so, i've spent the entire last day searching all of taipei for more eight ban records, and to almost no avail. i say almost, because i did indeed find a series i hadn't heard of... 'checkers discography', featuring the old pop band 'checkers'. unfortunately, i don't care nearly as much for 'checkers' as i do for 'really cool vintage cartoon soundtracks' (though im sure thats not what the series is called.

anyhow... i first came upon the eight ban record player through a friends blog a while back, and was immediately moved to go buy one myself. i have a very obsessive compulsive spending habit, especially where unique asian collectibles are concerned. anyhow, it wasn't until only a week or so ago, that i ran across an eight ban player in a used clothing and dj equipment store in ximen ding. i immediately set forth to find the stores i had been told carried the corresponding vinyls, but to no avail (my chinese isn't that great, and neither is my sense of direction).

so, i took this challenge as an opportunity to go out and search again. unfortunately i have just shaved my head again, so spending 8 hours walking and driving my motorcycle around taipei left me very sunburned and exhausted. when i finally found the one store that might still have copies left, i discovered that they were closed for renovations until the end of the week.

so, i have added an additional 'new product' to the eight ban post. one of the most incredible feeling for me, is walking into a convenient store and having my eyes fall upon perfectly square boxes, about an inch thick, that might possibly contain mini cd's wielding vintage recordings or theme songs. the three boxes in the third row are these very such boxes. The middle one, sold mostly at 7-11 and welcome mart, not only holds one of four randomly inserted theme song mini-cd's (with and without vocal tracks), but also a lovely little chocolate coin! unfortunately, despite what might appear as two chocolate coins on the cover, there is actually only one (with two different faces). anyhow... i raided the 7-11's in my neighborhood last night, hopeing to find the four and final cd to complete my collection. unfortunately, after 7 of these boxes (read 'extras if anyone wants presents'), i still wasn't able to complete my collection. so, the pinkish covered box in the bottom row, is actually the sample mp3 from the companies website.

anyhow... regarding the eight ban record player. after getting this lovely toy home, it only took 3 hours of playing with before i decided it was time to open it up and see how it works. so, i took the liberty to add a 3/4 inch output and removed the speakers, so that i might use the record player to perform or record with. then i spent the next several days pretending i knew how to scratch, thus resulting in the awful quality on the recording you 'may' or 'may not' have chosen to listen to. either way, i found it is very entertaining to run the albums through a airsynth and mic preamp, and came up with some fun and unrecognizable sounds i might someday decide to record with. another fun thing that this sort of tampering does, is it turns the needle into a veritable pickup microphone, amplifying any tiny vibration around it, including heavy voices and the shuffling of feet. i most of spent hours with my mouth over the needles arm, singing along with (and without) the records.

anyhow... i really hope you enjoy these mp3s as much as i do. i had to go through a lot fo trouble to make/get them... as apparently its not ok to stick mini cd's into a powerbooks disc drive (which i actually should have learned after i jammed a 'tv pow' release into it last year). also, i can't seem to get some of the mp3s up on the server because of their size, so until the guys get back from celebrating Mikey's birthday, some of the links will only reach incomplete songs. if you want the full lengths or instrumentals, let me know.

oh yes... i nearly forgot! i must send my regards to william for drawing my attention to these 7-11 collectors cd's, i would have never noticed them otherwise.

oh! and in my search for the 8 ban records, i did come across the taitsukun action figuers in lyova's post... and they truely are amazing! i'd probably have bought it if i'd know i'd read about them again on ultimate blogger. i certainly will be picking up a Gillette Venus Vibrance at my next stop to the cosmetic market.

Posted by: james at May 18, 2005 12:22 AM

oh yes... and a really lovely eight ban label to keep an eye out for... right here

Posted by: james at May 18, 2005 12:29 AM

ok.. if you want the full versions, come get them here...
cartoon 2
cartoon 4
doremon
the other one
checkers - one night gigolo

Posted by: james at May 18, 2005 1:05 AM

James, I'm so glad you posted these comments! Really interesting stuff. Not to be dumb, but what IS an eight ban record player? Is it a different size? And what is special about it?

Posted by: freddy at May 18, 2005 9:18 AM

This is a great post. I've been lusting over the 8 ban for a while and I'm really glad you posted these clips!

Posted by: Leslie P at May 18, 2005 10:38 AM

James, I love your posts because they're like Christmas Crackers- totally beautiful and filled with surprises! You are not my sidekick, you are my crime-fighting partner. If you ever need to call the attention of the Ladies Rescue and Leisure Society, just play one of your adorable songs on your 8 ban and we'll jive on over!

Posted by: willow at May 18, 2005 11:42 AM

i think ban is a unit of measurement...these records are smaller (and thus, cuter) than the normal kind.

Posted by: Kevin Erickson at May 18, 2005 12:20 PM

i feel a little bad that i ate the chocolate before i listened to the cd from the one you sent me.

Posted by: george at May 18, 2005 12:36 PM