My only regret about this post (well, along with not having more photographs to include in it) is that I wasn't quite as scrupulous as I'd have liked to have been in terms of crediting the photographs that I didn't take myself (which are most of them). I've cited the proper credits where I can. In other instances, however, I merely stumbled upon the photograph on Tumblr or in the wilds of the Internet somewhere and either didn't notice a photographer's name or didn't find one listed. Suffice it to say, I am extremely grateful and respectful to be able to include all of these photos in this post, and I complement the photographers in question for their work and insight. I certainly wish I'd taken the time to capture more of these places with my camera. If you are one of the shutterbugs responsible, I tip my hat to you.
On another front, those of you who aren't quite as maniacally obsessed with music and New York City minutia as I apparently am might find this post to be a ridiculous waste of time. Fair enough. Maybe I'm a bit fetishistic about old record stores. There are certainly worse vices. Anyway, please enjoy.
Some time ago, a regular reader pointed out that Dan Weeks' Streetview blogs are, for one reason or another, dead. You may remember I spoke about Weeks' remarkable project back on this post. Essentially, he tried to capture as much of the topography of Manhattan circa 1982 (pre-internet, pre-digital photography) as he could. Viewing his long, panoramic shots of once-familiar Manhattan avenues was like going back in time. Hopefully they'll reappear at some point.
In any case, this reminded me of a project I'd started several months back and never brought to fruition. Way back in 2007, I'd penned a post that culled together a handful of some of my favorite record and disc shops that had closed. Since then, unsurprisingly, several more have sadly joined their ranks.
Being that I'm constantly scouring the Internet for photographs of these vanished place, I thought I'd aggregate the ones I found. The list of record stores and compact disc shops below is by no means complete or authoritative. There are still scores of spots I simply couldn't find images of. But for those of you who used to frequent, patronize, cherish and revere New York City's now-crippled network of music outlets, please enjoy this trip down memory lane.
Bleecker Bob's:
I've written a ton about Bleecker Bob's in the past, so I won't bother drumming all that up again. Suffice to say, as grubby a reputation as it might have garnered over the years, it remained one of the first truly important record shops I ever discovered. And now it's a frozen yogurt emporium. Music I remember buying here: The "Halloween" 7" single by the Misfits, The Act is Done bootleg 12" by Killing Joke and the Now We Are Six e.p. by Happy Flowers.
Crazy Eddie on East 57th:
Sure, it was part of a big chain, but ask any native New Yorker about Crazy Eddie and you'll doubtlessly be treated with an impresison of their signature commercials (as NYC as Tom Carvel). This particular spot had a truly amazing import section.
Music I remember buying here: The Flogging a Dead Horse compilation by the Sex Pistols, the 12" single of "The Walk" by The Cure, the 12" single of "O Superman" by Laurie Anderson.
Crazy Eddie's on East 86th:
The original Crazy Eddie in this neighborhood was down a couple of blocks on Third Avenue, which was actually kind of a better spot. I befriended a clerk there named Brian who was a total hardcore kid who used to hold records for me. Then they moved to East 86th.
Music I remember buying here: Nighttime by Killing Joke, Stukas Over Disneyland by The Dickies, The Big Express by XTC and My Beach by the Surf Punks
Ear Wax in Williamsburg:
I didn't get to this spot very much back in the day, but it was a nice little find, tucked away in the wilds of Williamsburg (before the entire hipster occupation). I remember that they didn't have a telephone, which was slightly odd for a business. Not sure when they closed. Music I remember buying here: I vaguely remember picking up a disc by an indie band called The PeeChees here (which I've since parted with).
Etherea on Avenue A:
This was a great if comparatiely short-lived spot on Avenue A. The staff was knowledgable and the vibe was very mellow and the selection was suitably ecclectic. Was very sorry to see it go. Music I remember buying here: Minimum-Maximum by Kraftwerk and Freaks, Faggots, Drunks & Junkies by GG Allin.
