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THE HEAVY METAL SHOP: Peddlin’ Evil in the City of Salt for the Past 21 Years By: Shauna Brock
Tucked away off of State Street in downtown Salt Lake City, in the same district as the Scott Matheson Courthouse, the Department of Workforce Services, and the City/County Building, there is a small street that houses a tattoo parlor, a tea bar, and a Salt Lake icon: The Heavy Metal Shop. As a girl growing up in Salt Lake, I spent a lot of time listening to the music that shop sold, but I never actually visited the premises until I was an adult. Better late than never though – it’s now one of my favorite places. On those days when I’m downtown with a bit of time on my hands, I love to duck inside the small shop, chat music, giggle at Sydney the dog, and spend a few moments looking at CDs and merchandise.
Started in 1987, The Heavy Metal shop is run by Kevin Kirk, a former musician who realized that running a record store “made more sense than being in a band.” After seeing Alice Cooper on TV when he was 12, Kevin knew music was where his life was headed, but he had no idea he’d own and manage a record store. Presently in its third location, the current incarnation of the shop is a small room, no larger than the average living room, papered in posters, articles, and pictures. One wall caters to the CD catalog, handpicked by Kevin himself. Taking advantage of the changing face of the independent music store, Kevin carries full catalogs of his own choosing. He even has a signed Rob Halford CD, which can be found amongst the Cannibal Corpse and Metallica libraries. In addition to national and international bands, Kevin’s devotion to local and independent music is evident in the boxes of CDs from Utah metal acts that are available for purchase. Glass cases hold various and sundry heavy metal jewelry and paraphernalia; a small bank of collectible posters is available, and a whiteboard on the wall announces upcoming metal shows in the area. Kevin secures tickets to many of these shows and offers them for sale. Stacks of fliers and free papers are available. But it is Heavy Metal Shop merchandise such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, beer cozies, mugs, and dog shirts emblazoned with names such as “Megabreath” and “Judas Beast” that are the biggest and most sought after items.
According to Kevin, it’s the merch that keeps the kids coming in. The trademark skull and “Peddlin Evil” logo are a badge of honor around the Valley – and in the music world. Bands including Slayer, Metal Church, Dying Fetus, Megadeth, and Bleeding Through have been photographed in Heavy Metal gear. Local musicians such as Taylor Richards of Royal Bliss proudly display shots of themselves in Heavy Metal Shop clothing.
Entering its 21st year, the Heavy Metal Shop has definitely formed a relationship with its community. Kids who came into the shop when it was housed in Sandy two decades ago are now bringing in their own children to peruse the collection. Local and national musicians who support the store often play to packed houses at popular in-store concerts.
Heavy Metal, says Kevin, is a bastard term that can encompass a lot of musicians and speaks differently to each listener. To him, it means loud drums and loud guitars, and he points to musicians like Rick Nelson and bands such as Cinderella as fantastic examples. “It’s different for everyone,” he says, wisely, and his catalog of music couldn’t highlight that more. But it’s not just a music choice, it’s often a lifestyle choice too. Kevin noted that for all the swaggering of the kids who come into the shop, it’s the older metalheads who are really comfortable with their styles and music choices. The younger ones are more self-conscious about their image. Maybe Heavy Metal something you’ve got to settle into.
In late June, The Heavy Metal Shop celebrated its 21st birthday with live performances from acts such as Michael Dean Damron, Kleveland, and The Devil's Own, whose frontman Piss Pissedoffherson can easily claim the title of ‘Most Ridiculously Named Singer.’ It’s easy to feel old when you’re reminded that the shop is almost as old as the Heavy Metal genre itself. But, when you realize a tiny store in downtown Salt Lake is helping to foster a whole new generation of headbangers, age becomes a mere trifle. After all, everyone feels young when they hear Rob Halford chanting “Breaking the Law.”
