Your Fave Record Shop

[Nick C]

Just wondering if any folks still have any particular record shops they like visiting.

My fave (the only real one left) is up in Hebden Bridge called Muse Music - I visit when I can which is rare enough (as some days it's shut when we go), and try n buy when I have some spare cash.

Here's a little link to it, with Sid outside (the chap who owns/runs it!)....the perfect guy to shoot the breeze with about music! I had to chuckle as it says some marriages had their start here which mine and the missus did ...it was the first place I ever took her on our first "date", and it wasn't a pub haha!

 

Muse Music

[Faron]

There is a great rock music shop in Dudley called ST Records, I've never come across a better place, spent loads there over the years.

[Fat Freddy]

Record shop? What's a record shop?

 

...but seriously folks, I am thankful to share my home state with Vintage Vinyl Records in Fords, NJ, which is one of the coolest record stores in America, if not the universe and/or any alternate dimensions thereof.

 

http://www.vvinyl.com/

 

I first went there in 1987 or '88 and for many years it was a regular Sunday afternoon ritual for my brother and I - we'd get in the car, drive down there, spend a couple of hours scrounging/browsing, then hit the pizza place next door for a couple of slices whilst looking over our purchases. Gawd, I miss those days.

 

Unfortunately, nowadays I live just far away from the store that going on a trip there becomes a massive undertaking and a huge pain in the ass, so I haven't set foot there since 2007 (I think). My brother and I have been talking about how we both abso-f*cking-lutely NEED to do an old school "Vintage Run" one of these fine days though, so who knows, if I can somehow manage to get a Saturday or Sunday to myself we may actually do it sometime soon!

[JamesEagle]

I used to love Rock It in Croydon, but it went out of busines years ago. Can't even find a picture of it online. I went there most lunchtimes for a year or more. It specialised in rock and metal and was run by 2 really decent blokes; they'd let customers listen to CDs before deciding whether to buy, unlike any other music shops in Croydon at the time. Spent a fortune in there and was happy to buy from them even if they were a couple of quid more expensive than HMV or Virgin. Those were the days.

[Evil Rick]

Luckily we have two used cd stores in town - both being Last Stop CD Shop. A person can spend hours in each one and still not get through everything. Plus now they have a feature online that lets you search their in stock inventory.

 

Last Shop CD Shop

[Swazi]

The "M2" in Munich. Hansi runs 2 outlets over here.

[cdjunky41]

Record shop? What's a record shop?

 

...but seriously folks, I am thankful to share my home state with Vintage Vinyl Records in Fords, NJ, which is one of the coolest record stores in America, if not the universe and/or any alternate dimensions thereof.

 

http://www.vvinyl.com/

 

I first went there in 1987 or '88 and for many years it was a regular Sunday afternoon ritual for my brother and I - we'd get in the car, drive down there, spend a couple of hours scrounging/browsing, then hit the pizza place next door for a couple of slices whilst looking over our purchases. Gawd, I miss those days.

 

Unfortunately, nowadays I live just far away from the store that going on a trip there becomes a massive undertaking and a huge pain in the ass, so I haven't set foot there since 2007 (I think). My brother and I have been talking about how we both abso-f*cking-lutely NEED to do an old school "Vintage Run" one of these fine days though, so who knows, if I can somehow manage to get a Saturday or Sunday to myself we may actually do it sometime soon!

 

Let me know and i'll meet you there..

 

The Double V is my favorite as well. I don't go there much anymore (Due to the lack of funds), but you can easily spend $100.

Got to see some great bands there as well (The Sword, Burnt By The Sun, Wolfmother) and In store signings (Anvil,Malmsteen,Richard Christie).

 

Just beware of all the bootlegs they have in stock..

[Nick C]

Some cool shops and tales there...thanks for the replies. I love hearing about stuff like this.

 

Another of my faves Vibes in Bury closed some months back...I used to go there from 1979 onwards it had such a cool import section and I picked up stuff like Zon - Astral Projector (on vinyl in 1979...the 1st thing I ever bought there, unfortunately I sold that my mate as I grabbed the blue vinyl version in Canada the next year), Kix, World Trade ... all sorts of stuff there, I could kick myself for some of the stuff I never bought at the time that I saw there and these days fetches the big money haha, but I guess that's the same for everyone.

