Featured Store: Seismic Records

Seismic Stu – 20 Years of Vinyl Passion

Stuart Smith, better known as Seismic Stu, is the owner of Seismic Records a must-visit destination for vinyl fans heading to Warwickshire. Lovingly known by locals as “Leamington’s Best Kept Secret”, the shop has become a cornerstone of the town’s music scene.

Stu’s record retail journey began at the legendary Andy’s Records around the Millennium. He then spent five years at Fopp, where he helped with vinyl buying at a time when they were one of the largest vinyl importers in the UK. Ironically, Fopp decided to stop selling vinyl companywide, declaring it a “dead format.” Stu thought this was madness. He quit on the spot and just a few months later, in 2005, opened Seismic Records on a shoestring budget. Within 18 months, the shop had been featured in The Guardian, who questioned the wisdom of opening a vinyl store just as downloads were beginning to dominate. Twenty years later, that decision looks pretty seismic.

Stu remembers opening day clearly. It was Good Friday. And for the music fans of Leamington Spa it truly was a good Friday. Stu’s previous store was located inside a local music venue, which meant bands often wandered in between soundchecks for a browse. One standout moment came in 2014 when The Misfits played in town. Two members came down to the shop, one in full makeup and casually flicked through the racks. Shortly afterwards, a local customer came in to order something and didn’t bat an eyelid. Stu still laughs about how surreal it felt and admits he’s forever annoyed he didn’t get any photos (possibly due to being in shock). He remembers the band as lovely guys and even ended up posting a handful of LPs out to Dez Cadena’s home in the U.S. (formerly of Black Flag) so he didn’t have to carry them around for the rest of the tour.

Although not a born promoter Stu dabbled with music events and had some great bands play for Seismic here in town over the years. Highlights have been The Bonnevilles, Sleaford Mods, The Mystery Lights, The Spitfires & Nizlopi.

I asked Stuart which Proper releases he’s currently excited about.
He said:
“Currently I’m looking forward to Luke Una Presents E Soul Cultura Vol. 3 and the new Black Crowes album, A Pound of Feathers, both released in March through Proper Music Distribution.
They are still one of my favourite distros. I’ve been dealing with Proper rep Greg Soder for 25 years now, since his days at Pinnacle (R.I.P.). He’s an absolute legend. He consistently goes above and beyond.”

The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made It Happen

Graham Jones is the author of ‘The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made It Happen’ which has features on over 200 independent record shops that he has visited. The book was made in to a film titled ‘The Vinyl Revival’ available on DVD. Both can be ordered from Proper, independent record shops, Amazon and other online retailers.

Read about the book, film and vinyl soundtrack here