Amoeba Music

Amoeba is the ultimate Utopia for any music lover. I remember walking in through those doors the very first time; I was flabbergasted. I never knew such thing existed. Endless LPs, CDs, 7-inch records, and movies! Being there makes you forget what you're actually shopping for. There's just so much to see and listen. Of course, I ended up buying more than I could afford. But it didn't matter. It's just a sublime feeling of buying a record and actually supporting the music industry. This is the ideal place to shop for music. Amoeba has it all.

Everytime I go to LA, at the very top of my list always is Amoeba. Everytime I go, it's magical. I find things there I know I would NEVER find on the east coast. You should've seen my face when I saw the Bear Family Lesley Gore boxset there. I have a few funny celeb moment in there, but one of them was with Questlove! He was doing his "what's in my bag" section and I realized who it was. I told my friend Jim and he suggested I should talk to him. I said no. I am always too shy for everything as you can tell! So Jim goes talks to him, and then Questlove starts talking to me! He was really cool. The other time was when I saw Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone there. Rolling Stone is like my dream job and so to see one of the best rock writers there was just so awesome. I always end up spending so much money. I love everything there. The atmosphere, the people (they know who Dukes of Strat are!!!!!!), the wide space to walk around, and the variety! I know that kind of variety does not exist in the east coast. I know when I go to Los Angeles that I will have that at Amoeba!

I was in high school when my buddy asked me if I wanted to go with him to a record store in Hollywood. I didn't know what to expect, I just figured it would be like Tower Records or the Warehouse. Boy was I wrong. Before I knew it we were going to Amoeba every weekend. I always managed to get a few bucks together and buy a tape or 2. Everytime I walk into Amoeba, my mind goes blank. Suddenly I can't remember any bands I like or what cds I don't have. I have to make a list before I go, otherwise I will spend hours and hours just looking at stuff and hoping I'd have enough money. I loved it so much that I took a road trip up north to see where it all started. Hollywood and SF kicks ass but Berkeley was something else. The college down the street is what makes Berkeley so great, kids from around the country selling their music in order to buy books. Because of Amoeba I have a HUGE collection with some really rare cds/tapes.

I'm originally from Philadelphia. I moved to Arizona for a year, and then moved here in June of 2010. I really thought the philly area had it down in some secret locations, but AMOEBA RULES!!!!!!! I could not freak'n believe it! I don't know how many incredible cd's i've found in the $1.99 and up section that have made my life that much more spectacular! You people have an awesome selection of EVERYTHING! I have a wide array of musical taste, I came in for the first time and spent like $30 on $1.99 cd's, then came back a few days later, spent another crap load on some new stuff. Yet again, I just ran over on election day, where I heard about the $2 discount if ya have your voting stub. I came in and bought a crap load more, real treasures too! Kalas, Very rare LARD, VERY RARE- Cramps, I'm just in awe!Music is my life and you people make it that much better. I love the catalog of employee reviews and picks too! Really helped me find some REAL treasures!!! Keep it going! Your store is IMPORTANT!!!!

Once I bought a 30 Seconds to Mars CD there for $3.50, and then I lost it like a week later. Good thing I ripped it to my computer when I got home. Oh also I only spent one week with a man I love dearly and we spent the last day of his visit in the Haight and he bought me a Coheed and Cambria CD.

I have never met any celebrities, or had any significant meetings with anyone when I have visited Amoeba so my testimonial may be slightly boring. For me it's all about the music and the experience of just beeing inside a record store. A haven that can remove any bad day, diminish work related fatigue instantly and refresh and invigorate your spirit instantly. I haven't met anyone in my many visits to Amoeba but yet each person who was beside me sorting through precious vinyl or walking past with their basket of treasures was a kindred spirit, a brother or sister on the same playground. My first experience at amoeba was with my son a few years ago and upon walking in the door I immediately thought I had died and gone to heaven.I was in such a state of euphoria I even offered my son money to buy a few cd's. One of my most recent visits happened upon my birthday. My wife and I were going to spend the day together and after a cozy breakfast at our local hangout we ventured onto Hollywood. Each and every visit is both different and yet the same. Different in the sections to explore, and the purchases made. The same because every time I enter I feel the exact rush of excitment and anticipation for either the vinyl hunt or checking out and of course finding that one or two treasures that feel like you've just had a religious experinece. That birthday with my wife and later that afternoon and evening with our kids was the best birthday ever and the trip to amoeba was classic. To this day my wife tells friends that she enjoyed seeing my face light up like a small boy on christmas morning. I enjoy sharing Amoeba stories with frineds and co-workers and urging them to visit as well. I also returned with my son and friend to have another wonderful experience which of course lead to many more purchases and a great lunch downtown. Each trip is an adventure, a long lasting memory that conjures thoughts and plans for the next visit. My only regret is that I don't live closer, but then I know I would be in every day.but is that really a negative thing? I think not, it sounds fantastic. support amoeba and all of the independent record stores. Long may they stand and rock our worlds.

Amoeba opened its doors upon my return to my beloved Berkeley after two years away (don't ask) and it was love at first sight! I was a regular at all the other record shops south of campus from the time I moved to Berkeley in '81 but Amoeba replaced them all in one fell musical swoop. I host of lot of out-of-town visitors and their number one request is a visit to Amoeba, usually first thing (after a slice of pizza, for strength). No matter where they hail from they approach Amoeba like it's Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, and for my music-loving friends and myself that's just what it is! Happy Birthday Amoeba! It's been a pleasure growing (up/old/bigger) with you. Long live the King!

aside from all the great records and many days spent shopping here i would have to say the most memorable moment would have to be when i randomly went into amoeba about 20 minutes before closing on a weekday. just kinda bored not looking for anything specific when all of a sudden over the intercom one of the employees announced that if anyone wanted them they had two tickets to see fischerspooner that night at the fillmore. we thought it was a joke at first and then we thought somebody would definitely grab them, except no one was in the store and no one was moving toward the info desk. so we ran up grabbed the tickets from a couple who donated them to the info desk ran out hopped on the 71 took the 22 to the fillmore and walked in the doors at the very second they took the stage, that was awesome!!!

It was a hard time two years ago. As a single parent trying to get by with a job that supported the bills and not much else, stress was abundant. I remember trying to think of a way to bring myself back to base line but not break the bank. Living in L.A. has it's perks, and being close to Amoeba is definitely one of them, I grabbed my little girl, took the trip, and wandered the aisle with her in tow. Taking a stop in the corner where the clearance cds meet the posters, I was looking at the small ticket items I picked up. The overhead music playing some random funk tune, my daughter started to dance to the music! In her little sandals, she was swaying and rocking about! It was an awesome sight to see her getting down in a place that’s near and dear to me. Sharing my world with her meant a lot. I'll never forget that night, thank you.

I moved to Santa Cruz in '89 and would drive up to Berkeley just to shop at the World's best music store, Moe's & catch a movie at the PFA at least once a month. Then the SF store opened & it was even more overwhelming than the Berkeley store. I've spent so much in a day that I've received a free canvas bag & have to say it's my favorite shopping bag since it attracts the attention/comments from all the most interesting people.