Ep511: Nick Aguilar - Record Collector

Ep511: Nick Aguilar - Record Collector

Author: The Vinyl Guide August 5, 2025 Duration: 1:14:24

Nick Aguilar of Frankie and the Witch Fingers and Slaughterhouse is a vinyl maniac! Today we discuss his collection, his obsession, the rarities and a life of music & record collecting.

Topics Include:

  • Nick Aguilar plays drums in multiple bands including Frankie and the Witch Fingers
  • Currently focusing mainly on Frankie due to busy touring schedule ahead
  • Extensive tour dates planned through end of year across US and Europe
  • Considers himself a music fan first, musician second since childhood
  • Dad played tapes during Nick's colic as baby, introducing classic rock
  • Father went to San Pedro High School with future Minutemen members
  • Dad chose commercial fishing over music after graduation in 1976
  • San Pedro's shipping port culture shaped the local music scene
  • Nick has surpassed his dad's music knowledge over the years
  • Started collecting at age 11 when neighbor gave away record collection
  • First records included Rolling Stones "Some Girls" and Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti"
  • Still regrets not taking Buzzcocks "Singles Going Steady" from that collection
  • Casual collecting through school, seriously ramped up after high school graduation
  • Pandemic period 2020-2022 massively accelerated his collecting and cataloging habits
  • Taught himself DJing during lockdown to play records for people
  • Discovered new genres like soul, funk, kraut rock through deep diving
  • Got lucky buying expensive records cheap before current inflated market
  • Focuses on 45s and 12-inches that work well for DJing
  • Extreme organization needed to juggle multiple bands, touring, collecting, DJing
  • Record store strategy: always hit new arrivals section first
  • Holy grail wants include The Litter and James Knight records
  • Uses both Discogs hunting and in-person digging at stores
  • Thrift store finds getting much rarer as market knowledge spreads
  • Appreciates reissue labels like Numero Group for discovering rare music
  • Limited record shopping time while touring due to tight schedules
  • Favorite shops include Breakaway in Austin and Academy in NYC
  • Most expensive purchase: Helen Smith soul record for $2,900 on credit
  • Most sentimental record: The Frighteners, reminds him of deceased friend
  • Keeps multiple copies of key records for DJing versus home listening
  • Band creates multiple vinyl variants through their Greenway Records label

See Frankie and the Witch Fingers and order their vinyl here.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep477: From Deep Six to Skin Yard Select - Daniel House of CZ Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:07
Daniel House of CZ Records had a pivotal role in the Seattle music scene of the 1980s and early 1990s, including his work with Skin Yard, his time as a key employee at Sub Pop Records, and working with influential bands…
Ep476: Redd Kross - Born Innocent with Jeff and Steven [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:38
Jeff & Steven McDonald join us to discuss the new documentary "Born Innocent - The Redd Kross Story", learnings from their lifelong musical partnership, memories of early punk days, David Bowie, Germs and more. Topics In…
Ep475: Lords and Lady Kevin + Trevor Dunn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:51
A chaotic dive into the world of Kevin Rutmanis, Gina Skwoz, and Trevor Dunn as they discuss the new Lords & Lady Kevin + Trevor Dunn LP "Last Days at Hot Slit", their experimental music-making process, the liberating un…
Ep474: Lucas Harwood - Heavy Moss, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:09
Lucas Harwood of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard discusses his new project Heavy Moss, their eco-conscious approach to vinyl production, the making of their album Dead Slow, life on tour, King Gizzard vinyl, posters,…
Ep473: Damon Che and Kristian Dunn of Yesness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:57
Yesness is a 2-piece featuring Damon Che (Don Caballero) and Tristan Dunn (El Ten Eleven). We discuss their formation, writing and recording their debut album "See You at the Solipsist Convention", math-rock, post-rock,…
Ep472: Andy Scott of The Sweet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
Andy Scott of The Sweet discusses band history, rare records, various versions of "Desolation Boulevard", mega-hits like "Ballroom Blitz", "Fox On The Run", meeting Beatles, Australia tour & lots more! Topics Include: An…
Ep471: Mac McCaughan - Superchunk, Merge Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
Mac McCaughan of Superchunk and co-founder of Merge Records shares insights into the label, being a record collector, "Peak Vinyl" limited vinyl releases, vinyl production, Superchunk's upcoming tour in Australia and hea…
Ep470: Steve Diggle of Buzzcocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:37
Steve Diggle of Buzzcocks shares stories from the early punk scene, the making of "Spiral Scratch", rare vinyl releases, the band's lasting influence and his new book "Autonomy." Topics Include: Steve logs on – golf shir…
Ep469: Cook Craig - Pipe-Eye, King Gizzard, The Murlocs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:13
Cook Craig of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs discusses his new Pipe-Eye solo LP, early and rare recordings, KGATLW bootlegger series, touring & lots more. Topics Include: Name preference Cookie's record…
Ep468: Justin Trosper of Unwound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
Justin Trosper of Unwound discusses the band's resurgence, vinyl reissues, intergenerational fanbase, reflections on maintaining artistic integrity and what may be next for the band. Topics Include: Unwound's upcoming de…