Record Store Preview: Cupcakes and Vinyl

It is officially go time. Record Store Day 2011 is upon us and it takes on a whole new meaning this year as Vinyl Fever, a Tampa record institution for the last twenty some years, recently closed its doors. This makes buying from independent stores today, and everyday, that much more important. What's happening in the Tampa-St. Pete area (per Tampa Bay Online):

Daddy Kool, 666 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 822-5665. Live music, including headliner Guiltmaker, will be cranking up and down Central: at FUBAR and Local 662, plus DJs on the sidewalk. Daddy Kool will feature myriad daylong discounts plus a bounty of limited-release goodies. (Perhaps a 7-inch vinyl copy of Derek and the Dominos' Layla? Sweet.) Starts at 9:30 a.m.

The Disc Exchange, 6712 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 343-5845. Surf-rockers the Hodaddys will play a free parking lot show. Starts at 3 p.m.

Bananas Music and Movies, 2887 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 321-6814. Want more live music? You got it. This epic vinyl emporium ? arguably the most impressive record shop on the East Coast ? will feature gigs by such as the Dukes of Juke and James O'Neill and the Silver Shadows. Starts at 10 a.m.

Mojo Books, 2558 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 971-9717. Live in-store performances will go gown all day long, including sets by Diamond Man and Sons of Hippies. Starts at 9 a.m.

Hot Wax, 1524 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. (813) 248-6999. Ybor City artists will celebrate the big day by painting on old records and showcasing them in the store. Starts at noon.

We'll kick off our celebration with some words from An Horse.



Chris Brown of Bull Moose Records has some suggestions:



Now it is off to St. Pete for some cupcakes and records courtesy of Daddy Kool Records.