By Danny R. Phillips
Kool Kats Readies Grand Opening at Black Salvage on October 4
In my opinion, a town is at least 50% cooler if it houses a record store within its borders. A long time staple of the now closing St. Joseph Antique Mall, Kool Kats Music Exchange has taken on the Herculean task of moving, organizing and shelving nearly 20,000 records and cds in time for Black Cat Salvage Anniversary Celebration Oct. 4.
Owner Dave DeSpain welcomed me into the new space for a sneak peek; what I saw set me aback. Thousands of records, posters from both movies and the music world line the walls. Bob Seger playing from behind the register, a decked out listening room, complete with a spotless 1970’s Pioneer Turntable and Bose speakers to zone out the world.
“I wanted a feel like the old Fox Emporium” DeSpain said, “You know, posters on the wall, tapestries, the smell of incense, music playing and great records.”
What DeSpain was hoping to achieve with his original spot, he may have fully realized at Black Cat. The store is a portal to a time when music was full and important, to a time when music was a way of life instead of a clip on a video. When it sparked debate on substance over style.
“I want people to come in, look around, start up a conversation.” DeSpain said, “I do this because I love music, I love records and talking about music.”
His passion for a wide sonic variety is apparent when taking a quick look through the shelves: jazz, the blues, 70s rock, a healthy amount of punk and alternative records, reggae, industrial. Many of the records I saw I did not expect to find in St. Joe.
“We’ve got most of it organized but the October 4th grand opening will be a bit of a treasure hunt.”
“Treasure Hunt.” Those words should pique the interest in any crate digger, words that put the scent in the air of a potential holy grail vinyl, the Great Whale that every record collector hopes to one day bring to shore.
Record Stores were once the hub, the center of a city’s musical heart. Friends forming bands will flipping through the New Arrivals section, arguments over musical brilliance, fought out in front of the bargain bin. Seeds of community planted. Record shops were a place were people could openly share ideas without fear of repercussions bigger than the occasional “You like that? That record sucked.” We need that now more than ever. God, do we need record stores.
Danny R. Phillips
Black Cat Salvage Anniversary & Kool Kats Grand Opening EventSaturday Oct. 4 beginning at 10am902 Edmond Street St. Joseph, Missouri
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