Cherrystones Feature in the Record Collector!

05/09/06

As Cherrystones, DJ Gareth Goddard has supplied the psychedelic soundtrack for the All Tomorrow’s Parties and Green Man Festivals, the last Pete Doherty/Carl Barat Libertines shows, Morricone nights at the ICA and moer.  He mixes beat-matching and hip-hop aesthetics with a krautrock, psych-rock, prog rock, punk rock freakbeat to turn ‘the dullest event into thee iconic happening’.

When he isn’t DJ’ing, Gareth is in a band called Prey, with Barry 7 from Add N to X.  They have completed a forthcoming album with a ‘mad electronic vibe’.  On October 23rd, he follows up his acclaimed 2002 Cherrystones Rocks compilation of psych rock oddities with a nwe collection, called Cherrystones Word on Poptones on the 23rd of October.

What do you collect?

Krautrock, European and world psych, Italian soundtracks and library music, obscure glam rock singles, and contemporary and other rock hybrids!

How big is your collections?

Around 6000 LPs/12"s and 2000 singles.  With time you realise that size is only relevant to quality.  I know people with far more records but its pointless accumulating things that don’t get listened to or appreciated.

What is it worth?

To me, it’s worth a lot.  I have a story for every record, and get pleasure from every listen.  To put a price on it financially would devalue it for me.  This is a lifetime’s work and toil - how can you price that?  Having said that, I know how much each item is worth, but I don’t want to encourage jealousy!

How do you store it?

It varies.  Shelves, record bags, crates and secret stashes for my LPs with beats on it!  It’s like a family, trying to keep them at peach and in order.

What’s the rarest item you’ve got?

It’s tricky to pinpoint one thing, as so many are still undocumented discoveries!  I have an amazing Hebrew private pressing psych LP with really heavy fuzz guitar and phased, long percussion tracks, like Niagara.  No one can shed any light on that.  All the text is in Hebrew!

What elusive gem are you still looking for?

That I cannot disclose!  Too many times in the past I’ve submitted wants, only for a dealer or collector to hoist up the price or keep it for himself.  I don’t mean to sound cynical, but it’s a fact!  People will often keep things, just have to one up on someone else.  Revealing your wantsis always the biggest mistake you can make.

How do you track stuff down?

I have very good resources.  Years of sifting through many genres has taught me to read records by their ingredients - musicians, studios, producers, etc… Friends and old school record dealers are always the safest bet.  They know what you like and can tell the difference between profit and a good turn.  The internet is boring and overrated and boot sales are littered with Del Boys.

What’s your favourite record shop?

Ultima Thule in Leicester specialises in Krautrock, European Psych and world progressive.  I’ve been buying there for a good 14 years or so, and it always manages to dazzle and to stick to its guns in a tough market.  Alan Freeman, who runs the shop with his brother Steve, is a good friend of mine. Where else can you buy Swedish private press LPs or Wolfgang Dauner rarieties?

How often do you listen to your collection?

All the time!  Well, as much as I can.  All my records are there for a reason and serve a purpose with regards to mood and inspiration.  It’s as much as a medicine cabinet as a historic vault.

Is there a visual side to your urge to collect?

Definitely.  Throughout its history, Krautrock has some of the most striking and forward-thinking graphics every presented.  Most of the records are as pleasing aesthetically as they are musically.  It was a very inventive time, devoid of marketing and spreadsheets.  A lot of my purchases are sold on the sleeves alone.  It gives you a whole different angle on collecting.

When the time comes, how will you eventually dispose of your collection?

The philanthropist in me would like to leave them to a self instated museum, to share the fruits of my labour with the general public.  But I guess I’ll leave them to my girlfriend, children and friends, with strict instructions on how to look after them!

What’s your all time favourite record, regardless of rarity or value?

Ege Bamyasi by Can.  I can leave that to run from start to finish without any interruption.

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