January Record Shopping in Los Angeles, California

One year later and I'm back again. Your boy had a big 50th birthday over here and my family was nice enough to not only take me to Universal Studios Hollywood for a couple days, but also carve out a few hours on our last day in LA for me to spend some time and money at Amoeba. And that I did.

This newer storefront in this newer location isn't nearly as grand as the big-billboard one was over on Sunset, but it's also not nearly as piss-stained, so I'm sure it's a plus for everyone involved.

Anyway, I spent a few hours there and that was about good. Had in mind that I might make a slightly ridiculous purchase if the opportunity arose, but it did not, and that's usually more of a relief than anything. Here's what I got:

Heat: Music from the Motion Picture (1995)

This is the only new record I bought there, and it felt right because this just came out on vinyl pretty recently, but mostly because I was in Los Angeles and it was sunny and strangely ominous like it always is there. I had this CD for a while and lost it so I'm happy to have this. Good music to drive around to if you want to pretend someone is following you. 

Foxes: Music from the Motion Picture (1980)

Looks like this one is a combo of hot disco numbers by pop artists and instrumental jams by Giorgio Moroder. Double LP in a gatefold sleeve and boy, I don't think I've watched this movie in a decade. Forgot that Randy Quaid is in it. Also forgot that there are a pair of cuts by Angel on here. Oh, Punky!

Slam Dance: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1987)

This was 3 bucks and I remember liking this movie when I watched it 12 years ago. Adam Ant and John Doe are in this thing. It does not appear that this LP is very popular. 

Lou Reed - Set the Twilight Reeling  (1996)

I'm not sure I've ever heard this record. I go pretty deep with Lou Reed but I guess I never got to this one. This is the Record Store Day pressing from 2021 with etching on the fourth side. I have a lot of original/early versions of his records, but for LPs like this and Magic and Loss, I can live with a solid reissue. 

Ministry - Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (1992)

I will accept no other title for this album. I spent some heavy time with this CD during my junior year of high school and I still enjoy it, especially if I've had too much coffee. And let's remember that "Jesus Built My Hotrod" is truly one of the greatest and most emblematic singles of the early 90s. This is the 2011 reissue and they did a great job of replicating the original. I don't see a website address on the back of this thing, and I appreciate that. This was the toe I dipped into industrial rock as a teenager and I promptly pulled it right back out.

Queens of Compton - "Welcome to Compton" 12" (1989)

Sealed, even! Amoeba used to have a huuuuge rap 12" section and it's just not as beefy anymore. That being said, I was happy to find this one. Got it for ten bucks and I feel like it would be twice that up here. I need to find some of this group's cassettes. 

Various - Sounds-Waves 2 7" (1988)

This has a Chuck Mosley-era Faith No More non-album cut on it so I figured it was worth 2 bucks. It's "New Improved Song," which they would later rework as "The Morning After" with Mike Patton. They gave this away with a UK magazine.

Various - Sounds Blasts! EP2 7" (1989)

They must have made a ton of these magazine freebies, because there are some good cuts on these and this one was also 2 bucks. This one has Sonic Youth doing an alternate version of "Silver Rocket," and Pailhead is on here, too, speaking of Ministry. 

Amoeba is still getting it done. I checked out the movies and didn't want to drag a bunch of 'em home but I did get a sealed DVD of Urgh! A Music War, which is a movie I have not seen. And you know I hit the rap tapes hard, and they had more this time around then they did the last time I was there. I ended up getting a nice stack:

Some good ones in here. Kid Frost maxi-single! Also excited about the "I Get Around" maxi-single. I bought the regular cassette single for that when it came out and still have it. I had not heard of Without Rezervation, a Native American group out of the Bay Area. A handful of these are still sealed, too. Love finding rap tapes down in LA. It's so much easier than doing it up here. 

What's not easy is rearranging my cassettes when I get new ones. I've got everything alphabetized in Napa Valley shelves and they look great but I also get a brutal shoulder workout every time I come home with some rap tapes. 

January Record Shopping in Los Angeles, California.

 

Frank Black's Teenager of the Year turned 30 in 2024, and FB and the original band decided to embark on an anniversary tour to celebrate the LP by playing it in its entirety. What they were not going to embark on was a journey to a tour date anywhere near the NW, and I really needed to see this show. TOTY is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I'm almost positive he did not come to the NW on the original tour. I saw his first-ever solo show in Eugene at the WOW Hall after the first record, and caught The Cult of Ray tour in Portland a few years later, but did not see him come around in between. And I was looking. 

I decided on Los Angeles because I have friends down there I'd been wanting to visit (and who I could crash with), but also because TOTY is steeped in LA lore, recorded by an LA band in LA. So I figured I'd go all-in on the LA-ness of it all. 

