hmv has driven them out of business and now stands as the only place to buy new music within an hours bus journey of where i live that isn't woolworths or a supermarket.

Dam. (formerly concepts) has been a staple of the durham scene for years and was one of the most important contributors to the evolution of my, and probably most of durhams 'alternative' crowd's, musical taste.

not only was it the only place for miles that stocked relatively uncommercial indie, punk, metal and dance records it was also one of the few places that sold the cds and cassettes of local bands.

with music zone long gone and now dam shutting down all we're left with an hmv not much better than the one in manchesters main train station.

[sad emoticon.]