This photo originates here.
This photo originates here.
FreeBeing on 2nd Avenue:
I wrote a post about Freebeing not too long back. The thing I remember most is that it was always crazy loud inside, which -- of course -- only made it cooler. As I mentioned in that earlier post, we used to call Freebeing "Deafwreckastow," as it was the record store wherein you'd go deaf. Music I remember buying here: An Adjustment to Society by Kraut and Music for Pleasure by The Damned.
Future Legend in Hell's Kitchen:
This place was very sadly shortlived, and I wrote up a little post about it when it closed in 2008. I loved that there was a cool little indie record shop in Hell's Kitchen. To bad it couldn't last. Music I remember buying there: Colossal Youth by Young Marble Giants.
This picture originates here.
Lunch for Your Ears in SoHo:
I wrote up a couple of pieces about the long-defunct Lunch for Your Ears, namely here and here. It was a very cool spot that fell on some hard times, if memory serves. Music I remember buying here: Dark Adapted Eye by Danielle Dax.
This picture originates here.
99 Records on MacDougal Street:
Oh my god, 99 Records was the coolest goddamn shop in the world, not least because they put out their own music by amazing bands like Liquid Liquid and ESG (check out this recent rumination on their history). They also stocked an amazing array of great hardcore singles and obscure vinyl. Music I remember buying here: The White E.P. by The Pop-0-Pies and Capitalism is Cannibalism by Anthrax..not the Queens thrash-metal band but the UK anarcho band.
Piers Platters in Hoboken:
I wrote about this shop not too long back. It was one of the only two reasons to ever visit Hoboken. It's gone. The other reason, Maxwell's, is recently gone too. There is no reason to ever go back to Hoboken. Music I remember buying here: Dial 'M' For Motherfucker by Pussy Galore and Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub.
Rebel Rebel on Bleecker Street:
Oh, I love Rebel Rebel so much, even though they largely eschewed stocking British indie imports in favor of techno-dance-club music records a long while back. It's actually still there, of course, which gives it an awkward placement in this list, but I couldn't not include it. Dave behind the counter can be stand-offish to the point of sneery, but he's always been good to me (he knows a loyal customer when he sees one). Music I remember buying here: Almost too many to quantify, but notable ones include the CD-single of "Nothing Compares to You" by Sinad O'Connor, Strange Free World by Kitchens of Distinction and practically every slab of vinyl I own by the Mission U.K.
This picture originates here.
Record Factory on West 8th:
Truthfully, this place wasn't the greatest shop in the world, but I liked that it was there. They didn't stock anything you couldn't get anywhere else, but they were a sturdy standby. It's a nail salon today, of course. Music I remember buying here: About Face by David Gilmour
Record Hunter on Fifth Avenue:
Another not-especially-crucial spot, but one I vivdly remember (it was one three record stores that spanned Fifth Avenue between 43rd and 34th streets -- all gone today, of course). Music I remember buying here: Ironically enough, The Hunter by Blondie (a dreadful album, for what it's worth).
Rockit Scientist on St. Mark's Place:
Technically, the original Rockit Scientist was on Carmine Street, which was a much better place. At the same time, this space used to be the far-superior SMASH CD's. Either way, both incarnations featured a lovely array of estoteric-if-oft-pricey fare. Music I remember buying here: The Bestiality of the Bonzo Dog Band.
This picture originate here.
Rocks In Your Head in SoHo:
Oh, now I'm bound to get choked up. There are precious few spots I miss more than Rocks in Your Head. I've written about it a bunch of times. It was perfect in every way. The space is now a fucking real estate agency, for cryin' out loud. May those responsible get a chronic case of irritable bowel syndrome. Music I remember buying here: Too many albums to cite, but off the top of my head...Ragin' Full On by fIREHOSE, On Fire by Galaxie 500, Make Them Die Slowly by White Zombie, Throb Throb by Naked Raygun...and countless, countless others.