[JamesEagle]

Some cool shops and tales there...thanks for the replies. I love hearing about stuff like this.

 

Another of my faves Vibes in Bury closed some months back...I used to go there from 1979 onwards it had such a cool import section and I picked up stuff like Zon - Astral Projector (on vinyl in 1979...the 1st thing I ever bought there, unfortunately I sold that my mate as I grabbed the blue vinyl version in Canada the next year), Kix, World Trade ... all sorts of stuff there, I could kick myself for some of the stuff I never bought at the time that I saw there and these days fetches the big money haha, but I guess that's the same for everyone.

 

There used to be loads in Manchester when I used to go up there about 10 years ago. Vinyl Exchange was still alright when I was last up there.

[Fat Freddy]

Let me know and i'll meet you there..

 

Definitely, although my bro and I have been "talking" about it on and off for a couple of years now, between his schedule and my schedule we can never seem to make it happen. It sucks getting old 'n' responsible 'n' sh*t...

[rogerrocket]

With our line of work I've obviously been lucky to have been able to visit a lot of different shops around the western U.S.. Before Cassie got really sick we used to hit the road for a week or more every couple months. It was kind of like being on tour...A different hotel almost every night, lugging our bags and boxes of cds and records up to the room every night and LOTS of fast food. These are probably my favorite stores:

 

1. The Beat - Sacramento, Ca.

Huge shop with everything. I also used to drive there once a month when I lived in Reno, Nevada back in 1988. I still remember my very first purchase there - Bad Habit debut EP, Jet Red s/t, Vain 'No Respect' and a couple of Steel Breeze 45's.

 

2. Easy Street Records - Seattle, Wa.

Probably the coolest store of about 20 cool stores in the Seattle/Tacoma area. An amazing area for cd/record hunting! Plus I got a pic of me with Frank Black of the Pixies in there after he dig an unplugged gig. That trip was also notable for us finding 3 Big City 'Make Your Mark' cds in one week (they only pressed 500).

 

3. Independent Records - Colorado Springs, Co.

Just because of the sheer volume of rare stuff I've found in there over the years. My sister-in-law lives up there so we hit them every time we visit. Not sure if it's this way now, but they were so big that they had two buildings of stuff across the street from each other.

 

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

5. Vinyl Revolution Records - Monterey, Ca.

Just for the fact of that's where I found my Philip Lynott 1976 promo cardboard stand-up, and they have an entire wall that's a "Motorhead" mural (the owner used to be one of their roadies). Obviously lots of metal in there. Plus spending the morning music hunting and walking around a place like Monterey does not suck.

 

 

Np - Benny Mardones - s/t '89

[Mullethead]

With our line of work I've obviously been lucky to have been able to visit a lot of different shops around the western U.S.. Before Cassie got really sick we used to hit the road for a week or more every couple months. It was kind of like being on tour...A different hotel almost every night, lugging our bags and boxes of cds and records up to the room every night and LOTS of fast food. These are probably my favorite stores:

 

1. The Beat - Sacramento, Ca.

Huge shop with everything. I also used to drive there once a month when I lived in Reno, Nevada back in 1988. I still remember my very first purchase there - Bad Habit debut EP, Jet Red s/t, Vain 'No Respect' and a couple of Steel Breeze 45's.

 

2. Easy Street Records - Seattle, Wa.

Probably the coolest store of about 20 cool stores in the SeaTac area. An amazing area for cd/record hunting! Plus I got a pic of me with Frank Black of the Pixies in there after he dig an unplugged gig. That trip was also notable for us finding 3 Big City 'Make Your Mark' cds in one week (they only pressed 500).

 

3. Independent Records - Colorado Springs, Co.

Just because of the sheer volume of rare stuff I've found in there over the years. My sister-in-law lives up there so we hit them every time we visit. Not sure if it's this way now, but they were so big that they had two buildings of stuff across the street from each other.

