Revamped Rough Trade West: A Haven for Music Lovers
West's Perspective: Insights from Our Site Westrospective
If you've wandered through the iconic Talbot Road, London, recently, you'd be hard-pressed to miss the facelift that our oldest and dearest shop on the block, Rough Trade West, has undergone. Step into 2020, and you'll find an updated exterior, extended basement, and a revamped interior sporting better racking and an expanded catalog. Say hello to more vinyl, CDs, books, and spacious browsing corners.
To celebrate this transformation, we thought it would be fitting to take a walk down memory lane, revisiting some of the most captivating stories from our record store's history. Who better to guide us on this journey than our resident legend, Nigel House, who's been an integral part of Rough Trade West for almost four decades?
Emily and Al spent an afternoon armed with a fine-tooth comb, sorting through the walls of Rough Trade West while Nigel regaled them with tales of the musical history that lies behind each artwork. So grab a cup of coffee and prepare for a rollercoaster ride through our store's most memorable moments!
Rough Trade West's Unforgettable Tales
Acklam Hall and The Clash
Acklam Hall, the venue beneath the flyover, was no stranger to legendary performances. Nigel recalls countless gigs, from Scritti Politti and Stiff Little Fingers to the elusive The Clash. Unfortunately, he actually missed the iconic Clash show while visiting his mother at home.
The Arrival of Meat Puppets and Skateboarding
Meat Puppets was likely one of the first bands to grace our in-store stage, and the store's collection included a signed poster. They hailed from the same label as Black Flag, and Rough Trade West became a magnet for exciting shipments from America, containing not only punk records, but also Thrasher Magazine. People caught wind of our deliveries, resulting in us selling straight from the crate, which marked the beginning of our skateboarding craze. In fact, we even dabbled in selling skateboards and records simultaneously for a while.
Zen Arcade and Husker Du
Husker Du's Zen Arcade, with its enduring genius, still finds favor in Nigel's playlist. Nigel reminisces about the excitement of acquiring the album on CD when it became available.
A Fortuitous Move and Hidden Treasures
When Rough Trade West relocated to Talbot Road in the early '80s, the team took down all the posters and singles sleeves from the walls, piling them one atop another. Some time later, they had to lower the ceiling for soundproofing. In the process, they found an original Anarchy in the U.K. tour poster, which they had covered up years ago when they believed the Sex Pistols' appeal had waned.
Signed Posters and Fascinating Facts
Rough Trade West boasts several signed posters, including one from MC5 after they did a Levis deal, an assortment of White Stripes memorabilia, and a picture autographed by cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar featuring a cricket flag that might have originated from the World Cup boundary perimeter.
The Legendary Wall of Single Sleeves
The wall lined with single sleeves—from the late '70s to the early '80s—is a testament to Rough Trade West's passion for music. While the staff aimed to keep it up-to-date, it eventually became too overwhelming to manage, with personal favorites like the X's Adult Books 7" eluding Nigel.
Visits from Musicians and Special Moments
Rough Trade West didn't just serve as a place for browsing music; it was a meeting hub for musicians, including Paul Cook from The Sex Pistols and Nick Cave's son Earl. Earl once stopped by when Jack and Nigel were working, and they couldn't help but notice the giant Belle & Sebastian display, featuring Earl on the cover.
Porn, Pus Head, and Networking
Nigel shared an anecdote about Feotus and their connection to controversial artists like Lydia Lunch and Richard Kern. These collaborations extended to groundbreaking films and video art, with one shipment once causing a mishap with customs.
Final Academy, Coil, and Timeless Posters
Rough Trade West has never shied away from diving into avant-garde and experimental music, as showcased by the William Burroughs' Final Academy poster and the magic of Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, and Fad Gadget's collaboration. Geoff from Coil used to frequent the store as a schoolboy with his fanzine, Stabmental.
Westrospective: A Celebration of Music's Past, Present, and Future
Rough Trade West's rich history extends far beyond what we've shared here, but these tales reveal the heart and soul of this iconic record store. Today, Rough Trade West continues to forge ahead, championing the finest new music and nurturing the careers of both up-and-coming and established artists.
Last year, Talbot Road played host to an unforgettable Record Store Day, featuring live performances from Blick Bassy, Celeste, Fontaines D.C., Peter Doherty, and KT Tunstall, to name a few.
We cherish the community of passionate music enthusiasts who have made Rough Trade West their home, and we are committed to preserving and growing the unique culture that underpins our store.
Don't forget to share your thoughts on our revamped store, and we look forward to welcoming you soon! West is for everyone x
An Exclusive Zine: Westrospective: West Side Stories
To commemorate the rich tapestry of history that Rough Trade West represents, we've created a collectable zine called Westrospective: West Side Stories. Featuring contributions from Nigel House, Al Mills, Chris 'Bossman' Summers, and all at Rough Trade West, this zine is a must-have for any music fan.
Filled with captivating photos by Naz Stone and meticulous design by Tim Fowler, Westrospective: West Side Stories is a limited-edition release, with only 500 copies available.
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[1] Rough Trade's Notting Hill West shop reopens after two-month closure due to cyber attack – Music Week. (2023, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.musicweek.com/technology/news/rough-trades-notting-hill-west-shop-opens-after-two-month-closure-due-to-cyber-attack-1258947
[2] The History of Rough Trade Records on Talbot Road, London. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/rough-trade
[3] About Us – Rough Trade. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.roughtrade.com/about
[4] Talbot Road, London – Rough Trade. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.roughtrade.com/GB/stores/rough-trade-west
[5] mpduke. (2016, May 24). Talbot Road - Rough Trade West. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/label/810-Talbot-Road-London-Rough-Trade-West
- The music community has commemorated Rough Trade West's rich history with a collectable zine called Westrospective: West Side Stories, featuring contributions from Nigel House, Al Mills, Chris 'Bossman' Summers, and all at Rough Trade West, as well as captivating photos by Naz Stone and meticulous design by Tim Fowler.
- The music industry has acknowledged the transformation of Rough Trade West, extending beyond the record store to the retail, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and entertainment sectors.
- The financial impact of Rough Trade West's revamped layout may be significant, considering the extended basement, better racking, and expanded catalog catering to music lovers, alongside vinyl, CDs, books, and spacious browsing corners.
- The retail scene has changed in Talbot Road, London, following Rough Trade West's renovation, with the store now serving as a meeting hub for musicians, music enthusiasts, and fashion aficionados alike, making it a haven for the broader entertainment community.
