Now the former clerk at Last Vestige Music Shop and founder of the Loud Punk label, has opened his own record store, Noise Annoys Record Shop. The store, which is located on Quail Street near Central Avenue, will specialize in new and used vinyl, mostly rock, punk, metal, and reggae.
An avid collector, Lawrence has been holding onto all his used stuff for a while, waiting for the day when he could open his own store, an idea that came to him "when I was hating my life painting houses."
Noise Annoys will feature more "cool and used goodies" than its competitors, and fill in gaps they're leaving, Lawrence says. He hopes the record shop, which is singular in its offerings, will become a haven for music lovers like him. And the location doesn't hurt. Noise Annoys is located in a storefront attached to Pauly's Hotel, just around the corner from former employer Howard Glassman's new bar, The Low Beat. Both bars have been getting a lot of attention for their great musical guests and friendly arrangements about cover charges.
Lawrence hopes Noise Annoys will add to this corner's emerging identity as a music district. The three businesses are hoping to team up for a summer music event, and have already begun to work together on promotions. He and the other business owners are eager to see more businesses move into the last few vacant commercial spaces, and capitalize on the momentum they are building on this block, which also boasts six international restaurants, four ethnic markets, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and the Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio. "There's a lot of great things happening in this neighborhood and there's only potential for it to get better," says Lawrence.
The record shop's grand opening took place Saturday, May 3, and was followed by a celebration at The Low Beat at 8pm.
Noise Annoys is located at 114C Quail Street in Albany. The hours are Tuesday - Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12-6, Closed Mondays. For more information, contact: Noiseannoysrecords@hotmail.com