And I did. I really only had Saturday to deal with, so I made sure my friend and I had some time carved out to hit Amoeba, because it is easily one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's not often these days you get to be in a record store where like 35 employees are on the clock. It's invigorating. And the youth! They were everywhere, coveting overpriced Rumours reissues. But at least they were there. 

And so was I, for maybe about two hours, which is really not that long, particularly when the place is busy, and it was. But I put in my work. Here is what I got:

E.G. Daily - "Mind Over Matter" 7" (1987)

I am a big fan of the movie Summer School and though I do own the soundtrack, I did not have this, which I believe is the lone single from the LP. Now I just need the 12" version, which has what I'm sure is a very hot remix on it. The music video for this with the Summer School cast is somehow not a special feature on the DVD or Blu-Ray and that is a large oversight. 

Styx - "Mr. Roboto" 7" (1983)

My daughter loves this song and I can get down with it, too. I remember giving Styx a shot when I was a teenager. My neighbor had a copy of Equinox (among other 70's Styx staples) and I thought the cover was pretty sweet so I listened to the record and it just was not for me. A little too tinny and mythical or something.

Big Lady K - Bigger Than Life (1990)

Gotta admit I hadn't heard of Big Lady K, but this record was pretty cheap and from 1990, which are both solid selling points for me.

Viagra Boys - Welfare Jazz (2021)

I think I looked into getting a copy of this sometime in the year after it came out and felt the hype was too hot for my pocketbook. It must've calmed down, because I got a good deal on this. I'm not as hot on their new record, but man, this one still rips. 

Frank Black & The Catholics - True Blue (2023)

They had copies of the Teenager of the Year reissue at Amoeba but I thought nah, I'll get one at the show; give the money straight to the band! So instead I bought this, which was recorded in 2001 live to one-track and is now being made available in all its mono glory. These are demos from around the time of the Black Letter Days album. Haven't listened to it yet. Oh and of course I went directly to the merch table when I got to the show and they were already sold out of the LP. Luckily I was able to overpay when I got home.

The Comfortable Chair - The Comfortable Chair (1968)

I am not a Doors encyclopedia, but I am a confirmed fanboy and I either didn't know or forgot about this 1968 LP produced by John Densmore and Robby Krieger. It was wisely filed in with the Doors stuff and I got, yet again, a great price on it. Very curious to listen to it. Looks like some hippie bullshit but I trust my boys.

I'll say it again: it's just makes you feel alive to be in a big-ass record store that is absolutely pulsing with people of all ages looking for whatever they're looking for. Makes me happy. What also made me happy was Amoeba having a rap section in their huge wall of cassettes, even if it wasn't too extensive. I still managed to find five:

The Sylk Smoov and Success-N-Effect are sealed, which is always unexpected. Thought I might already have that MC Shan tape but I looked at my list while I was there and it turns out I have zero MC Shan tapes, which sounds about right. 

The Frank Black show was worth the trip. They opened with two songs from the first, self-titled FB LP, then played TOTY in its entirety, in order, and closed with three more songs from the first record. Nothing but '93-'94. I had a great seat because I was by myself and it all worked out well. 

And then I got pantsed on the streets of LA after the show by a drunk guy who then flipped me off and mooned me. My underwear stayed up so it was no biggie, but wow did I not see that coming. Still worth it.

November Record Shopping in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I haven't traveled for work in years. The only thing I miss about it is record shopping in strange cities during the minimal downtime. It's always worth it. So, when I found myself in Las Vegas for a boring-ass work thing last week, I looked at the only two hours I had available and earmarked them for some time-constrained local patronage. Turned out my coworker - also a record fan - was on the same flight home as I was, so we hatched a plan to split a taxi to the airport right after we Ubered over to Record City, a place that was, honestly, the closest to Caesars Palace and, according to the photos on the internet, packed with LPs and every other kind of media. 

The photos did not lie, and in fact, may not have done it justice. I could've spent a full day at this place. There were thousands of LaserDiscs. I had to move stuff to get to other stuff. Teetering stacks were threatening collapse at every turn. And the prices were fair! My kind of place and I could have done some serious damage given four hours but I was only afforded about 90 minutes so I did what I could. 

I should have taken a photo of the LD/DVD area to the left of where I'm looking in this photo. I do have a small LaserDisc collection, but I generally don't care enough about LDs to drag any home. I did get four DVDs: Helloween High Live, C-Bo: Live and Uncut, Hittin' It, and Urban Massacre. I could have found more but I was too busy digging through the records, which were everywhere. Here's what I left with:

Criminal Nation - "The Right Crowd" 12" (1991)

NW rap via Tacoma on Nastymix. Been looking for this group's albums on cassette and don't ever see them. This song has got some new jack swing to it. 

