[saltandiron]

It would appear that fopp is in the process of going belly up, to all accounts its going to go into administration imminently, wages not being paid etc.

bit of a shame, especially seeing as that leaves us with HMV and not much else in Bath.

Could still be turned around but doesnt look too likely.

[saltandiron]

a few links.....

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6252300.stm

drownedinsound.com/articles/2117132
(its been rumbling along for a week or so now)

business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article2002754.ece

www.thebookseller.com/news/41393-fopp-closes-doors-as-administration-looms.html
quote
A statement put out by its management at 12.30 today read: "It is with great regret that we announce the closure of Fopp. Our chain is profitable, well regarded and loved by our loyal customers and staff. However we have failed to gain the necessary support from major stakeholders, suppliers and their credit insurers to generate sufficient working capital to run our expanding business. We would like to thank staff and customers for their support over the past 25 years."

[rolyateel]

fucking travesty
top top shop

not much cop on new stuff (on-line is cheaper) but for the back-catalogue of proper music they carry they are second to none

....or were second to none

[smashedhat]

saltandiron said:

bit of a shame, especially seeing as that leaves us with HMV and not much else in Bath.

Could still be turned around but doesnt look too likely.

Bring back Rival Records!

[blacksy]

They wont pull it back
Music Zone died in January, and Fopp stupidly bought 67 stores from them.
Its a domino effect

Our Price died, MVC bought Our Price, MVC Died, Music Zone Bought MVC, Music Zone Died, Fopp Bought Music Zone, and now Fopp is Dead.
HMV profits were down 50% on last year, Virgin's ran at a loss for the last 2 years.

The day the music died...................... happened a long long time ago.

Think of all those modern toss birthday cards, and books lying around in those abandoned stores!

[ell]

its sad that people dont buy music anymore. i love buying both cd's and vinyl. fopp was good. i hope they have a massive closing down sale.

i hope that for the rest of my life i will be still be able to go to a music shop and look through vinyls/cds

[dave313perry]

Iv got abit of a thing with vinyl's! they will never Die!!! not for the music tho i must add but the covers/artwork! i think they look amazing framed! i also like alot of the vinylkillers- slightly off subject but kinda not!?!?!?

[scavos]

Last post of the day 4 me cos god do I need my beauty sleep! As a music collector, it's another sad day as yet one more the nail in is hammered into the physical format coffin. I like cds but I'm a complete vinyl freak for the feel, smell, look and sound as well, of course, as the covers. It's such a shame to hear of yet another victim. That said, I believe vinyl will be around for many years to come and has even made a resurgence over the last 5 years mainly due to ltd indie releases and the boyant dance scene. The main difference being the way it is bought. The internet is just so easy and convenient. IMO the major downside is that my beloved vinyl all too often falls victim to the postal system and gets mashed up beyond recognition - or at least arrives in less than mint condition, which would never do!
Sadly the days of popping down to Pride records in Lincoln are over. But at least there are still outlets that do sell the real deal and bless them for keeping it going; just a lot less than there were. You still can't beat that trawl through the racks for that slab you've been after. Oh you've set me off now but the bed beckons! Let's hope for a Banksy tomorrow eh? Peace

[ell]

i dont understand how people can pay to download music. i mean when i pay for music (which i do 99% of the time but i will download the odd song i like) i love to look at artwork and have something in my hand. i love vinyl and i love the collector aspect of it too. i've got some really rare vinyl.

and everyones gunna be f**ked when their computer break!

its the same with photography. i still use film for the majority of the time because i do photography at college and people ALWAYS say how pointless it is etc. and im like its art! and it makes me really angry because black and white hand processed photos look a million times better than something printed of a s**tty digital camera.

sorry bit off topic! i think i was born in the wrong generation

[teatwosugars]

Vinyl is definitely never going to die!

IMO decks have become immortalised as a musical instrument now. Scratching, beat juggling, beat mixing etc etc is an art form in itself and commands huge respect the world over. I would much rather watch Mixmaster Mike, Q-bert, Cutmaster Swift, Scratch Perverts etc than performances on many other instruments!

The same argument could be applied for cd's, though for me it just doesn't have the same clout as battling/mixing with vinyl.

Scavos- I love your post and had a big smile while reading it! + I do occasionally order from internet based shops, but there's nothing like flicking through the racks to find that gem ;D

Keep the vinyl alive people! ;D

[Paul]

i love fopp cus i got my adam neate pizza box in there

[Strange Al]

I have to admit that I'm a bit of a vinyl junkie too. Think there's probably quite a few of us on here. It's a fairly small step from obsessive record collector to street art/print addict.

I don't see the format disappearing anytime soon. In fact, if you look at recent industry figures there has actually been something of a revival in vinyl sales in recent months.

That said, I've warmed to music in digital format in the last couple of years. I was always a purist from both an analog sound and djing perspective. Though, tools like Final Scratch and Ableton open up a whole new world for the turntablist.

[johnas]

glad to see Cutmaster Swift's name mentioned here! My best mate works at DMC with Swifty and he's a real top fella

[scavos]

teatwosugars said:

Vinyl is definitely never going to die!

IMO decks have become immortalised as a musical instrument now. Scratching, beat juggling, beat mixing etc etc is an art form in itself and commands huge respect the world over. I would much rather watch Mixmaster Mike, Q-bert, Cutmaster Swift, Scratch Perverts etc than performances on many other instruments!

The same argument could be applied for cd's, though for me it just doesn't have the same clout as battling/mixing with vinyl.

Scavos- I love your post and had a big smile while reading it! + I do occasionally order from internet based shops, but there's nothing like flicking through the racks to find that gem ;D

Keep the vinyl alive people! ;D

Many thanks teatwosugars! Glad it struck a chord. LONG LIVE VINYL!! Ths has reminded me to keep an eye open for the next local record fair. Good old charity shops are one of my best sources for gems now. Worth ploughing through all the classical and Ray Conniff stuff for!

[discoduster]

FOPP did some great books an all mind! I got Led Zep Hammer Of The Gods, Keith Moon and tons of other biogs..oh and Wall And Piece Hardback with dustcover!

RIP

[discoduster]

smashedhat said:

saltandiron said:

bit of a shame, especially seeing as that leaves us with HMV and not much else in Bath.

Could still be turned around but doesnt look too likely.

Bring back Rival Records!

and Replay!

[scavos]

Thought this might be encouraging for all those fellow vinyl junkies out there - of which there appear to be many...

music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2127350,00.html

13% rise in good old 7" vinyl sales can't be bad.

A shout also for Art Vinyl the framing store for record covers that many of you have used for the Badmeaningood covers (I want!)