Today, we are proud to bring you our August Vinyl Collector of the Month, Sterling Sheldon. Sterling has actually been buying records from Suburban Home since way back and since we started Vinyl Collective, he has been around since the beginning. Sterling lives in Hawaii without any record stores in his local area. He avidly orders directly from labels all over and from what I can tell, he talks to bands and labels from all over. Sheldon took the time to answer questions about why he buys vinyl, recent record purchases, record he would like to see pressed, and more.

Please take a second to read the interview. Thanks Sheldon for taking the time to answer our questions and thanks for your continued support.

VC: Your name and the city you live in.
SS: Sterling Sheldon; there aren’t really cities, just small towns; I live in Omao on the island of Kaua’i, Hawai’i. Been here for about 24 years. Even lived through hurricane Iniki, look that shit up.

VC: How many records do you own?
SS: Around 500+ I’ve been collecting for a while, most of my life actually.

VC: Why do you collect vinyl?
SS: That’s hard, why do you breath air? Collecting records is all I know, when I was younger my dad collected vinyl, he prolly had around 2,000+ records by the time I was 10. Not all of them good, unfortunately. But it’s in my blood, I love the sound, the art work, but especially how now-a-days I know I can buy straight from the label itself, and know that I’m supporting them and the artist. And when it comes down to it, there’s just so much more ritual excitement when you put on a record.

VC: What was the first record you remember purchasing with your own money?
SS: That, was a long time ago, so my memory’s a little fuzzy. But I’m pretty positive it was a Potshot “Stay Natural” 7″ from a little record store on the next island over. For we have no vinyl stores on our island:(

VC: What is your most prized record in your collection?
SS: It’d have to be a tie between my Crack Rock Steady Seven / F-Minus Split test press, and my Ten Foot Pole’s “Rev”. In my belief, that TFP album was one of the best punk rock records ever made.

VC: What release would you like to see come out on vinyl that hasn’t yet been released?
SS: The Rubberneckers “This Is the Whiskey Rebellion” I’ve seen them quite a few times and kind of watched them grow into what they are now: the best “whiskey drenched cow-punk” you’ll ever listen to.

VC: What is the most you have spent for a record?
SS: I’ve actually been very fortunate in this area, I’m good at getting a sweet bargin. Never had to pay more than $20 on a record, although shipping’s been a bitch sometimes. My luck, however, might just be my girlfriend telling me not to spend the money I need to pay my bills with.

VC: What out of print record would you kill to own?
SS: Oh man, it’d have to be NOFX’s “The Decline” on clear!

VC: Your last 5 records that you purchased?
SS: Bridge and Tunnel / Young Livers split 7″
Live At the Atlantic Volume 1 & 2 test pressings
Off With Their Heads “Live at the Atlantic” Volume Two 7″ on yellow
The Shaking Hands “S/T” LP – on light black (17 out of 19)
Todd Congelliere “People In The Sand” 7″ screen printed cover (#38 out of 50) for my girlfriend, and Todd only had one left!