WOEBOT

The Deeply Dysfunctional Stereolab Sleeve Tearer.

For the past six months a visit to the Camden Music and Video Exchange always meant confronting the trail of damage of North London's own "Ripper". A quick inspection of the Stereolab/Duophonic bin would reveal that some sicko had been tearing expensive second-hand Stereolab LP's in the top right-hand corner. Usually this was a gash an inch deep into the likes of "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" (on red vinyl). Record sleeve after record sleeve ruined. The staff told me they had to hook them out and sell them at reduced prices, now resorting to only putting a white sleeve in the bin, lambasted with taunts to that elusive ripper. I pressed them for any anecdotes, were there any suspects? One guy was apparently in the frame, but they "didn't want to cast aspersions." Quite right this loser could turn nasty! Leaving the shop I felt a distinct unease behind the counter.....come on, it wasn't me!

Posted by Woebot at February 18, 2003 12:04 PM