Record Store Day was this past Saturday, April 21, but in our minds, every day is (or should be) Record Store Day.

When Noisecreep spoke to Osaka Popstar's John Cafiero, the conversation was so inspiring about the old school approach to discovery of music that we even waited to post this feature to promote the idea that RSD is not just one day.

For RSD (and beyond) two Misfits Records artists joined forces for a new school homage to the old school. Osaka Popstar and JuiceheaD created their unique cover of Fugazi's "Waiting Room" with a whole mess of awesome bells and whistles.

Here's what's special about the piece, other than it's a cool cover. The front and back sleeve art were created by world-renowned visual artist Shepard Fairey (OBEY GIANT ART/ Studio Number One) specifically for this release. It's a a nod to his punk-rock inspired, graffiti-driven, street-art roots. Those ethos are not dissimilar of Fugazi's or Ian MacKaye's.

A limited edition, exclusive 7" pressing for RSD includes features the "Waiting Room" cover on Side A, with an exclusive etched B-side showcasing the iconic Shepard Fairey sleeve art on black vinyl. Only 1,000 etched copies pressed worldwide. You can likely still nab a copy at your fave mom and pop.

Or if you like your music in digital form, regardless of all this classic coolness, the digital download available online worldwide via iTunes, Amazon tomorrow (April 24.) Go here to explore purchase options.

We spoke to Cafiero about the material, RSD in general and the future of record store culture.

Listen to JuiceheaD and Osaka Popstar's Cover of "Waiting Room"


Why did you choose to cover "Waiting Room?"

I am a big fan of Ian MacKaye in general, since I was in high school and got into Minor Threat and a fan of Fugazi. I was also particularly fond of Pailhead, the side project he did with Al Jourgensen of Ministry where they released a fantastic EP. Rob from JuiceheaD and I both love the song "Waiting Room." When I was going to check them out and consider signing them, they did a cover of "Waiting Room" at the show. When we signed them, I said it would great to do a cover of "Waiting Room." I produced the record and the more we started talking about it, we recognized the fact that there are two vocalists involved, as the original was both Ian and Guy [Picciotto]. Rob and I decided to do a team project between JuiceheaD and Osaka Popstar. It is a punk anthem and indicative of the vibe of the indie music scene in general. It was a perfect fit.

And they are cool elements to the over release.

Shepard Fairey loved the cover after listening to it and did the artwork. There were all of these different positive vibes with good intentions. It's a perfect team up and perfect marriage for indie music in general and for Record Store Day.

All of these elements are certainly is a tribute to what Record Store Day entails, which at the end of the day, is the discovery of music.

The band and the cover captures the indie ethos and captures the spirit of Record Store Day. When I was younger, I always gravitated to indie record shops. More and more, all these great record stores are just disappearing. They were an inspirational outlet of finding and discovering new things that brought you joy or inspired you as an artist.

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Every day should be Record Store Day, where music fans find and unearth something new.

I agree. Record Store Day is great but fans should go out and buy records from indie shops all the time. I encourage record stores -and I know this is difficult for them-- when they have limited stock, but accessibility is a problem. The new Elvis Costello live CD/DVD record came out and I could have bought it on Amazon but I made it a point to try and buy it an indie store. But I went to two stores in the city and neither had them, and this was two or three days after the release date and that's Elvis Costello title and he is a major artist, so imagine how hard it is for a smaller act?

There are a lot of different elements that need to be taken into consideration. People need to support the stores and allow them to carry more product.

It's such a classic chicken or egg argument. So why would a Fugazi fan dig your cover of "Waiting Room," causing them to head over to their local record store to see if they are selling it?

To me, it is a cover that is true to the original but unique at the same time. We approached it with a punk rock point of view. There are big differences in the vocal arrangement in the way we trade off. It makes it our own but is respectful and true to the original. Like anything, people are going to love it or hate it. We have nothing but the utmost respect for Ian and Fugazi. Ian has been supportive and great to deal with.

Anything else you'd like to say about the other elements of the release?

I hope people dig it and support indie shops. There are cool aspects. Shepherds Ferry is etched into the vinyl on the B-side and it does include a download card, so in addition to spinning it, you can pop it into your iPad or iPod for taking it around with you on the go. One other retro thing I did is this. People used to do 12" remixes. So if you liked the song, there was an alternate version. I was happy with the result of the cover and went into studio and did an old school extended remix; it's called the "Time Bomb remix." It's available via the download card and also as a digital download at iTunes, Amazon, etc.

There is also a limited edition screenprint is signed by Rob, me, Shepard Fairey and Casey Ryder, which are given away as prizes in indie stores. People can also order online.

Pick up the limited edition signed Fairey print, which also comes along with an MP3 download of the 5-song digital EP, at this link.

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