Hebden Bridge Web

Smiths legend Mike Joyce pledges to help flooded record store

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has donated some very rare signed vinyl to a special record fair that will help save Muse Music who lost their stock after floodwater ripped through Hebden Bridge on Boxing Day.

Mike Joyce

Mike's signed records form a unique retrospective of Britain's greatest indie band that is just one of the star attractions in a one off record fair at the Trades Club on Sunday 24 January with more collectable items pouring in every day.

Muse is one of the North's best loved independent record stores, but owners Sid and Valeen Jones lost stock and their café was gutted as the floodwater that devastated Market Street smashed through their defences.

Mike Joyce said, "Selling records can be a tough business, and I don't mean by having the right management or getting your song in the charts. I'm talking about the actual, physical act of 'selling records' in the retail market.

"So spare a thought for the good folks at Muse record shop who have had their stock destroyed in the recent flooding in Hebden Bridge. I've dug out a few rare records that they will be selling and you can help too. It's a beautiful part of West Yorkshire so the next time you're looking to buy some music, why not take a visit there?"

The record fair has organised by Trades Club entertainment manager Mal Campbell who was a regular in Muse and wanted to do something to help so emailed his music industry contacts who have all given generously to the appeal.

Mal Campbell said, "Hebden Bridge is town full of independent shops so I knew he Trades had to use our contacts to help Sid and Valeen, but rather do just do a gig we thought a record fair would be more fitting. So I contacted all the acts we have booked, and the record companies like Heavenly we have worked with, but I have amazed at the love being displayed towards Muse.

"Many of the bands we book pop into Muse and they really appreciate the support independent shops like Sid's give them so they were only too happy to offer quality vinyl and CDs we could sell. The haul we have already makes this a must attend afternoon for any serious record collector."

So far Mal has secured signed records from Tracey Thorn and a bundle of solo records from Charlatans singer Tim Burgess with Heavenly Records sending a package of rare records and Pete Wylie has donated some very rare signed Wah! Singles.

Award winning author Ben Myers and poet Adelle Stripe lives in Mytholmroyd, which was also devastated by the flood, so when they heard how badly Muse had been hit they issued an appeal to their music business contacts. Ben began his career as a music journalist so contacted some of the bands he has interviewed down the years as he hopes to run a stall at the fair, and is expecting records from stadium rockers Biffy Clyro, Enter Shikari, Field Music, Wolf People and Frankie and the Heartstrings.

Ben Myers said, "Like Hebden Bridge my town has really suffered but I wanted to use my contacts in the industry to help and they have all offered some really collectable items so I'm expecting packages from Mojo magazine, Kerrang, Metal Hammer, the Quietus website, Division Promotions, One Little Indian and American label Jagjaguwar.

"Domino Records have just sent us some signed Franz Ferdinand, Sparks and Hot Chip signed records and some Arctic Monkeys rarities. BBC 6 Music DJ Mark Riley is bringing up a package of goodies up when he comes for the Field Music gig at the Trades, and acclaimed rock photographer Amelia Troubridge has donated stunning limited edition prints of Nick Cave and Lemmy who recently passed away."

Some of Hebden Bridge's independent shops have reopened, but all the proceeds from the record fair which kicks off at 1pm will help Sid and Valeen rejoin their fellow traders on Market Street.