 

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

5. Vinyl Revolution Records - Monterey, Ca.

Just for the fact of that's where I found my Philip Lynott 1976 promo cardboard stand-up, and they have an entire wall that's a "Motorhead" mural (the owner used to be one of their roadies). Obviously lots of metal in there. Plus spending the morning music hunting and walking around a place like Monterey does not suck.

 

 

Np - Benny Mardones - s/t '89

 

 

I know this is not a walk in record store in my area but I have to say "Thanks!" to Roger and Wishing Well. You won't remember this but back in '97 ish (?) I received a great phone call at work from you. I had Black N Blue - In Heat & Cold Sweat - Break Out on my wish list forever and had basically given up on them. You called and told me you had them. I think you charged my like $30 total for both. I remember thinking really? For both? It was a great deal! Remember, this was before Ebay was a well known tool to find things and let me tell you...same as today, those two albums aren't normally sitting in a pawn shop somewhere, but they were even harder to find back then.

 

Some 15 years later I still buy from Wishing Well, but I will never forget that experience. Thanks again Roger!

[JamesEagle]

With our line of work I've obviously been lucky to have been able to visit a lot of different shops around the western U.S.. Before Cassie got really sick we used to hit the road for a week or more every couple months. It was kind of like being on tour...A different hotel almost every night, lugging our bags and boxes of cds and records up to the room every night and LOTS of fast food. These are probably my favorite stores:

 

1. The Beat - Sacramento, Ca.

Huge shop with everything. I also used to drive there once a month when I lived in Reno, Nevada back in 1988. I still remember my very first purchase there - Bad Habit debut EP, Jet Red s/t, Vain 'No Respect' and a couple of Steel Breeze 45's.

 

2. Easy Street Records - Seattle, Wa.

Probably the coolest store of about 20 cool stores in the SeaTac area. An amazing area for cd/record hunting! Plus I got a pic of me with Frank Black of the Pixies in there after he dig an unplugged gig. That trip was also notable for us finding 3 Big City 'Make Your Mark' cds in one week (they only pressed 500).

 

3. Independent Records - Colorado Springs, Co.

Just because of the sheer volume of rare stuff I've found in there over the years. My sister-in-law lives up there so we hit them every time we visit. Not sure if it's this way now, but they were so big that they had two buildings of stuff across the street from each other.

 

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

5. Vinyl Revolution Records - Monterey, Ca.

Just for the fact of that's where I found my Philip Lynott 1976 promo cardboard stand-up, and they have an entire wall that's a "Motorhead" mural (the owner used to be one of their roadies). Obviously lots of metal in there. Plus spending the morning music hunting and walking around a place like Monterey does not suck.

 

 

Np - Benny Mardones - s/t '89

 

I'm seething with envy!

 

[rogerrocket]

I know this is not a walk in record store in my area but I have to say "Thanks!" to Roger and Wishing Well. You won't remember this but back in '97 ish (?) I received a great phone call at work from you. I had Black N Blue - In Heat & Cold Sweat - Break Out on my wish list forever and had basically given up on them. You called and told me you had them. I think you charged my like $30 total for both. I remember thinking really? For both? It was a great deal! Remember, this was before Ebay was a well known tool to find things and let me tell you...same as today, those two albums aren't normally sitting in a pawn shop somewhere, but they were even harder to find back then.

 

Some 15 years later I still buy from Wishing Well, but I will never forget that experience. Thanks again Roger!

 

 

Thanks very much for the kind words (and the business). We appreciate it more than you know. We haven't always done things perfect over 15+ years, but we're still kicking! Big thanks to everyone here for all your support...not just with your purchases, but also with your encouraging words and good vibes while we've been dealing with our family health issues.

 

 

Np - Firewolfe - self-titled

[Fat Freddy]

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

I've never been to Amoeba but after seeing it on TV several times (once in the "Lemmy" documentary and also in one of Rachael Ray's "Travel" specials on the Food Network, of all places!) I have sworn that I will make a pilgrimage to this store at least once before I die. Even if I have to sell one of my kidneys to finance the trip.

