It’s that time of year again; Record Store Day 2026 is happening this Saturday, April 18th.
I am sure most of you that are reading this are aware of what Record Store Day is but for those who may be new to the concept, I will give you a quick run- down of how it works and what it’s all about.
Record Store Day - or RSD to the veteran record shoppers - started back in 2008 as a way to bring attention to independent record stores by having limited unique releases that you could purchase on the day of Record Store Day. It has grown over the years to become an international event that record collectors look forward to every year.
Basically, it’s like Christmas for physical format junkies.
The list for RSD has grown over the years and this year’s list may feature more titles than any previous year. There are literally hundreds of titles being released!
RSD caters to all music genres - Rock, Metal, Punk, Jazz, etc. There’s always something for everyone. Although there is no Mott the Hoople this year; sorry -Ricki C. - maybe next year.
Here is a list of some titles, with descriptions pulled from the official Record Store Day website, that I thought might appeal to the readers of Pencil Storm.
Go out on Saturday and support your local record stores, they will have lots of stuff waiting for you.
Some of these titles are more limited than others, so you are encouraged to arrive at your local store early for best selection. Maybe call ahead to see if your favored store is open special hours for Record Store Day.
Metal, Rock, Punk and a smidge of Power-Pop
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
July 16, 1978 - Paradise Theater, Boston, MA
A wild night from the You're Gonna Get It tour was recorded on 2-track at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA, and broadcast by local rock radio station WBCN-FM.
Bootleg recordings of the broadcast have been a fan favorite for decades.
Now the Tom Petty Estate is making this concert officially available.
The audio restoration was done by Tom Petty producer Ryan Ulyate.
The show features 9 performances, including 5 classic cover versions.
The LP is on 180g pink and green translucent splatter color vinyl and contains a vintage tour sticky pass.
The Cars
Heartbeat City Live
Celebrating over 40 years since its original release, Heartbeat City remains The Cars’ most commercially successful album, certified 4x platinum in the US and charting worldwide. Produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, it features six hit singles including “Drive,” “You Might Think,” and “Magic.” Features all live versions from 1984 recorded at The Summit in Houston, Texas.
KISS
A Special KISS Tour Album
After the massive success of KISS's fourth studio album Destroyer, the band embarked on a 1976 summer tour. Casablanca Records released as a promo-only 12-inch EP with the four singles from the Destroyer album entitled A Special KISS Tour Album.
Now commercially available for the first-time ever, for Record Store Day 2026. Enhanced with spot gloss details on the jacket, the EP is featured at 45rpm for the first-time and pressed on black & white splatter vinyl.
Dada
El Subliminoso (REMASTERED, EXPANDED, 30TH ANNIVERSARY)
Dada follow the successful RSD 2025 release of Puzzle with a remastered-for-vinyl release of their third album, fan favorite El Subliminoso. This is the ‘90s alternative rock group Dada’s final album for I.R.S. Records, produced by Dada, Scott Gordon, and Adam Weiner and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge. First released in the U.S. in April of 1996, the album includes songs that inspire audience sing-alongs like “Bob the Drummer” and “A Trip with My Dad”.
This Record Store Day 30th Anniversary 2 LP “Plasma” Vinyl release adds four bonus tracks to the albun’s long-awaited vinyl debut and is limited to 1500 copies.
Van Halen
Live in New Haven, CT 1986
For the first time on vinyl, Live in New Haven, CT 1986 captures the band’s newly retooled lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony in raw, peak form during their triumphant ‘5150’ tour.
Two consecutive New Haven summer shows were originally recorded for Van Halen’s ‘Live Without A Net’ video release. This performance features the band tearing through an exhilarating mix of hits, album cuts, covers, and soon-to-be classics.
2LP set pressed on clear vinyl.
The Darkness
One Way Ticket To Birmingham (Live at the NEC)
Double live album of The Darkness’s show on the “On Way Ticket To Hell ..And Back” arena tour of the UK. Remixed by guitarist Dan Hawkins and available on vinyl for the first time, this live set features many hits from their first album, “Permission To Land”. Pressed on Red and Yellow marbled vinyl.
Ramones
Live In San Francisco
Recorded live at the Summer In The City music festival for FM broadcast, this was their first show following the recording sessions for End Of The Century. First official release. 2-LP 140g Neon Pink vinyl.
The Muffs
Live At Fort Apache
Live performance at Fort Apache hot off the heels of their second album Blonder And Blonder. This Record Store Day release features a unique cover and is pressed on opaque yellow vinyl.
New York Dolls
One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This
Color vinyl reissue of the long out of print 2006 reunion album from the New York Dolls in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Limited Edition 2LP set.
Judas Priest
Live in Los Angeles '90
Previously only available on CD as part of the 50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music boxset, this transparent purple vinyl edition captures Judas Priest's performance at the Foundations Forum, Los Angeles on 13th September 1990 on their Painkiller tour.