I took the shot above. Wheeee!
This picture originates here.
Second Coming on Sullivan Steet:
Oh, another great spot. DAMN, do I miss this place. With amazing posters all over the ceiling and a ridiculous selection of bootleg live tapes (something that would come back to haunt them severely), Second Coming was a MANDATORY stop whenever doing the downtown circuit. One of the dudes behind the counter was this crazy tattooed mohican guy who was obsessed with The Stranglers. While he looked like an extra from "The Road Warrior," he was actually incredibly cool and used to put stuff aside for me that he knew I'd like. Such an amazing, amazing space. In later years, it spawned an off-shoot disc oulet two doors down. Today, it's a Mexican restaurant and a tattoo parlour. Music I remember buying here: Again, too many to mention, but I do vividly remember picking up Reign in Blood by Slayer here.
Stooz Records in the East Village:
Not a crucial spot, but a decent outlet for used CD's. It's gone. Don't know what's there now. I took this picture, though, and I love it. Music that I remember buying here: Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man by Guadalcanal Diary and Total Destruction by The Unsane.
Subterranean Records on Cornelia Street:
Walking down into this spot really felt like "going underground," literally, it being a cramped little basement hideway, furtively stocked with musical treasures. I love every sqaure inch of this tiny little place. Music I remember buying here: The 12" single of "Eighties" by Killing Joke and My War by Black Flag.
The picture originates here.
This picture originate here.
I actually took this picture above. Yay.
Tower Records on East 4th & Broadway:
I loved Tower. I did. And I dearly miss it.. especially since now it's a douchebag haven ESPN mancave or something like that. Burn it down. Music I remember buying here: Too many to cite.
Tower Records on West 66th:
I love this outlet of Tower too. Sue me. There's no reason to go back to the Upper West Side now that it's gone. You know I'm right. Fuck Zabar's. Music I remember buying here: The 12" of "Ball of Confusion" by Love & Rockets, The Crew by 7 Seconds, Singles: 45's and Under by Squeeze and about a bajillion other things.
This picture originates here.
Venus Records on St. Marks Place:
I prefererd their West 8th Steet location (see below), but Venus' second haunt was pefectly alright. Music I remember buying here: Ripped To the Tits by The Plesasure Fuckers, Apocalypse Dudes by Turbonegro and countless others.
Venus Records' original spot on West 8th just off 6th Avenue:
I loved this incarnation of Venus. One flight up off West 8th Street, they packed so much vinyl into such a relatively tiny space, but the presentation was impeccable and the selection drool-worthy. Music I remember buying here: The 12" of "Adorations" by Killing Joke.
Vinyl Mania on Carmine Street:
There were a few of Vinyl Mania outlets, actually. There were a couple on Carmine Street (one concentrating on dance music, the other rock) and one on the Upper West Side somewhere. Music I remember buying here: Floodland by the Sisters of Mercy and Omen by Mysterious Art.
This picture originates here.
The Virgin Megastore on Times Sqaure:
Sure, it was a big glossy mega-outlet, but I certainly preferred it to whatever's there now. Music I remember buying there: No Way Out But Forward Go by Killing Joke.
This picture originates here.
And last but not least....
Woolworth's on East 86th and Third Avenue:
Sure, it sounds ridiculous, but Woolworth's had a music section, and as a nascent music fan in my pre-teens (before I'd slipped the leash and explored downtown), it supplied me with a few choice LPs. Music I remember buying here: Both It's Alive and Rocket to Russia by The Ramones, Caress of Steel by Rush, Some Enchanted Evening by Blue Oyster Cult and Vol.4 by Black Sabbath.
Anyway, like I said....this is by no means complete. There several crucial shops I didn't manage to cite. Which ones do YOU miss?
And for more supercool pictures I didn't take of stuff I hold dear, check out my FAVORITES section from my Flickr page.
ADDENDUM: More forgotten record stores from previous posts!!!
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