.punk rock flea @ asbury park convention hall

The Convention Hall

It's that time again! Last year in June I found so many interesting things including that item of gold..."The Chipmunks" album I adored as a child. Never did I think I'd find it here. So what will the green doors hold this year? Convincing my Dad the night before, he agreed to accompany me on the one hour and twelve minute drive. A chilly day, yet the sun was shining. We were amazed at the artwork on some of the buildings along the boardwalk as a posed for a few pictures. My Dad took many pictures of the beach and of the nifty Convention Hall. 

90s postcard and sticker heaven!

The trip this time around was brief. Trying to restrain myself, I set a strict budget. Originally I said, "No records!" but managed to find X-Ray Spex in the mix. The guy next to me rummaging through albums whispered, "You need to get that!" I didn't even need his convincing I knew I needed to add it to my vinyl collection. Perusing the aisles a lot of the same vendors were there from last year. I stopped by some of the tables and complimented on past pieces I've purchased, especially my Bowie necklace from "Pretty in Skulls." 

More goodies!

Surprisingly I did not find many pins. My Dad graciously bought me the "Don't You Forget About Me" *air pump* Breakfast Club pin. This guy was selling knit cats and the one looked exactly like my cat PNell so I had to pick that up. Then this older guy had a box of old promo postcards and band stickers that were mostly from the 90s. I pulled out Tori Amos from her 1999 album "To Venus and Back" (freshman year at college memories!), Alanis' "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" and Hole "Celebrity Skin." $3 for all! I went slightly over budget because of the X-Ray Spex album but really that was the golden find of the trip.

Upstairs there was live music all day. Coincidentally I stumbled across Shark Muffin's opening set! Back in October the band opened for Tacocat at The Wonder Bar across the street. Interesting to see them again. I watched part of their set but did not stay the whole time as my Dad wanted to head back. My cousin had her artwork upstairs and I purchased another sticker from her. Funny story it's for Sadie from Sad13 the next time I see her live. Her old laptop bit the dust and she was bummed her favorite stickers were on that laptop. She tweeted about any stickers people could give her for the new laptop would be appreciated.  

That's pretty much it. Siri got us TOTALLY LOST on the way home with the STUPID CIRCLE as she kept changing from "North" to "South." We arrived home much later than anticipated but it's okay. Stopping for some really great pizza made the day even better. Another few weeks and it's off to Philly's PRF! Wonder what great things they will have there this year?!

.philly punk rock flea market 2016

This was the first time I attended. Around 250 vendors packed into a decent sized warehouse. Jewelry. Vintage. Art. Records. Books. Cassettes. Basically any music lovers paradise of quirky / arty finds. What was great about the flea market? You can also buy tickets for Union Transfer or Boot and Saddle shows free of those evil fees! I bought my tickets for Adult Mom, Hinds, Ladyhawke, and Belly. All for a bit under $60. Day 1 of the Flea Market was fantastic. My friend and I walked over from her house as the weather was perfection! First major find was tons of great 80s and random pins. I added a bunch to my current collection...

It was amazing to find a PIL pin on top of the pile. Forever I've been meaning to find one / buy one so the PIL gods were clearly in my favor! These two girls had a great mix of Empire Records, Beetlejuice, Clueless, Golden Girls, and feminist pins. That's where I got the Rex Manning and Day-oh! ones from.

In terms of tees my brother lost my Ramones shirt so I bought a new one. The Nine Inch Nails was a vintage find of $5. The Nirvana shirt however was a bit pricey since it was from 1992. They are carefully washed now and free of musty funk ;) In terms of records I had severe ADHD looking through EVERYTHING. This stand from Iris Records had a "Riot Grrrl" box. Filled with Sleater-Kinney albums I already own but was super happy to pull out Corin Tucker's "Kill My Blues." Then I found a red copy of Sonic Youth's "Goo" that I snatched up. When I first walked into the warehouse there was a table filled with rad night lights. Broad City is my favorite as I grabbed one for me and a surprise one for a friend. Who can resist Wayne and Garth earrings? The Breakfast Club ones were in the $1 bin so why not! Towards the end of our venture we stopped at Crust which is a vegan bakery. We both grabbed a cookie sandwich that was just excellent and extremely thick to bite into without tasting like rocks / sand ;)

Day 2 consisted of all new vendors minus a small handful that were there from the day before. Pretty much most of the same record vendors were there. I didn't really find any albums and didn't dig too deeply. Since I love Transparent and Heart I bought "Dreamboat Annie." A woman close by sold rock n'roll pillows but her Sex Pistols tote took my interest instead. I saw Patti Smith at New Yorker Festival last October and she performed "Because the Night." I bought the 7" single. A man sold candles for $5 as I eyed up the Bowie / Labyrinth / Jesus one. The feminist tables were awesome. Originally I bought a shirt that said "Feminism is not a dirty word" but traded it for the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fundamental Human Rights" instead. Another woman was selling empowering quotes that were on post-cards and prints. I liked the "Fuck Your Beauty Standards" one the best. Plan to frame that in the bathroom. Adding to my pins I found a few Bowie, one Pearl Jam, a Stone Roses, The Clash (I gave my first Clash pin to Carrie), and a Blondie. My last stop before leaving was random as I took one more walk down the first row. Within eye shot I spotted PJ Harvey's "Rid of Me" on cassette for $4! That was a great find!  I also bumped into my other friend who got a 7 Year Bitch album. She always finds great stuff too.

One of the record merchants handed me a flyer which advertised Punk Rock Flea in Asbury Park on June 4th. Guess what? I'm there! I highly recommend PRF and want to take as many friends as possible next time. There's one around Christmas so woohoo! Bring lots of cash though, many vendors do not accept credit cards.