Motorhead
On Parole Steve Wilson Remix
The very first recordings made my Motorhead in 1975 and 1976, featuring Lemmy, guitarist Larry Wallis from the Pink Fairies, drummer Phil Taylor and original drummer Lucas Fox. All nine tracks have been remixed by Steven Wilson. Pressed on Black & White Marble vinyl.
Megadeth
Hidden Treasures
This is the first time available on vinyl EP that features 8 tracks, with this RSD Edition to include 4 extra tracks that was exclusive to the Japanese Version. Making this entire now 12 track album full of Covers, Soundtrack hits and Demos. Made with an alternate cover from the original in a 1LP Color Remastered Vinyl.
Thin Lizzy
Live in Cleveland 1976
Thin Lizzy were a band at the peak of their powers in 1976, having released both Johnny the Fox and Jailbreak in one year - the definitive Thin Lizzy studio albums featuring such hits as ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, ‘Jailbreak’, ‘Warriors’, and ‘Cowboy Song’.
Jailbreak was released in March 1976 and was seen as the band’s breakthrough album in America, reaching number 18 on the Billboard charts and was a top ten record in the UK.
Johnny The Fox was recorded in the same year and was released in October 1976 to critical acclaim, reaching no.11 in the UK charts.
This show (Cleveland 11/05/1976 WMMS Radio Broadcast), pulled from the acclaimed box set, is the first official version on vinyl, presented as a 2LP set with printed inserts and on transparent vinyl.
Soul Jazz Records Presents
POWER POP! American Power Pop For The Now Generation 1977-81
Tracklist
A1. Ambulance - It's All Up To You A2. Dow Jones and The Industrials - Let’s Go Steady A3. Hot Dates - I Can't Stay A4. Nastyfacts - Drive My Car A5. Pointed Sticks - What Do You Want Me to Do? A6. The Normals - Hardcore A7. Shoes - Tomorrow Night
B1. The Reactions - It's Our Turn Now B2. Puppet Rulers - Outta My Mind B3. Testors - Together B4. The Scruffs - You're No Fun B5. The Reruns - So So Alone B6. The Wigs - You Say Ono B7. The Fingers - Isolation B8. The Reactions - In Society
Starcrawler
Starcrawler Sings Elvis Presley
RSD Exclusive 7" with rocking versions of Elvis Presley's classics "Baby Let's Play House" and "Blue Moon”, packaged in a clear sleeve with a postcard insert, autographed by Starcrawler.
T. Rex
Songs from "Marc"
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Live At The Ritz NYC 1981
LIVE AT THE RITZ NYC 1981 -- Hear Joan Jett & the Blackhearts blaze through a set of hits at one of the most exciting times in the band’s career. This New Years Eve show celebrated the totality of 1981– a year that saw the release of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ explosive intro record Bad Reputation and their unstoppable follow-up I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll. Performed live at an East Village staple of concerts and nightlife, experience all these influential no-frills rock’n’roll gems including “Bad Reputation,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah),” “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Crimson and Clover.”
Bruce Springsteen
Live From Asbury Park 2024
Available for the first time on vinyl, hear Bruce Springsteen's electrifying homecoming performance in Asbury Park at the 2024 Sea.Hear.Now festival. Spanning over three hours of powerhouse performances in front of 35,000 people, this 5LP set features Springsteen at his dynamic best, backed by the legendary E Street Band. Spanning Springsteen's iconic catalog, this record includes hits such as "Thunder Road" and "Dancing in the Dark," plus songs that Springsteen wrote just down the road from this stage, including "Blinded By The Light" and "Growin' Up."
Jeff Buckley
Live À L'Olympia
This live album captures Jeff Buckley and band across two nights in Paris July 6th & 7th during his 1995 European tour in support of the release of his Grace album. Captured at the legendary Olympia, it found Buckley before a rapturous French crowd performing half of the songs from his beloved debut album ( including favorites like “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” and “Hallelujah”) plus covers as varied as the MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams,” a Led Zeppelin parody and songs made famous by Nina Simone and Edith Piaf. In addition, the album features an additional live performance of Buckley and Alim Qasimov in a competitive Qawwali singing duet from a festival of sacred music also captured that year in France. Originally released in 2001, this marks the album’s first time on vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day.
Talking Heads
The CBS/Columbia Demos
First official vinyl release of the demo sessions recorded by the original three-piece lineup of Talking Heads (Tina Weymouth, David Byrne and Chris Frantz) for CBS/Columbia in 1975. Featuring 15 tracks across 2LPs cut at 45rpm by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound. Includes demos of "Psycho Killer", " Love --> Building On Fire", "Warning Sign" and more.
So, that is just scratching the surface of titles that will be available at your local record store this Saturday.
You can check out the full list of titles here on the official Record Store Day website.
Go buy some records!
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus bands Radio Tramps and Unmasked OH! He is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly-lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.