(Photo courtesy of Adam O’Donnell/A Damn Shame Records) “Owner and proprietor Adam O’Donnell frequently posts with his new arrivals”
Aaron Preziosi
Connector Editor
Music is a part of everyone’s life, whether it’s rock & roll, hip hop, R&B, EDM, metal, punk, grunge, easy listening, soul, jazz, or anything in-between. Digital outlets are more popular than ever, but for the enthusiast, few mediums beat classic vinyl records. Some claim their crisp sound is sharper and clearer than digital masters, others like to collect physical media, and others enjoy the simplicity of the format or find it nostalgic. No matter the reason for their interest, however, vinyl enthusiasts should pay a visit to A Damn Shame in Mill No. 5 in the heart of the city, just a few minutes away from North Campus. The store is small but quaint, furnished with antique wood thanks to the mill, and lots of nice shelves completely stocked with records of all kinds. On their Instagram page, A Damn Shame claims to specialize in “hardcore, metal, punk, new wave/goth, hip hop, and everything in between,” which is absolutely true. Upon visiting the store one can expect to find exactly that and then some, be it new or used.
Furthermore, A Damn Shame offers more than just records. In addition to vinyl, the store features an assortment of both CDs and cassette tapes consisting of both official releases and homemade mixtapes. While the store does have its focus, there is something for everybody.
Owner and proprietor Adam O’Donnell is very connected to the scene, and prior to opening his own store actually worked at Vinyl Destination for six years, which occupied the same space as A Damn Shame for ten years before closing. He wants to bring his own personal tastes into the space in the form of metal, punk, and hardcore selections while also maintaining an open, fun space for music fans of all kinds. Being able to have people come in and share a common love for music is one of his goals, one he seeks to accomplish by promoting not just the music he likes, but also classics and modern masterpieces that are bound to appeal to all different kinds of music fans.
Additionally, O’Donnell is very active on the store’s Instagram page. He regularly posts about new arrivals, highlights interesting albums, and shares news regarding the store. For any excited concertgoers, O’Donnell stated in a brief interview that he has plans to work with the box office at Taffeta Music Hall in order to promote shows for local bands. He wants to bring attention to all the amazing musical talent of Lowell, once again feeding into the idea of creating an open, fun space for music lovers of all kinds to congregate and appreciate physical media and local talent. He was clearly very passionate not just about his store, but about music in general.
A Damn Shame is a shining example of just how passionate the music scene can be. In every post on his Instagram, it is extremely clear that Adam O’Donnell not only has that passion but capitalizes on it. If you enjoy any of the genres listed in this article, it is worth your time to pay him a visit and shop around at A Damn Shame in Mill No. 5, located in Suite 405 on the 4th floor, right down the street from North Campus.
