Turning Tables
Shining a light on the tastemakers behind the desk
With a second drop of 2022 RSD Releases landing in stores on Saturday 18 June, we’re back with the long-awaited return of our beloved interview segment Turning Tables—shining a light on the faces, names, minds and tastemakers behind the desk who greet our crate-digging friends with invaluable knowledge and an undying love for all things music.
Today we’re featuring Shane Godfrey from Prehistoric Sounds in Warrnambool, Victoria. Take it away Shane!
What store can we find you at and how long have you been there?
Prehistoric Sounds, in the seaside city of Warrnambool in SW Victoria, we will celebrate our 13th birthday later this year.
How has the store and its customers changed over time?
We started selling record sleeves online in 2009, soon after started a market stall in an antique market and about 6 years ago we moved into our own shop in the Warrnambool CBD.
What’s your general vibe to kick off the morning music when doors open?
Lately, some classic soul music depending on what is in the 2nd hand section, but Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Detroit Cobras and Solomon Burke are definitely favourites to start the day. Puts you in a great mood!
Ever had any notable cameo walk-ins in store?
Not really, there aren’t many touring bands coming through town anymore. I had Jade Hurley (the king Of Country Rock) come in one day looking for Jade Hurley records!
Do you remember the first record that started your own collection? Was it bought, gifted or handed down?
I had some tapes like AC/DC, but most were copies! But my uncle Jack gave me a record player and I went to Wally’s Rock House in Warrnambool and got Bored! self-titled EP after seeing their film clip on Rage and Nirvana’s “Bleach” Wally had to order them in for me. That was in 1988 or 1989 I reckon. Been collecting ever since.
What about the first record you purchased for someone else? Where’d you buy it?
Max Q LP for my girlfriend/”future” wife from an op shop! As she was a huge INXS fan
Favourite debut record of all time?
The Beasts Of Bourbon “The Axeman’s Jazz” is pretty hard to beat in my eyes. Tex Perkins, Spencer P. Jones and Kim Salmon in the one band is unbeatable. Add The Saints “(I’m) Stranded”, The Descendents “Milo Goes To College”, Ramones “Ramones” or Sex Pistols “Never Mind The Bollocks” to that list
Tell us about the most valuable (monetary or sentimental) record in your collection. Why is it so important to you?
Monetary: I kept original copies of the first few King Gizzard LP. I rarely put aside stuff from the shop, but there was something special about them. Sentimentally: any record I’ve trawled the country or world to find like finding Melvins or Guided By Voices LPs in Japan, or finding Lubricated Goat LPs in Sydney. It’s easy to buy off the internet and I’d be lying if I said I don’t do it, but finding something in the wild is a real thrill.
Favourite Australian release of all time?
Lubricated Goat “Plays The Devil’s Music” or The Saints “Eternally Yours”
What’s your number one pick of the second drop of RSD releases landing on June 18
Viktor Vaughan “Vaudeville Villain”, To be honest, I’m certainly not a much of a Hip Hop fan, but I do enjoy anything MF Doom has created. So I’m very much looking forward to that one.
What record has been on repeat for you lately?
Kurt Baker Combo “Let’s Go Wild”, I saw them in Japan in 2019, Kurt is American, but the band is Spanish, High energy Rock N Roll / Power Pop. Catchy as hell and you’ll find yourself singing along in no time. I’ve listened to them so much over the past couple of years, Kurt Baker has recently moved back to the US now and is working on a new album!
Tell us about your favourite artist, and what record of theirs you’d recommend to introduce to someone who’s never heard of them.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen them many times around the country. “Orange” would be my pick, not a dud song on it.
Favourite in-store performance of all time?
Redd Kross at the Virgin Megastore or The Black Keys at Gaslight
What’s the best thing about working at a record store?
The customers who are just as passionate as me and I get to play music all-day, I play anything and everything depending on my mood. It’s not all beer and skittles though, there are lots of boring repetitive duties like cleaning preloved records and staring at spreadsheets. But I love it.
It’s closing time in the store, what’s spinning?
If I don’t think many more customers will appear, I’ll generally punk it up a bit. I’ve had some great early punk compilations come in lately like the “Killed By Death” or “Bloodstains” series.
Stay up to date with Prehistoric Sounds, and get in touch about titles they have landing in store for Saturday 18 June via their website, facebook and instagram.
Store Location
Prehistoric Sounds
99 Kepler Street
Warrnambool VIC 3280
Ph 0402 206 701
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11am – 5pm
Saturdays 11am – 2pm