For a collector of recorded music, Los Angeles can be a virtual
goldmine, loaded with rare nuggets--but only if one knows where
to look. Recognized as the mainstream entertainment capital of
the world, L.A. is also one of the best places to find obscure
musical recordings. Whether one is looking for promotional CD
releases from the latest pop-singer-of-the-month or a little-known piece of vinyl by some forgotten opera diva, Los Angeles has much to offer the serious music collector.
It's worth noting that the dynamics of record collecting have
changed in the past few years. Certain records, once available
quite cheaply at thrift stores and garage sales, now bring in top
dollar at specialty outlets. Thanks in part to such publications
as the ReSearch Incredibly Strange Music books, Psychotronic
magazine and similar media, it has become fashionable to embrace
music, film and literary output from eras once ignored. Years
ago, it would have been easy to find cheap recordings by such
artists as Esquivel, Yma Sumac or Les Baxter without having to
spend a small fortune. On the other hand, many recordings that
were only available on vinyl have now been reissued on CD, making
much of this material more accessible than ever.
While it's harder these days to snag a $300 album for 50 cents at
a Goodwill store, there are still plenty of real gems to be found
if one is willing to do some digging. I spent over fifteen years
looking for an out-of-print record, and was told by more than one
dealer that it was "just sold for $250 last month," only to
chance upon a perfect copy for a mere $10 at a flea market. Such
discoveries don't always come so cheaply, but in Los Angeles you
are more likely to find a rare recording of your favorite obscure
musician than in any other city in the world.
Below is a list of some of the finest places in L.A. to buy
records, compact discs and audio cassettes. For the sake of
simplicity, stores that sell recorded music are referred to as
"record stores," as opposed to "compact disc and tape stores"
(too much of a tongue twister) or "music stores" (this usually
refers to stores that only sell musical instruments). Rather than
list the more common chain outlets such as Tower, Virgin and
Borders--which sell everything from compact discs and audio
cassettes to books, magazines and computer software--I've
provided a list of independent "record" stores that specialize in
some of the best pre-recorded music money can buy.
Every month, there are two regular record swaps in the Los
Angeles area, mostly filled with dealers who sell their wares at
these types of events, thus avoiding the overhead of a regular
storefront. One takes place at Pasadena Community College (1570
East Colorado Boulevard at the corner of Bonnie in Pasadena; 818-585-7906), which hosts a massive flea market on the first Sunday of every month, providing space for approximately 50 record
dealers. There's a huge variety of music available at this free
event, from 25 cent singles to $500 albums. A word of advice: get
there early, as the mid-day sun sometimes forces some dealers to
leave before closing time.
The other record swap is the Greater Orange County Monthly Record Show,
which usually takes place on the last Sunday of every month
at the Sequoia Club in Buena Park (7530 Orangethorpe Ave., near
Highway 5 & the 91 Freeway, between Beach Blvd. and Western Ave.;
626-963-9717). Of the two events, this one is more comfortable,
as it's held in an air-conditioned hall. In addition, there are
usually a few musical celebrities hanging around to sign
autographs. The cover charge for the event is only $3, and it's
best to check ahead to make sure that the hall hasn't been
reserved for some other event.
One of the first places a serious record collector in the Los
Angeles area should go is Atomic Records in Burbank (3818 W.
Magnolia Blvd., 1 1/2 blocks west of Hollywood Way; 818-848-7090).
A humble little place located between a print shop and
an animation art gallery, this shop has one of the greatest walls
I've ever seen, displaying some of the rarest records known to
humankind. Featuring a massive collection of soundtracks,
exotica, jazz and obscure garage rock, Atomic Records has plenty
of vinyl and CDs for any music lover.
Record Surplus (11609 Pico Blvd., between Barrington & the 405
Freeway; 310-478-4217) in West L.A. is another essential site for
the music collector. This audio oasis proclaims itself to be "the
last record store." With an extensive inventory of over 50,000
albums, some very reasonable prices and an upstairs attic where
no LP, tape or 45 is over 92 cents, Record Surplus offers a
chance to carry away a lot of music for very little money.
Also in the West Los Angeles area is Rhino Records (1720 Westwood
Blvd., between Santa Monica and Wilshire Blvds.; 310-474-8685),
the retail store that led to the record company of the same name.
This outlet, which has a mix of approximately 40 percent new
product to 60 percent used material, primarily sells CDs, but
there's also a healthy selection of vinyl as well as books,
magazines and videos. Rhino is a great place to find promotional
overstock and to catch occasional in-store performances by
up-and-coming artists.
Another great place for new, used and promotional overstock is
Aron's Records (1150 N. Highland Ave., between Santa Monica and
Sunset Blvds.; 213-469-4700). Located near
the center of Hollywood, Aron's has one of the best selections of
imported CDs anywhere, and the cheap record bins aren't bad
either.
