Two great guys. Picture taken by me!!

Rafael Smith and Tyler Osborne are postgrad roomies. They also happen to be WVAU alumni, as well as avid vinyl collectors. But these two aren’t your average 2014 record purchasers. Their apartment is home to a wide variety of vinyl records of almost every genre you can imagine. Everything from hardcore punk, to throwback early 2000‰’s jams to 90’s rap and 80’s R&B singles litter their living space. For every vinyl collector, the collection (read:obsession) has to begin somewhere. This week’s The Tough Crowd explores that fateful beginning for the two former WVAU DJs.

What was the first record you ever purchased?

Raf: It was a bulk order on an online store called fatbeats.com and one of them was a 12‰” single by MC EZ & Troup called “Get Retarded‰Û.

Tyler: The Wonder Years’ Upsides LP.

How often do you buy records?

Raf: Once every other month.

Tyler: Once a week at this point.

What is your favorite record that you currently own?

Raf: Trouble Funk – Straight Up Go Go Style.

Tyler: My first press copy of The Get Up Kids – Something to Write Home About.

Why do you buy vinyl?

Raf: Typically the records I buy are only available on that format or if I really really really like something I‰’ll buy it on vinyl.

Tyler: I spent so many years stealing music it just got hard to justify. I also like the act of putting the actual record on the table because it causes the listener to actively listen the record.

When did you start collecting?

Raf: 8th grade- my mom bought me two turntables because I wanted to be a DJ but they were vinyl turntables and there were no vinyl stores near us so it was just sort of useless.

Tyler: The beginning of my freshman year at AU because I didn’t have any friends or anything else to do.

So Raf, Did that crush your DJ dreams?

Raf: Haha yes

If you had an unlimited budget to buy any one record ever made, what would it be?

Raf: There’s a single by Macattack called The Art of Drums that isn’t really all that expensive but it costs like $25 for a single which is just a lot for one song!

Tyler: AFI’s All Hallows EP – It‰’s out of press and is really really expensive like upwards of $100 for the 7‰Û.

Courtesy of Popsike.

Note: The highest the AFI 7‰” has gone for is $305 on Ebay with a good many auctions hovering around 150-200 range. Also, that is legitimately insane.