Q&A Remix With Greg Katz of Cheekface

What is your most memorable vinyl buying experience?

My first vinyl purchase was going to Greene Records in Santa Ana California and picking up Jupiter by Cave In. Tiny mom-and-pop store specializing in punk records that no longer exists. It stays pretty memorable to me.

What’s the first area you head for in a record store?

First the main endcaps and displays. I like knowing what’s new, what the store is trying to sell, and what they’re proud to have. Then jazz, funk and soul, then new rock.

What’s the most treasured album in your collection and why?

Maybe the self-released first pressing of Krill’s “Lucky Leaves, which I think was a pressing of 100. The first pressing of No Regerts by Chastity Belt is another banger. 

What one record in your collection would you be most eager to share with new friends?

When I have people over for dinner, I usually reach for Moanin by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers first. Lately also the self-titled Kalapana album that was reissued on vinyl by the Aloha Got Soul label. 

Are you a completionist when it comes to artists? Which artist do you have the most records from?

It’s probably Pile. I have so, so much Pile vinyl. So much

Have you ever bought a record just for the artwork?

Yes. Plenty of times. Fake Fruit’s self-titled is one. Cover art is not the best way to decide how to spend $25, but it did pan out in that case.

What is/are your white whale records?

There’s a European R.E.M. greatest hits that has been lingering on my Discogs want list for quite a while. It’s not rare or anything but I doubt I’ll ever buy it.

What is your greatest “score;” could be on value or just rarity or something you were looking for the longest?

I went into Origami Vinyl one time and bought the Record Store Day version of Regretfully Yours by Superdrag for $17 new. I love that album but after I bought it I literally never listened to it on vinyl. It just sat on a shelf in the shrink wrap. One day some guy DMed me on Discogs and asked if I’d sell it. I looked at the top sales at the time and they went up to like $100. Since my copy was still sealed, I asked like $150. He bought it in an instant. Turned out he was a hedge funder and he had me ship it to Wall Street. I probably should have asked for $1000.

Do you have a favorite live record?

Swiss Movement by Les McCann & Eddie Harris. Gosh, if you don’t have that, buy it now. You don’t need to like jazz or live records to love it. An all-timer.

What are your first memories of listening to records?

My dad playing The Searchers’ “Bumble Bee” on 45.

What genre is most represented in your collection?

Albums by people I know.

Greg Katz sings and talks and plays guitar in America’s local band Cheekface. Cheekface vinyl is available at houseshoes.online.