[AlphaMale]

I used to love Record & Tape Traders here in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area. Most have gone under now though and I haven't been to any in years.

[cdjunky41]

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

I've never been to Amoeba but after seeing it on TV several times (once in the "Lemmy" documentary and also in one of Rachael Ray's "Travel" specials on the Food Network, of all places!) I have sworn that I will make a pilgrimage to this store at least once before I die. Even if I have to sell one of my kidneys to finance the trip.

 

I never been there myself either Keef, but I did buy a c.d. from them online (The Binges). I still get e-mail from them too.

[rogerrocket]

4. Amoeba Music - Hollywood, Ca.

A lot of people hate this place, but anywhere you can spend 6 hours looking for cds and records and still not see everything... Their store in San Francisco is cool too, but the store in Berkeley sucks. Just make sure you hit a restroom before you go in! They have no public toilets. The last time in S.F. I had to hit the boys room at the McDonalds next door (where a couple guys were shooting up heroin at the sink - at least they were polite and asked if I wanted some).

 

I've never been to Amoeba but after seeing it on TV several times (once in the "Lemmy" documentary and also in one of Rachael Ray's "Travel" specials on the Food Network, of all places!) I have sworn that I will make a pilgrimage to this store at least once before I die. Even if I have to sell one of my kidneys to finance the trip.

 

I never been there myself either Keef, but I did buy a c.d. from them online (The Binges). I still get e-mail from them too.

 

 

Yeah everyone needs to check out Amoeba at least once. There are sale bins with literally thousands of cds for $4.99 and less, and thousands of records for $1.00. We always find some cool indie stuff in there (especially the Hollywood store). The last time there we even found some vintage 80's concert shirts for $1.00 each.

 

One other really great store that's kind of out of the way is Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, California. Definitely worth the stop.

 

 

Np - Icon 'An Even More Perfect Union'

[Nick C]

Some cool shops and tales there...thanks for the replies. I love hearing about stuff like this.

 

Another of my faves Vibes in Bury closed some months back...I used to go there from 1979 onwards it had such a cool import section and I picked up stuff like Zon - Astral Projector (on vinyl in 1979...the 1st thing I ever bought there, unfortunately I sold that my mate as I grabbed the blue vinyl version in Canada the next year), Kix, World Trade ... all sorts of stuff there, I could kick myself for some of the stuff I never bought at the time that I saw there and these days fetches the big money haha, but I guess that's the same for everyone.

 

There used to be loads in Manchester when I used to go up there about 10 years ago. Vinyl Exchange was still alright when I was last up there.

 

Vinyl Exchange is still there in Manchester Centre - haven't been for ages as I don't often go into the BIG city haha! There used to be loads of places there but now there's only a handful, having said that there's probably a few I don't know about considering I don't really mooch around there as much. All my old favourites are long gone, Record Peddlar, various ones on Oldham Street, a few in the old Corn Exchange (which is now a swanky shopping centre) Yanks, Robinsons Records, Paperchase e.t.c.

[RichieZ]

In the SF greater Bay Area of California (plus Sacramento which is slightly further out), there's the Rasputin Music chain, of which there are now around 7 stores within 2 to 3 hours of each other (Berkeley, Campbell, Vallejo, Pleasant Hill, San Francisco, Fresno, Stockton) Dimple Music (6 stores in Sacramento, Davis, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Roseville, one other city I can't remember). Also Streetlight Records (San Jose and SF both just OK IMO), Amoeba Music (Berkeley yes this one sucks and San Francisco not bad but not great huge store, never been to the Hollywood one which is 8 hours south), Half Price Books (Berkeley, Newark, Dublin - mostly books but pretty good CD section), the Beat in Sacramento and Vinyl Revolution in Monterey (small but great!) Roger noted above.

 

Of the now-extinct stores, there used to be nearly a dozen Tower and Wherehouse Music stores, as well as the awesome and legendary Record Vault (SF) and Record Exchange (Walnut Creek), Dynasty Music (Orangevale/Citrus Heights) and finally the great CD Warehouse (Sunnyvale and Newark/Fremont).