

 

[gregk25]

Still many stores scattered all over the Ruhrgebiet (area around Mulheim), just how worth your while they are I'm unsure. Here's a list I found:

When in Düsseldorf head over the Hitsville, old, well established collectors store, likely no bargains, but where do you find any in stores these days? Slow Boy was an amazing store but the two owners split, one has a pop-up-store now, details here. Again not cheap, but v. nice selection for a German store.

If you're an early riser go check out a few flea markets on the weekend. You'd need to get there before 5 to have a chance to find some Krautrock or Prog, you'll still have loads of competition for those scratchy Starclub 45s.

You might connect with this guy. Bring him a few nice soul sides and he might take you on a tour.

Good luck!

 

[Rythmn Boy]

Many thanks gregk25. I'm sure to be able to look into at least one of these places. You have given me a great head start here. Much appreciated

 

[Rythmn Boy]

PS. That last link doesn't work. Or not for me, at least

 

[michaelvee]

have a good time and enjoy the dark, bitterish Altbier in the Altstadt (the old part) of my hometown Düsseldorf, also, the Rhine-valey is a splendid trip (and quite cheap, too!). as for 45s, I agree flee markets are the best address, although you might find some smaller shops. have a glass of Riesling on me, once you're there!

 

[Rythmn Boy]

Thanks Michael. Even if I don't find any 45s, it'll be worth the trip for the Altbier and the Riesling

 

[michaelvee]

definitly! Have fun! (PS where is NT?)

 

[Rythmn Boy]

Northern Australia - crocodile country - they ate all the 45s, as well as the tourists

 

[michaelvee]

beware of the terrible Rhine-monster, it eats all tourits, specially on 45 trash raids
...

 

[vinylfool]

Now I want ueriges and mett bruchen

 

[michaelvee]

Üriges is ok, and Mettbrötchen is a must (you can also order " 'ne halve Hahn" but you won't get half a chicken but extra stinky soft cheese, great with the beer! (:-)

 

[Rythmn Boy]

I'm back now. I drank enough Pils and Sekt to float a ship and it seemed we were always eating. Good food. I put on weight but found some records as well.

I went to a flea market and a secondhand shop in Mulheim, but nothing worthwhile there, just Rex Gildo, Heino and other things to avoid.

Thanks to Gregk45 and his contacts I knew about this record shop in Duisburg and one of my brothers-in-law offered to drive me there.



Behind the counter are two racks full of 45s running right across the shop. After picking out a few records there I was let into the kitchen next to the counter where there was a record shelf full of some rarer stuff. I picked out some more and then they let me into the cellar. Thousands of records down there, but not so well sorted out. I could have stayed there for weeks, but my brother-in-law was patiently waiting for me, so I only had a quick look. This shop is well worth a visit if you are in the region. Very friendly people, they gave me and my brother-in-law a cup of coffee, the records were moderate in price and they trusted me to be left alone in the cellar. I'd go there again.

This is what I got, not all German, not all garage:

The Lords: Have A Drink On Me/Late Last Saturday Night
The Lords: Que Sera/Boom Boom
The Lords: John Brown's Body/Cut My Hair
The Lords: Gloryland/Raindreams [all The Lords b-sides are better from a garage perspective]
The New Lords: Radio/TV
The Rattles: Sticks And Stones/Bye Bye Johnny
Ronny & The Daytonas: GTO/Hot Rod Baby
The Renegades: Cadillac/Bad Bad Baby
The Monkees: I'm A Believer/Steppin' Stone [just to get the German PS]
John O'Hara & His Playboys: Stampfkartoffeln Tatera/Louie Louie [what were these Scots doing in Germany?]
Casey Jones & The Governors: Jack The Ripper/So Long Baby
Ola & The Janglers: Land Of 1000 Dances/Thinkin' Of You

I also bought some records in Singapore on the way over and few more in Kuching, Borneo, on the way back, including The Beatles, The Archies and local favourites like Nancy Sit and Maurice Patton & The Melodians. In relation to this forum the best finds were Judy Lee and here Chinese version of The Monkees' 'Mary Mary' and the Bryan Neale & The Easybeats ep from Singapore. Hard to get that last one.

 

[michaelvee]

I'm happy you survivd the beer charges and you dig German food as well. (yep, John O'Hara & band were brits), good picks, anyway, the Lords are all top shelf, and So lang Baby (Casey Jones flip) is one of my all time greats!