Rock Stop #8: Amoeba Music - Hollywood, CA

I have previously written a post extolling the virtues of New England's Newbury Comics. I'm here now sharing a West Coast version, albeit more independently run - Amoeba Music.

I finally visited this huge record store while hanging out on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood and loved it. This store is the largest store in the "chain" - it takes up a whole block! - though the original location is in Berkeley and you can also get your fix in San Francisco. I was amazed at the size and layout upon walking in. There is just so much to look at...it is definitely a music lovers dream.

Rows upon rows of CDs occupy the large downstairs floor, housing lots of rock and pop, among other genres. There is also a whole separate room full of jazz and classical music! What I'm getting at is that Amoeba truly does have a great variety of music, including many new and used CDs, imports and compilations, and hard-to-find live recordings. In the market for some vinyl? Amoeba's got ya covered. Really jonesin' for some cassettes? Believe it or not, there's a large wall display full! I bet if you dug around hard enough, you might even turn up some 8-tracks. ;)

Want to take a more literary approach to music? A side bookshelf holds many different titles for the musically inclined. There are biographies and "learn to plays" and older, out of print books. I even found a 1980s era Def Leppard photo book while browsing!

Upstairs, you can find boatloads of more fun stuff. [Truthfully, not entirely sure what's up there because we didn't have time to investigate as the downstairs took long enough to explore!] In a corner there, you can find reproductions of old concert flyers and posters. Right over here, a small live venue holds regular live bands, DJs, release parties, and who knows what else. Up front, the store is staffed by musically smart associates and you can sell your collections here and make a few bucks. There is truly something for everyone...definitely make this musical institution a stop on your rock adventures!

Amoeba Records is located at 6400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

Rock Stop #5: Newbury Comics

A favorite amongst music enthusiasts is the record store Newbury Comics! Newbury Comics got its start as a comic book shop in Boston, right on Newbury Street. Gradually, the comics were relegated to a small area of the shop while the music section took over. Say it with me rock fans, “Whew!” The original location is still there and definitely worth a pit stop on your way through Boston. Aside from the original, there are 29 store locations, all located in New England, though most are in Massachusetts.

(Photo courtesy of celebrateboston.com)

Massachusetts also boasts the largest store in the chain on Route 1 in Norwood. This location is much more spacious and filled to the brim with, well, what seems like everything. Occasionally, bands perform acoustic sets and host meet-n-greets here (and at the Newbury Street location too). Steel Panther and Andrew W.K. are just two rock artists to have swung through!

You might be asking yourself, “What’s the big deal? A music store is a music store is a music store.” But…you’re wrong! :) Yes, Newbury Comics has a wide variety of various genres of new and used CDs like any other store but the company is big on supporting independent and local musicians, so you’re bound to find something new and intriguing! And they keep a nice supply of vinyl in for you turn-table devotees. Aside from the tunes themselves, you can score band merchandise in the form of clothing and posters and pick from the numerous music-related magazines, books, and DVDs.

Also, Newbury Comics is one-stop shopping for many quirky goods, from slogan shirts to unusual figurines to hilarious magnets, body jewelry and accessories, all kinds of books, and, yes, comics. If music isn’t your thing, then perhaps you’ll also want to peruse their large selection of movie and television show DVDs. Sports fan? They’ve got ya covered with an assortment of sports paraphernalia. There’s surely something for everyone here and, if not, at least you’ll have a laugh or two at some of the more out-there items. Hamburger phone, anyone?

(Steel Panther in-store appearance photos courtesy of our own You Ain't Blonde, via Mega Metal Photos !)

For a complete list of store locations, please visit the Newbury Comics website.

The original Newbury Comics is located at 332 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.

The largest Newbury Comics is located at 859 Boston/Providence Highway (Route 1), Norwood, MA.