The £5 record buying (mostly photo based) occasional series #1: Lucky Seven Records

Check that out for an inspired title of this occasional, mostly photo based series where I go to a record shop and spend £5 on records in the bargain section of record shops around London. Because, basically, I have nothing better to do and my record collection has some gaping holes that can only be filled by buying twenty year old records that no-one else wants and will never be worth anything (hence why they're in the bargain section of record shops).

Actually filling the gaps of my record collection isn't really what this is about; it's about finding funny covers, cool covers, shit covers, forgotten bands, lost classics and buying something dirt cheap. Everyone likes things, especially things that don't cost very much. As the series goes on maybe I'll come up with some kind of formula for picking the records but for the moment it's quite random. But have a go yourself, let me know what shite gems you find.

My companion in this mission, Helen, is mostly to blame for this, you can blame her for the worst records too. Lucky Seven Records in the posh hipster neighbourhood of Stoke Newington sells records, books, CDs, DVD's and anything else you'd expect to find in an old school record shop that is probably struggling to stay open. They have 7"s for 10p and 12" records from 50p upwards. We decided to spend most of our time perusing the one record for £1 or three records for £2 rack (thinking we were too good for the one record for 50p or three records for £1 rack and definitely not good enough for anywhere else). This is what we came out with.

That Petrol Emotion- End of The Millenium Psychosis Blues album

Confused pre Madchester/ Indie dance thing. Bought because: I liked the name of the band and thought I knew them.

Squeeze- Cool For Cats album

Punk band who weren't really punk at all, they just played guitar music when punk was happening. Bought because: it's kind of a classic, the cover is pretty cool and I definitely knew them.

Senseless Things- Primary Instinct single

Band that influenced the kind of bands bands that featured heavily in Fracture fanzine back in the day. Bought because: It's Senseless Things, int it, the cover amused me.

Simon and Garfunkel- Greatest Hits album

Paul and Art singing songs together before they sang songs without each other. Bought because: Paul Simons beret I imagine, and the songs. (Helens choice)

Elton John- Greatest Hits album

Princess Dianas friend. Bought because: The cover art; Elton Johns has some amazing record covers which show him in a variety of stupid costumes, he'll probably feature heavily in this series. (Helens choice)

Gladys Kinght and The Pips- Every Beat Of My Heart album

Motown legend. Bought because: Of their lovely smiles, taches and afros on the cover I imagine, and the songs. (Helens choice)

The New Vaudeville Band- Tap Your Feet two record album

Weird 60's band that started as a joke, and probably continued as one. Bought Because: Fuck, don't ask me. (Helens choice)

Support your local (and not so local) record shops.

Visit Lucky Seven at 127 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0UH