Alexa hails from the home of Birmingham, England, otherwise known as the birthplace of heavy metal. During the day she works as a History Lecturer at a University, and she also runs a website about the history of cemeteries called My Dark Travels. Yes, all of this very metal.
An ardent vinyl hunter, Alexa is our latest member of the Record Collector club.
How long have you been collecting records?
I started collecting records back in 2012. Someone bought me a basic portable record player and I began my collection from there. The first record I ever bought was the purple press of Blitzkid’s Five Cellar Below.
Where/how do you usually find your records these days?
I buy most of my records online, however, there is a great record shop called The Diskery in Birmingham where you can find some good stuff. I’m heading to Oslo in a few months specifically to go to Neseblod Records to pick up some black metal finds. Also, I’m fortunate because my husband works for a record label so he is always bringing home new records.
What is the most you paid for a single record, where/how did you obtain it, and what was it?
The most I paid for a record was actually for a copy of Fabio Frizzi’s score of the Fulci film The Beyond, pressed by Mondo (2012). Apart from that, I’ve got my eye on Mayhem’s first press of Deathcrush that I might need to remortgage my house for [laughs].
If you to pick one record label you feel had/has the best track record of quality releases, who would that be and what are some key titles you love?
Without a doubt, Rise Above Records have released some great records. For one, they released my favourite album of all time, Ghost’s Opus Eponymous. Their back catalogue includes Electric Wizard, Lucifer, The Oath, Cathedral, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats... need I say any more?!
Of everything in your current collection, what is your most prized record and why?
First off, my first press of Ghost’s Elizabeth on black vinyl from Iron Pegasus records. I also have a copy of The Count (yes, from Sesame Street) singing his hits which is a very special record to me.
Is there anything that frustrates you about the current record collecting scene?
It really frustrates me when I go to record fairs and there is hardly any decent metal stuff post 1990.
Which records are still on your want list that you've had a tough time tracking down through the years?
The DSP Burzum LP with Varg’s address and Pink Posercorpse Deathcrush.
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Follow Alexa on Instagram, and make sure you also check out her My Dark Travels blog.
Tagged: record collector
