Who still buys records?

It’s tough times for independent record stores. Big corporations and file-sharing Web sites have made stealing music easier than ever. (If you’re a broke-ass 15-year-old, you’re not going to buy the new My Chemical Romance album. C’mon: You just walk into Wal-Mart and shove that shit in your pants.) That’s why 2009’s second annual Record Store Day is important: It recognizes independently owned record shops nationwide. Hosting local celebrations is everyone’s favorite local record shop/free-concert venue R5 Records, where Musical Charis, Baby Grand, Trainwreck Revival, Not an Airplane, Silver Darling, the Ancient Sons, No-Goodniks and Boats! will gig, starting around 10 a.m. On the Davis front, Garrett Pierce will be doing an in-store in Armadillo Music around 5 p.m., and Woodland’s Gearhead Records also will be hosting festivities featuring live music and even seminars on vinyl care and how to start a record collection. Show some love for your music scene, because without indie shops, you’d have to take notes on what’s cool from the Best Buy music section. (I’ve been listening to a lot of Jonas Brothers; I like their early stuff, mostly.)