If you prefer jazz or classical music in its original vinyl
incarnation, you can walk next door to The Record Collector (1158
N. Highland Ave.; 213-467-2875) and choose from over 400,00
different albums.
Not too far from the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine is
Counterpoint (5911 Franklin Ave.; 213-957-7965), a used bookstore
with an extensive collection of vinyl, CDs and tapes. This shop
has a wonderful wall covered with rare collectible records and
an eclectic selection of music guaranteed to appeal to all
tastes.
Stranded in the area known as "Guitar Ghetto," Sunset Records
(7509 Sunset Blvd.; 213-874-5212) is surrounded by numerous
guitar shops. This modest little store boasts a healthy
collection of vinyl, CDs, videotapes, posters, music books and
archival magazines.
Further west, right across the street from the Rainbow Room and
Billboard Live in West Hollywood, is the relatively new Shattered Music
(90026 Sunset Blvd.; 310-385-0193).
Originally an independent record label that released music from
ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, Pearl Harbour, Blue By Nature and
various other artists, this retail spin-off has made a big splash
since its opening a few months ago, thanks partly to the record
swaps it holds at its cozy location. Along with a good-sized
collection of vinyl, CDs and old music publications, Shattered
Music also has a wonderful display of autographed photographs,
some of which are for sale.
Melrose Avenue offers some decent record stores amongst the
clothing boutiques, eateries and thrift stores. Bleeker Bob's
(7454 Melrose Ave.; 213-951-9111), the West Coast division of the
famous New York store, features some of the finest new and used
European pop, punk rock, dance music and garage music to be found
in L.A. Closer to Fairfax High School is Melrose Records (7710
Melrose Ave., 213-782-9320), a charming little store with an
emphasis on newer music.
Sandwiched between these two is one of my personal favorites, Wally's Music
(7704 Melrose Ave., 213-852-1982), which has
one of the most diverse collections I've ever seen. The staff
tends to have more fun than those at most stores, and they aren't
afraid to play completely silly records. This shop--formerly known as
2nd Time Around--has a huge selection of 45 singles and also sells
turntables and other stereo equipment.
Driving east on Melrose Avenue towards Paramount Studios, you
might run across A-1 Records (5639 Melrose Ave.; 213-732-6737), a
massive warehouse of vinyl. Organized like one of the great
university libraries, this store is a tremendous resource for
those who know exactly what they want. Anyone else might be
intimidated by the massive scope of this establishment, which
also offers a search service with a 24-hour telephone request
line if you need a particular album, regardless of cost.
One of the more unusual thrift shops in L.A. is Archaic Idiot
(1720 N. Vermont Ave.; 213-953-8896), which shares its space with
the very eclectic video store Mondo Video. This place sells some
of the strangest music you've ever heard, ranging from completely
possessed evangelical sermons to bad lounge music by non-musical
celebrities to high school marching bands to ultra-fringe comedy
records. Clothing, books and odd little knick-knacks are also
available at Archaic Idiot (which is right down the street from
the Dresden Room, made famous by the film Swingers).
For punk-rock devotees, a pilgrimage to You've Got Bad Taste
(3816 Sunset Blvd.; 213-669-1718) is essential. Co-owned by Exene
Cervenka of the band X, this Silverlake store features an
in-store museum dedicated to the, um, art of punk rock, with rare
memorabilia from Blondie, Devo, the Germs, Black Flag and lots
of other punk trailblazers. While only music by such easy-listening
artists as Liberace, Jim Nabors and Don Ho is for
sale, you can walk next door to Destroy All Music (3818 Sunset
Blvd.; 213-663-9300) and find every variety of punk rock, from the
aforementioned punkers to the latest European hardcore garage
bands. Both of these stores sell some interesting memorabilia
that must be seen to be believed.
Out in Downey, a ways south of downtown, is Wentzel's Music Town
(13117 Lakewood Blvd.; 310-634-2928). Founded in 1958, this store
has become a local institution, and it's still going strong after
four decades. In past years, half of the store functioned as a
combination recording studio and record label, producing such
albums as the original recording of "Pipeline" by the Chantays.
The studio space has since become part of the shop, and it
continues to be one of the great places in Southern California to
pick up used vinyl and CD reissues, including the recently
released Downey Blues, featuring some of the best music ever
recorded at this unique place.
Last but not least, a mention must be given to Music Man Murray
(5055 Exposition Blvd.; 213-734-9146), one of the oldest record
dealers in Los Angeles. While some might be intimidated by the
unorthodox organization of the store, Murray knows his music and
can usually find what you're looking for within a matter of
minutes. There's a certain charm about his Central Los Angeles
location that cannot be replicated by any of the upstart used-record stores.