B.O.X. - "Rock 'Dat A**" 12" (1991)

I admittedly am not familiar with this artist or this song, and that's why I grabbed this. And I think it was like three bucks. "Beyond Ordinary X-Istence indeed. 

C.P.O. - "This Beat is Funky" 12" (1990)

From BOX to CPO. I was definitely spending time in the haphazard 12" singles sections. This is one of two singles from CPO's only LP and I should really go back and listen to it; it's been a while. Love the idea of MC Ren having his own record label but I think this was the beginning and end of that.

The Master MC Stacy G. - "Prove It" 12" (1988)

Was not familiar with this outfit either but this was a signed copy at a fair price and I would have picked it up even it wasn't signed (very sincerely to a guy named Barry). This song is not strong. 

V/A - Hit Hip Hop on Hot Vinyl (1985)

Mixed by Dr. Dre when he and Yella were still with the World Class Wreckin Cru. The electro-rap revolution did not happen, and that's OK. I know there's a good reason why 2 Live Crew is on here but I can't think of it. Dr. Dre performing surgery on the humble beginnings tip.

Luke, etc. - "We Bring You Joy" 12" (1993)

Luther Campbell in sincere mode rounds up a gaggle of his label's artists to crank out a truly assy Xmas track I bought for two bucks.

Darwin Gross - Darwin's Blues (1986)

Didn't expect to find any private-press Oregon LPs while there but I guess I didn't expect not to, either. Don't recall ever seeing this one. It's easygoing jazz out of Oak Grove, led by a guy who, turns out, was the 972nd Living ECK Master. 

Let My People Come: A Sexual Musical - The Original Cast Album (1974)

Apparently I wasn't passing this up for a fiver. Looks pretty gay.

July Record Shopping in San Luis Obispo.

 
It was me and my wife's 15th anniversary this past week and since she has been dreaming for years of staying at the Madonna Inn, we decided to make it happen. We spent four nights and only had a few concrete plans during the days, so I knew I'd have some downtime with which to take the rented Kia Forte out and search for records. This isn't a heavily populated area, so I knew there wouldn't be an abundance, but I found some spots and had a good time doing it. Everything was pretty close. 

My first stop was Boo Boo Records, probably the "main" record store in town. They had a good selection, but not a ton of used stuff if I recall correctly. I got a few things:

Fanny - Mother's Pride (1973)

Think I still need to find the first few Fanny albums, but I didn't have this one. I really need to watch that documentary about them.

Grace Jones - "Crush" 7" (1987)

My 80's 7" collection is really coming into its own and I do suppose it could use a little more Grace Jones. Didn't know this song but knew it would be weird and it is. 

The Three Wise Men - "Thanks for Christmas" 7" (1983)

This is XTC under a fun Christmas name and I will tuck this away and break it out in December.

Next I stopped at a small vintage mall with a record store in the back, aptly named Ed Taylor's Back Room Vinyl. Ed's got a great selection of classic rock, including Beatles fanzines and other ephemera. I only found a few things, but had a great time flipping through that little room.

Lou Reed - Transformer (1972)

I have so many of Lou Reed's other solo records and strangely, I have never owned this LP. But I'm very familiar with it and was just waiting to find an early pressing that wasn't overpriced. Finally paid off. Got this, which is maybe a first press, for like 17 bucks and it sounds great. Cover is solid as well. Just had to get out of Portland to save 25 bucks on it. I understand why Lou Reed didn't want to be remembered primarily for this record but man, there are so many good songs on this album.

Martin Mull - Near Perfect/Perfect (1979)

Been thinking about Martin Mull since his recent passing and seemed like I should grab this when I saw it. Used to watch him on Fernwood 2 Night on Nick at Nite and not understand a lot of the jokes but laugh anyway. 

After that I drove about ten minutes to Pismo Bay, where I found Phantom Stranger Records, a comfortable little location with a healing crystal shop inside. I saw a lot of crystal content while in the SLO area, and I wasn't even looking. Must be big biz down there. I did not check out the crystals, but I did spend a good hour poking around and ended up with some stuff. Also had a great chat with the dude behind the counter. And he cut me a hot deal on some 45s. Really cool spot. Here is what I purchased:

Compton's Most Wanted - "Growin' Up in the Hood" 12" (1991)

Banger from the Boyz N The Hood soundtrack. I've got a solid CMW collection when it comes to cassettes, but not much on vinyl. This was mildly spendy but it's in great shape. 

Madhouse - "6" 7" (1987)

Promo single for the song "6" from the album 8 from one of Prince's many side projects, and one that gets overlooked more than the others. Maybe it's the instrumental nature of the music that doesn't ultimately connect with people, but man, this is some funky stuff. 

