Johann Billimoria is a Sydney based collector, who has slowly and steadily been amassing quite the collection of records. Not one to limit his listening a particular style of punk and hardcore, Johann really does have a bit of everything on offer.

Name: Johann Billimoria
 
Current Population
7”s: 115
10”s: zero (hate them)
12”s: 650
Test Pressings: zero
 
First Born:

The first Dead Fucking Last (DFL) 7” on Grand Royal. I didn't even have a record player at the time. I just wanted it for some reason and eventually bought a record player...
 
Latest addition to the Family:

The latest Lecherous Gaze LP from the show the other night.

 
The Pride of the Fleet:

The Gang Green 'Skate To Hell' Skull Skates picture disk 7”. Such a great novelty.

 
The Hen’s Tooth:

I don't think any of them are SUPER rare, they can be all found out in the wild or on the internet if you look hard enough and have the patience.
 
Not Cheap:

$105, the Necros 'Conquest For Death' LP on Touch And Go.
 
White Whale:

Samhain 'Unholy Passion' 12” EP. It's come up on eBay several times over the years, but the price just seems to get higher every year with stupid Misfits collectors bidding like crazy. That, and Mindsnare 'Credulity' LP...someone hit me up!! :)

 
Why Did I Trade That: None
 
Bargain Buy:

Nothing has been super cheap, but it was fun to pay retail price at Resist for AFI 'Sing The Sorrow' LP for 30 bucks at the time of release, which seems to be over $200 now.

Are you a completest or collector of any band or label in particular:

Nope

How do you usually acquire your records? Shops, distros, internet, fairs, trades, friends etc?

All of those except trade. Never traded a record.

Most memorable experience acquiring a record?

Well, I didn't actually acquire any, but the experience was memorable. My second time in Tokyo and there is this super small shop in Nakano with a great selection of records so I'd heard.

It was my second last day with not much money left, so I needed to find an ATM (7 Eleven) and the closest was about a half hour walk from the station. I walked for half hour there, and back (no cab, I needed the money for records!)

Got to the store, and it was closed.  Closed on Thursdays. I was gutted, and I think a tear actually came out from the disappointment. I even peeped through the mail slot hoping someone was in there hahaha. My flight was the next morning at 11am when they opened. Always check when a shop is actually open.

Represses. Do they devalue collections or add to them? Do you fuss over the press of records?

Early presses only for old stuff. I generally don't like represses. The quality of the recording is never the same as the original, or never better, the covers aren't usually as good, horrible labels etc. I only buy them if I know I'll absolutely never own the original or if maybe the reissue is actually well made.

Autographed records. Do you own any, did you get them signed yourself and do you think it makes them more valuable?

Don't own any signed records, but I think if the band was super popular or had charismatic musicians then it would make it more valuable….and as long as it isn't signed to a particular person.

 
Guilty pleasure or secret shame:

I have that first Goldfinger LP which I still love….
 
What’s the absolute limit you would ever pay for a record?

Around the $100 - $110 mark.

Best tip you can offer a potential collector?

Don't buy average albums / 7” for the sake of completing, or having more records. If it's shit then it should be doomed to the cheap bin or sit in a shop for years. Your money could be better spent with something else.
 
Are record collectors all really pretentious arseholes?

Not really. Some go way overboard with colour collecting, but not pretentious.