Phil Barton

Record store owner — London

01Profile

A Phil Barton Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Phil Barton, Sister Ray Soho.

What do you do?
I'm the owner, but there are ten of us that make it work.

Describe your style in three words:
Clash City Rocker.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Keep On Wombling'.

How long have you been working here?
On and off about 30 years.

What’s the best thing about your job?
No two days are the same, ever.

What releases are you most excited about for RSD?
'Drunken Songs'
By Julian Cope the man is a genius.

'Where In The World EP'
By The Chameleons, Mark Burgess is a hero, and we lost the original drummer John Lever this year RIP.

'White Man In The Hammersmith Palais EP'
It’s a brilliant idea combining four tunes by reggae's finest, Ken Boothe, Dillinger, Delroy Wilson and Leroy Smart. Ace!

04Playlist Notes

What music defines the teenage you?
A mash up of the London Calling and the first Specials album, with a side order of The Ruts.

A song from your favourite album?
'Clampdown' from London Calling.

A song you wish you had written?
'Video Killed the Radio Star'. Perfect pop song.

A British icon that has inspired you?
Joe Strummer. In times of crisis, I think, what would Joe have done?

What was the last piece of music you bought?
I took home a copy of Lexicon of Love by ABC because mine had a bad crackle on 'All Of My Heart'.

Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
Redskins, 'Kick Over The Statues'.

Best song to bring people together?
'Out On the Floor', Dobie Gray.

What has been your all-time favourite gig?
AC/DC Hammersmith Odeon.

What was the last album you bought?
'Semper Femina' by Laura Marling.

Best love song of all time?
Joan Jett, 'I love Rock 'n' Roll'. That is real love.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Hundreds probably! "Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon is a killer.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Phil Barton, Sister Ray Soho.

What do you do?
I'm the owner, but there are ten of us that make it work.

Describe your style in three words:
Clash City Rocker.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Keep On Wombling'.

How long have you been working here?
On and off about 30 years.

What’s the best thing about your job?
No two days are the same, ever.

What releases are you most excited about for RSD?
'Drunken Songs'
By Julian Cope the man is a genius.

'Where In The World EP'
By The Chameleons, Mark Burgess is a hero, and we lost the original drummer John Lever this year RIP.

'White Man In The Hammersmith Palais EP'
It’s a brilliant idea combining four tunes by reggae's finest, Ken Boothe, Dillinger, Delroy Wilson and Leroy Smart. Ace!

04Playlist Notes

What music defines the teenage you?
A mash up of the London Calling and the first Specials album, with a side order of The Ruts.

A song from your favourite album?
'Clampdown' from London Calling.

A song you wish you had written?
'Video Killed the Radio Star'. Perfect pop song.

A British icon that has inspired you?
Joe Strummer. In times of crisis, I think, what would Joe have done?

What was the last piece of music you bought?
I took home a copy of Lexicon of Love by ABC because mine had a bad crackle on 'All Of My Heart'.

Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
Redskins, 'Kick Over The Statues'.

Best song to bring people together?
'Out On the Floor', Dobie Gray.

What has been your all-time favourite gig?
AC/DC Hammersmith Odeon.

What was the last album you bought?
'Semper Femina' by Laura Marling.

Best love song of all time?
Joan Jett, 'I love Rock 'n' Roll'. That is real love.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Hundreds probably! "Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon is a killer.

 

05Videos

Sister Ray