Q&A Remix With Ken French

The Q&A Remix is a frequent column on IHTOV in which people from all walks of life answer a set of pre-written questions about their vinyl collection. Today we welcome Clash fan Ken French.

Have you ever bought a record just for the artwork?

Mastodon’s Leviathan LP, though I grew to like it.

What is your most memorable vinyl buying experience?

When the shop owner sold me the last copy he had of The Clash’s Combat Rock on the day of release because I was a regular there.

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

Punk/New Wave

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

My original pressing of London Calling from 1980. It’s long been my favorite album.

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

I like playing The Beach Boys’ Sunflower or Surf’s Up LPs to people who think they only did surf and hot rod music.

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

Yes I am. Probably Bob Dylan.

What is/are your white whale records, something you have your eye on but haven’t been able to find?

The Clash - From Here to Eternity Live

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

I found an original pressing of The Gits’ “Second Skin” 45 on grey vinyl at a record show in London six years ago.

Do you have a favorite live record?

Probably The Who’s Live at Leeds

Who/what got you hooked on records?

My local store when I was in college. The owner had great taste and was always recommending stuff I probably wouldn’t have listened to on my own. He’d let me have them for next to nothing.

What are your first memories of listening to records?

Borrowing my older cousin’s Beatles & Beach Boys records.

What’s your favorite record to listen to on headphones?

Corny, but Pink Floyd. Either Meddle or Wish You Were Here.

Tell us a little about your favorite record store.

Currently my favorite is Station 1 in Pompton Lakes NJ. It’s housed in an old railroad station, has great selection and prices, and the owners are cool and knowledgeable.

What’s the weirdest record you own?

A Housemartins picture disc shaped like a toilet.

How has your record collection and appreciation for vinyl evolved over the years, and what has influenced your tastes?

I went from vinyl to CDs then back to vinyl. I much prefer the sound of vinyl.

What’s the last record you played?

Saint Etienne’s new one, The Night

Ken French is a librarian and long-time record collector and punk fan. His favorite band is The Clash, who he was lucky enough to see live three times. He is the proud father of two adult sons and lives in northern New Jersey with his husband.

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