Magik Dayze Vinyl Spotted at Rockaway Records

Extremely rare self-published album available at Rockaway Records in Los Angeles, CA.

The 12″ vinyl LP is listed at a sale price of $200. Brothers Wayne and Gary Johnson began re-selling albums in 1979 after attending one of the legendary record swap meets in the Capitol Records parking lot in Hollywood. What began as a hobby more than 30 years ago, quickly turned into a business when they were virtually forced to open a store, if only to house their growing collection!

Rockaway purchased “Rainbow Records”, a small well-known record store in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. They now started selling new and used records and cassettes in addition to collectibles. Rockaway grew so quickly, they had to move 2 more times, finally settling into the present Silver Lake location in 1992.

In 1984 another brother, Alan, opened a Rockaway in Mesa, Arizona. Sadly, that store is now closed. Then in 1992, yet another brother, Scott, opened a Rockaway in Brisbane, Australia.

While nearly every independent record store (and many chains) in Los Angeles has closed, Rockaway is flourishing. Wayne and Gary are aggressively acquiring extensive record industry collections and purchasing personal collections of CDs, records, DVDs, concert-related items, tour programs, toys, as well as rock ‘n’ roll promo items and collectibles. Frequently paying five and six figures for valuable collections, Rockaway recently paid $600,000 for a single collection of vinyl and $150,000 for a CD collection. Continue reading “Magik Dayze Vinyl Spotted at Rockaway Records”

“Highway Blues” hits the road

Another “sad to be leaving town” song. Features excellent lyrics and lead vocal by Robin. Nice overdrive on the guitar solos with just the right amount of Mellotron orchestration. A tight bottom end rhythm drives this song down the road.

“Black Lightning” – a tribute to Jimi Hendrix

Magik Dayze were huge fans on Hendrix and played a version of Purple Haze and Foxey Lady in their show. It’s only natural that Robin would write a tribute song to the life of Jimi. Ironically, Robin wrote and played this song on a black Les Paul and only later added a Strat to his arsenal. Black Lightning features Doug on vocals and no Charles. Actually, this song was written when the band was between keyboard players and performed for a short time as a trio.

“Hollywood” is the song of the day

Written by Mike, Hollywood was arranged by the band as all of Magik Dayze’s songs were. Robin provides some great chord comping and lead work on this tune. Doug and Mike play a solid rhythm section and Charles adds some very tasty Mellotron and synth work. The bass on this track is a 1965 pawn shop Fender Precision that was purchased in Indianapolis – home of the “Waffle House”. It was rehabbed by Murphy-Shaw in Kalamazoo with new frets, a new clear coat on the neck, DiMarzio pickup and Badass bass bridge.

“Sea Me Home” sets sail in the download store

Sea Me Home is the story of a sea captain in the day of mythical voyages in a world ruled by the whim of the Gods–much like today…

Its a lyrical piece written by Robin and arranged by the band. A brooding bass and drum beat is offset by lilting electric guitar rhythms and synth and tron accents. The melodic vocal line holds it all together. I don’t remember if we ever performed this song live but its one of my all time favorites. Didn’t make it to vinyl. I think Robin is playing his custom Murphy-Shaw guitar on this track.