As a record collector, it is always nice to hear of new spots to check out in our small but zealous city. Record selling is by no means a lucrative business venture so the small few that have managed to turn their hobby into somewhat of a day job, do so for the love.
Crooks Cuts Records, a new-ish spot in Midland town centre, is one such place. Opened in 2019 by Gareth, who has been on the local Perth scene for some time as an MC and producer, Crooks Cuts Records’ walls and shelves are adorned with Hip Hop memorabilia and DJ equipment. Placed prominently on the wall is a signed copy of Australian Hip Hop pioneers Lyrical Commission’s Murderous Metaphors album, graffed up skateboards and signed posters from Melbourne super producer Must Volkoff. On display, and maybe for sale, are DJ mixers, an Akai MPC 1000 and an Akai MPC 2000. You might even get the chance to mess about on a Technics 1200.
Crooks Cuts Records, a new-ish spot in Midland town centre, is one such place. Opened in 2019 by Gareth, who has been on the local Perth scene for some time as an MC and producer, Crooks Cuts Records’ walls and shelves are adorned with Hip Hop memorabilia and DJ equipment. Placed prominently on the wall is a signed copy of Australian Hip Hop pioneers Lyrical Commission’s Murderous Metaphors album, graffed up skateboards and signed posters from Melbourne super producer Must Volkoff. On display, and maybe for sale, are DJ mixers, an Akai MPC 1000 and an Akai MPC 2000. You might even get the chance to mess about on a Technics 1200.
Though the shop is styled in that Hip Hop flavour and it stocks some rare Hip Hop LPs and 12” for a pretty penny, Crook Guts also has a colourful collection of Jazz, Funk, Soul, Drum & Bass, New Wave Synth, Reggae, Blues, Rock, Punk and Metal. As discussed with Gareth, it’s not possible to only sell Hip Hop records and having a variety of genres attracts a mixture of collectors to the store.
Like any good digger/seller, Gareth makes his way around the local vinyl fairs as a seller and a buyer to find those diamonds in the rough. He also trawls the internet to find the gems he places in store. Unlike other record or vintage shops that cram as many vinyls into the space for you snoop through (where many a Kamahl record can be found), Gareth carefully curates the records he puts in store. Crook Cuts also stock a mad selection of Hip Hip cassette tapes, a definite rarity in Perth, including tapes from Nas, The Beatnuts, Public Enemy and Kanye West.
Like any good digger/seller, Gareth makes his way around the local vinyl fairs as a seller and a buyer to find those diamonds in the rough. He also trawls the internet to find the gems he places in store. Unlike other record or vintage shops that cram as many vinyls into the space for you snoop through (where many a Kamahl record can be found), Gareth carefully curates the records he puts in store. Crook Cuts also stock a mad selection of Hip Hip cassette tapes, a definite rarity in Perth, including tapes from Nas, The Beatnuts, Public Enemy and Kanye West.
An avid supporter of our local and nation-wide scene, Gareth is keen to stock more music from Perth’s own Hip Hop artists. Already a WA distributor for the Pang Productions label, Gareth welcomes all local artists to come in to have a chat about selling their music and merch in-store.
Not only does Gareth own Crook Cuts Records but he also owns and manages Crook Guts Recordings and its roster of artists. Self-described as a "collaboration of Perth's illest MC's, beat makers and aerosol artists", Crook Guts boasts a line up MC / producer Rtilary (Gareth himself), local rapper Billy Crisps, Perth-born Melbourne-based producer, rapper & graffiti artist DMerc and local famed DNB MC, MC NV.
Not only does Gareth own Crook Cuts Records but he also owns and manages Crook Guts Recordings and its roster of artists. Self-described as a "collaboration of Perth's illest MC's, beat makers and aerosol artists", Crook Guts boasts a line up MC / producer Rtilary (Gareth himself), local rapper Billy Crisps, Perth-born Melbourne-based producer, rapper & graffiti artist DMerc and local famed DNB MC, MC NV.
And the grind don’t stop for Gareth, as he has re-opened post-covid lockdown laws, and is eager to see more people coming through the doors. Crook Cuts Records shares their shop space with 8-Bit Anarchy Games Shop, a nostalgia-inducing store that sells gaming goods.
Midland may seem like a far out Narnia-like location but it is definitely worth the jaunt to Crook Guts Records to check out the store and support a locally-owned music business. You might even get to live like a Midland local and witness a biff out on the high street.
Follow Crook Cuts Records on Facebook | Instagram
And follow Crook Guts Recordings on Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
Midland may seem like a far out Narnia-like location but it is definitely worth the jaunt to Crook Guts Records to check out the store and support a locally-owned music business. You might even get to live like a Midland local and witness a biff out on the high street.
Follow Crook Cuts Records on Facebook | Instagram
And follow Crook Guts Recordings on Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud | Bandcamp