Vinyloscopy with Chaka's Mark S. Sokoll

If I'm being honest with you, it's been far too long since we've had a column about records around this place and I, you friend and humble narrator gotta get busy living and get back to filling this joint up with misplaced content again.

SO...today we're talking records with the Bassist and Vocalist of Chaka.

Presently, they're still riding high on their EP, Neanderthal Tales, which you can stream up there on the BANDCAMP.

They've got some brutality waiting for you there.

In the meantime...there are records to talk about!!

1. Listening to Black Sabbath's eponymous debut the night I got it blew me away.

What's the album that sounds the best on vinyl compared to digital sources?

I believe that would be “Darkness Descends” by Dark Angel. The CD version just could not handle the drum sound.

2. I was laying in bed one night and couldn't sleep and I figured, it was time to start buying records. How did you come to the idea that it was time to start buying vinyl instead?

I am a dinosaur in age and therefore am lucky enough to have grown up with the vinyl medium. 

3. For my old stuff, it's vinyl worthy, for new stuff, it's all vinyl if available. Do you buy everything on wax or do you have a vinyl worthy category?

Most of the music I own is on vinyl which includes Classical, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal, etc. I buy CDs merely for their portability.

4. My second living room is where I keep it all. Upstairs, my 1971 Sherwood 7100-S, Receiver,  1975 Pioneer PL-200, and 70's Sansui 5 way speakers. Tell us all about your vinyl set up.

I have an old Packard Bell solid-state monster stereo in my dining room.

She is loud and thumping, much to the chagrin of my neighbors. She just barely fit into my car and when I picked her up, she caused my car to overheat from the extra weight.

In retrospect, it was totally worth replacing my car’s radiator.  

5. Do you read the lyrics and go over the inserts when you're spinning?

Of course! Nothing cooler than the tactile sensation of doing this.

6. When someone says, I'm stupid for buying records, I tell them, thanks, more limited edition colored vinyl for me, what's your answer?

My answer is “to each their own” and “Now I can buy that!”

7. My first album ever was Live Evil by Black Sabbath, so I'm stuck on live albums. What's the best live album on vinyl?

Great choice! I must go with KISS Alive 2.

It just sounds so amazing and it shakes the whole house! For years, I’d put it on and play my bass guitar along with it with a special instrument cable through the auxiliary jack.

Even today, hearing this record brings me back to my youth.

8. Tell me about your latest vinyl release.

My “Neanderthal Tales” EP will come out on vinyl sometime later this year, possibly with an extra song. 

9. Listening to records is my comfort food for my soul. As mentioned earlier, I have a living room dedicated to it. I normally drink a beer or two whilst listening to music I love.

Describe your normal listening experience.

We might be kindred spirits since I have a full room dedicated to my stereo, too.

When I listen to Classical music, I usually read or do chores. When I put on the heavier stuff, out comes the beer and the bongs.

I can literally lie atop my stereo when it is closed and absorb the music in a very visceral way. I also like to put the volume of the stereo way up and listen from another room; what a difference this makes!