Hauke Klenz is a 35-year-old PE, History, and English teachder. His lives with his son and girlfriend in northern Germany, where he's a huge sports fan, and also loves to partake in some vinyl hunting. So, let's welcome Hauke into the Record Collector club.
How long have you been collecting records for?
I started buying music (CDs) when I was 10-years-old and at the age of 12 ordered my first music via a mailorder. I gave my parents a list with like two or three CDs every once in a while and they would make the call. Well, one day I happened to put the Warzone/Cause for Alarm split 10“ on one of those lists, thinking that, Split 10“ was the title of the record [laughs]. Of course, it wasn't and when I opened the package I was like, "What the heck am I gonna do with this?“ Anyway, I got my dad's old portable record player from the attic and that's where my record collecting habits took off.
Where/how do you usually find your records these days?
In case I'm looking for something rare, I usually consult Discogs or eBay, but when I order new/regular releases, I usually go with XsentientX.com. It's a great distro, offering music at very reasonable prices.
What is the most you paid for a single record, where/how did you obtain it and what was it?
Around the time Chain of Strength played the REV25 show in New York City, I found a Chain Crew 7“ on eBay being described as "no insert but matrix matches“ for quite a bit of money. It was an alright deal but I never really felt like actually owning a Chain Crew since mine didn't have an insert. A couple years ago I traded it away for a red copy of In My Eyes' The Difference Between and a second press of the Turning Point 7“. Probably not a 1:1 deal when it comes to money value, but definitely when it comes to emotional value since In My Eyes is one of my all-time favorite bands.
If you had 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.
Revelation Records. They released some of my most favorite bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Side by Side, Chain of Strength, In My Eyes, Battery…. the list goes on and on. Gorilla Biscuis' Start Today is the best hardcore record ever written.
Of everything in your current collection, what is your most prized record and why?
My most cherished record is the record release edition of Have Heart's Songs to Scream at the Sun. Long before I knew about Sweet Pete's (singer of In My Eyes) connection to the band, I got in touch with him via MySpace. We didn't chat very often but whenever we did, it was really nice. Well, when the release show of that record was around the corner, I asked Pete if he could maybe get me a copy. He was totally cool with it, although he only knew me from a couple of chats. It was such a nice move of him and I'm still very thankful for that!
Is there anything that frustrates you about the current record collecting scene?
Skyrocketing prices on eBay and Discogs. It's just way beyond ridiculous. Also, shipping fees for records from overseas and the constant record flipping are really pissing me off!
Which records are still on your want list that you've had a tough time tracking down through the years?
Start Today on purple and any of the Conne Island versions of Gorilla Biscuits' S/T 7“ immediately come to mind. But only for reasonable prices, though [laughs].
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Tagged: record collector
