Rock and Roll Graveyard

Rock and Roll Graveyard has one of those spaces people remember: downtown Frederick, purple walls, two floors, and a stock base that grew out of years of personal collecting. The owner answers here in a blunt, funny, very lived-in way, which tells you a lot about the shop's taste and attitude toward buying records.

Interview with Rock and Roll Graveyard

A basement record shop under a day spa, with bright purple poster-covered walls - Rock and Roll Graveyard has a real vibe. How did the space come together?

I found out there was a record store that opened up downtown, after the previous shop I helped start (Blinding Sun Records) was at the time on 5th street across from Old Towne Tavern. The shop that was in my current space was called 6 ft under records. I stopped in, and the guy was doing dvd rentals and vinyl prices were all over the place. That shop closed after about 6 months and I was offered the spot. He wanted me to buy the inventory and shelves, but i had amassed maybe around 10 thousand records by that time so i passed. The room was also painted purple when i got the space, so that was one thing less to do at that time. 15 years later, and people still do not know we exiist downtown lol.

Much of the stock started as your own personal collection - around 6,000 LPs. What's it like selling records you spent years gathering?

Its kinda like Charlottes Web... Me being the spider that has been collecting and researching all types of music since i was a kid, had created this giant eggsack of vinyl, tpaes and cds, So i have been setting my eggs free, even though I may never find another. There is always more than one out there, but you gotta let that egg hatch to set it all free.

You specialize in rock, psych, punk, and metal, plus R&B. How would you describe the shop's taste in your own words?

We play music nobody knows, but we try to stock things that someone hopefully would like. everything is curated to an extent. I am always listening to the youth, plus since we are again at that 20 year curve, sometimes all it takes is to order albums i bought when i was in high sclool or middle school. I am always recommending esoteric titles that slipped through the cracks back then. as far as used stuff, it all depends on what is sold to me. That can be the hardest part, is finding stuff that you cannot find anywhere else. it is not just putting a price on things, but we want to sell you something you believe in, even if its a narvel felts record.

Downtown Frederick has come alive over the years. How's that felt from behind the counter?

Fewer and fewer locals, most of our customers do not live in Frederick. Me included.

You buy, sell, and trade - and even repair turntables and carry vintage amps. How central is the gear side to the shop?

Its been a rumor that we repair things for customers. that has not been the case for more than 8 years.... I just do not have the time anymore, and honestly I have been thinking about getting out of the used stereo equipment game. 90 percent of everything equipment wise that comes in rarely works, and i have to get almost everything serviced to the point where its almost at a financial loss due to how much it can cost to get these units repaired. the secondhand market is full of people just trying to make a quick buck with little to no knowledge on what they are trying to sell. Luckily I guess they have a smartphone that instantly makes them know market value. I could actually see in the future ceasing on purchasing equipment in the future. I love this stuff, but iit never sells, and will only sell at a financial loss. I love this stuff, but honestly I am more than burned out on purchasing it.

You've got an agreement to trade music with the Record Exchange on Market Street. What's it like having that arrangement instead of a rivalry?

Honeslty, I am not sure what this question means. We both try to help eachother out, but nobody trades or have trading anything in many years. honestly, I support all of the record shops in the area more than anyone does to me. I still love digging for records, maybe thats the different thing. I am always open to talk shop and talk about the good things and bitch about the bad, which i love having that relationship with all the record stores in this area. I just kinda wish i got that support back from other shops to be frank. We should be lifting other shops that do this, because why not? the rat race of being on top never really appealed to me. we are all just riding the wave until it crashes.

When someone wants to sell records, what's the best way to start - and what makes a collection an easy yes?

If they have done the research and know what they are worth, please sell them yourself! nobody in their right mind wants to cause a bidding war between other stores for what these old records are worth. Most shops pay fairly, but you would be lucky to get 40-50 percent on what the collection is worth. everything has assigned value.. I tend to overpay for collections because i care a little too much to be honest. I should have been into sports! Most of the time, the collections that come in are whatever was played on the radio in the local area. very seldom does a collection come in that is all esoteric releases. these days honestly, that is kinda drying up as well, due to the secondhand market and people with smartphones selling their things on their own, and who could blame them. I remember working at record and tape traders back in the day, and we would pay 25 cents for a cd, then put a 10.99 price tag on it. how is that really fair? so if you know what you got, sell it yourself!

First visit to the Graveyard - what should someone dig through first?

It really depends on what you are into. some people want the new stuff, or they just want used and dont even go upstairs. the amount of times i have told people we have 2 floors and they didn't know is staggering. Also, chossing the name Rock & Roll Graveyard put me in a hole where people think we only deal with Rock records, but we deal with a very extensive collection of all genres, plus order new stuff at the same time.

Last updated: 2026-07-24