Don Henley - "The Boys of Summer" 7" (1984)

Been talking with anyone who will listen lately about what a dildo Don Henley is and what an absolute 10/10 song "Boys of Summer" is. It doesn't keep me up at night, but it concerns me. Was talking about it with my wife on the way down and told her that I was sure I'd find the 45 - which I've been lazily looking for for a while - on our trip, and of course I did. The deadhead sticker line in this song is iconic, but the "got your hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on" gets me every time. 

Kim Wilde - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" 7" (1987)

This should be any respectable person's 80s 45 collection. Wasn't in mine. 

LeVert - "Casanova" 7" (1987)

Hadn't thought about this song in a minute, but it remains smooth. 

Harold Faltermeyer - "Axel F Theme" 7" (1984)

Thought I had this but I guess I don't. 1984 really was the greatest year for pop music. What a track. Just watched the new Beverly Hills Cop and really enjoyed it. Ridiculous movie, but that's what you want. 

I also picked up Positive K's The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills on cassette, as well as a tape by a rap group called SFC, which I just now put together stands for Soldiers for Christ. It's from 1989 and it's going in the collection. Oh and I also got a DVD called Through the Years of Hip Hop Vol. 1 - Graffiti that looks pretty budget but it was cheap. 

Next I hit a spot called Games Exchange, which had a lot of records but they were mostly common classic rock stuff and they weren't very well organized and I just really didn't feel like dealing with 'em. I instead focused on DVDs, which they had plenty, and other stuff they had around. Got a magazine promoting the original Woodstock documentary at a great price, and I also got some DVDs: The Detroit Pistons Bad Boys episode from the 30 for 30 series (which I may already have in a set?), the final season of Grounded for Life, Zappa Plays Zappa, The Up Series documentary set, and Planet Brooklyn, costarring Bonz Malone. 

And I picked up some cool buttons and two sealed packs of 1987 Topps baseball cards, which I will be opening tonight. The guy behind the counter and I had some good jokes about not eating the gum inside. 

I moved on to A Satellite of Love, an expertly curated vintage shop/record store where I fittingly picked up a March 1975 issue of Creem magazine with Lou Reed on the cover, ready to go to war with Lester Bangs. I also grabbed these two records:

Kate Bush - Kate Bush EP (1983)

A mini-album intended to give Kate more shine in the US, I guess? I need to listen to more of her music and this one seemed like a good option. Cover is great, of course, too. 

Michael McDonald - "I Keep Forgettin'" 7" (1982)

More smooth sounds for my 80s 45 collection. 

Next up was Vinyl Isle, recommended to me by the clerk at the previous store. Wasn't far away, and look at that storefront! This is what you're looking for. It was indeed a cool little spot and I picked up a May 1981 issue of Rolling Stone with Susan Sarandon on the cover and a handful of 45s:

Nu Shooz - "Driftin'" 7" (1988)

Lesser-known single from the Portland crew, and one of their last. 

Simple Minds - "Don't You (Forget About Me) 7" (1985)

This is the "Breakfast Club cover" version, which feels right. I have a bunch of Simple Minds singles but somehow didn't have this one. 

Juicy - "Beat Street Strut" 7" (1984)

Bought this on a whim, knowing it would be more disco than rap, and that's OK. 

David Lee Roth - "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" 7" (1985)

Diamond Dave in his prime and a remixed version on the flip. Wish Dave had more B-sides from his solo era. That band was bonkers. 

David Lee Roth - "Stand Up" 7" (1987)

I enjoy the entire Skyscraper LP, including this song (though it is a little goofy ultimately) and side B on this is "Knucklebones," which is a real beast of a track. Lil Stevie Vai just putting in work. 

Didn't take a picture and didn't get any records there, but at some point during this day I stopped at Cheap Thrills, one of the other major record stores in SLO. They also have a video game/DVD/All Sorts of Anime Shit I Don't Understand side of the store, and I ended up getting some DVDs: Juggalo Championshit Wrestling Vol. 3, Best of IWA Wrestling, and a vintage street fighting video that I will say no more about. Had those in hand and was ready to leave when I remembered a movie I've been looking for and just gave it a last ditch chance in the ol' comedy section and there it was: Whiteboyz, a movie that I really love and own on VHS, and that people are trying to get too much for on the internet. Got it for 7 bucks. 

My wife and I were sitting in the bar at the Madonna Inn on Thursday night, when who should walk in but Micky Dolenz, who was playing a show near there the next night. (You can see him there in the black hat.) I didn't bug him - my wife insisted I shouldn't - but seeing him made me realize I really wanted to catch his show the next night. After our anniversary dinner we went to see Micky Dolenz at the Fremont Theater and it was a blast. He ran through all the hits, paid tribute to his fellow Monkees who are no longer with us, and cracked corny jokes like only he can. It was incredible to be in the same room and hear his voice. 

Think I'm about to take a deep dive into the Monkees. I'm due.