Remembering Poindexter Records

Durham, NC

It’s interesting what triggers memories.

Today started with a run and a desire to listen to American Recordings Era Johnny Cash. Definitely some nostalgia from my years in Durham, NC post high school being on air at WXDU. That desire though was a carryover from watching for Shangra-La (the Rick Rubin 4-part series Showtime put out) last night for the 100th time.

The morning took me to finally listening to Isaac Hayes’ Hot Buttered Soul LP, and Jonny Taylor’s Who’s Makin Love single, both of which I bought on eBay after watching the fabulous Soulsville series last weekend.

While I was listening to Isaac and Johnny I had to organize my vinyl. A bunch of stuff had yet to be cataloged.

While organizing the 7-inch stack I kept seeing all of the pricing tags from the years 1993-1995 from Poindexter Records (shopped there over a longer period - but this was like my 7-inch hay day).

Poindexter’s was right down the street from several places I worked and I used to go in and flip the stacks and bins after work. XDU where I was an interloping DJ and program director amongst the Duke kids also close. So same thing. Often would go to the shop after being at the station.

I thought about all the shows I saw in Durham and Chapel Hill. Many I bought my tickets at Poindexter. And then going looking for singles from the bands I’d seen a few days afterwards. The first in memory was Queen Sarah Saturday when I was in High School. The day after I went in and bought Southern Culture in the Skids because the dj at that show was spinning them much of the night.

While listening to Pipe (my favorite Chapel Hill/Durham band of the time) on Sunday I remembered watching High Fidelity (the John Kusack movie) when I was back in college (post Army years) and thought about the guys at Poindexter. At least two guys (memory is fuzzy and just recall Matt from Small 23) were legit musicians in great local bands. Sure I suppose they could seen as music snobby, but also good dudes who would be really warm to you once they got to know you. And if you paid attention they could tune a young lad as I was still on to some cool shot. I thought about them while organizing.

In those years. No iPhones. And no one (unless an actual photographer) walked around with a camera. So I have no photos. Too bad. I’d liked to have some selfies in the store. With the guys.

Last time I was in Durham (2021) I went to the shop to confirm it was no longer there. I didn’t bother to take a picture of what once was.

My long sleeve shirt from the shop survived until around 2012 or 13 (easily I’d bought that in 96’, maybe early 98’ when I was back in town from “the Service”). So that’s gone now to.

At least I still got the price stickers. And a ton of great music to listen to I bought there. And memories of a formative time.

I’ve been to record shops all over the country. The shop I went to in Greenville, NC before I headed west was cool, but it’s not getting a story, nor will any others. All great in some way. But that one in the bowling lane shaped store front was all mine and those like me in Durham from its opening I thinking in 1985 until 1998. I still haven’t heard the story of why.

A combination of being in the west for now nearly 30-years with no real connection to Durham, rearing a son, being in business myself…and well just the passage of time and fleeting interest I had forgotten this place until this past Sunday.

Facebook shows me there’s some presence of the people still, which makes me happy. Still I wish I could go in today and buy some stuff instead of eBay and Discogs.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HfHY3WdvV/?mibextid=wwXIfr