Discount Records

Sent in by PD Haley: Discount Records shop was in the old underground market underneath Market Street. Mike and Bev owned it; Sian and Nick worked there. A fantastic hang-out for bands and punters alike. Sent in by SIAN: I am the Sian mentioned in the description of Discount Records and found your site looking for something else entirely! I worked in the shop from it's beginnings in 1977 to 1981. I think the shop closed in 1982. Shortly after the shop opened Nick and I persuaded the owner, Mike,that it would be a good idea to specialise in Punk and Indie music, working on the assumption that if we liked something, there would be at least 5 other people in Manchester who did too. We'd been to see the Sex Pistols at the Lesser Free Trade Hall and were feeling enthused! We used to buy discs directly from the bands who were hawking their music around. In 1979 we really liked a disc one band had brought in and bought 10 immediately. The singer was ecstatic as apparently they were the first ones the band had sold. The Band was Teardrop Explodes and the disc was "Sleeping Gas". During the years it was open we had a number of Personal Appearances from different Bands. Without fail, they went into momentary shock as they realised the P.A. was in fact at a market stall (albeit one with a shutter!) I remember at least 2 appearnces by Adam and The Ants (early days) Subway Sect and The Damned. There were more, but I'd have to rack my brains. The shop sold tickets for the Russel Club. Nick and I also used to drive local bands to gigs in my Transit. I remember taking The Fall down to London where they were supporting Siouxie and the Banshees.