Amoeba Music

I've been coming to Amoeba for several years, my daughter has an Amoeba t-shirt in pretty much every color. But I haven't been there so regularly as I have been this year. I met this guy in early 2010. He's a musician from an 80s/90s rock band. I think before we even met, I found out that his favorite place in Los Angeles (maybe on Earth) is the Amoeba store in Hollywood. We go there a lot, and every time we go, we walk in, give each other a kiss and split up to do our own thing. I go straight for the used section first to see if any of his band's records are there. Sometimes they are, and I look at them - not that I couldn't just look at them in my own house. Sometimes there's nothing in the bin for his band, and I smile because I know that means someone bought them and is enjoying his music. Then I wander around. I go upstairs to look for movies for my little girl. I come back down the stairs, stopping mid-way to see if I can find my man. Usually, I spot him, but I don't walk over or disturb him. I like to let him get lost in the store. It makes him happy. After about an hour we find each other, buy our music or movies and leave. So, while I've been a fan of Amoeba for years, this past year has been a whole new experience for me in the store, seeing the place in a different light. Thanks for being there. 'Til next time . . .

Back in 1994, I took a cross country trip to SF from Chicago via Greyhound. Friends of mine were playing a show at Gilman St. w/MTX and I was not going to miss this. I was poor and had just dropped out of college, but that did not stop me from spending any available dollar I had on records. I had saved about $150 to buy on records that trip and I couldn't wait to go shopping at Amoeba before the show. I remember walking in the door and nearly fainting. I had not seen that many awesome, obscure, punk, country, soul, rock albums and 7"s in my life. I was shell shocked. I spent about three hours sitting on the floor going through all the 45s trying to decide what trophy records to buy. Panic eventually set in and I couldn't make a decision. I had been defeated! I almost cried as I couldn't make a decision. I ended up buying the current issue of fLIPSIDE and nothing else. But I vowed to return the next day, prepared for battle. And I did. I spent way more than I had budgeted, leaving me with $15 for food money to last the rest of week. I went very hungry that week but that trip to Amoeba was one of the highlights of my trip.

my best score at Amoeba (so far)? a first edition copy of Operation Ivy. i just love the atmosphere at Amoeba. i could browse for hours and be at peace. peace, love, music... what else is there?

Thank you Amoeba!! My stereo appliances tend to be slightly behind the most modern models, and you always come through for me! When I thought it no longer possible, I have found fantastic VHS and cassette tapes in your bins. For gifts for my "vinyl-only" brother-in-law, you are my family's go-to store. One of my happiest finds happened in 2008, when I wanted to celebrate Prince's 50th birthday on June 7th. There it was at your store . . . the film "Purple Rain" on DVD - now mine!! Happy Birthday Amoeba and best wishes!

ariel pink live. what ever happened to that video thou

Even before other record stores starting disappearing, Amoeba has been a favorite, for it's eclectic variety and for the option of buying new or used. We call our visits to Amoeba "pilgrimages" for they truly are enlightening experiences. I've taught my now-teenage daughters the joy of music, of CDs and of vinyl from taking them on many pilgrimages to all three Amoebas. When they were 8-9 years old and wanted a CD by the A-Teens, I took them to Amoeba. We found one new for $12.99 - they were thrilled. Then I took them to the used section (they were separate then) and found one for $7.99. And we found another for $5.99. We sat on the floor looking at all three and I asked them "which one should we buy?". They looked at me, looked at the CD covers, which of course all looked the same, looked at the price and quickly said "The $5.99 one - and since we're saving so much money, can we buy more?". I was so proud. Now, even as they are both on the verge of leaving for college, they still enjoy making a pilgrimage with their dad.

I've always heard about Amoeba so when we were driving around Hollywood the day after a concert we went to, we spotted the store, went in and I didn't know where to start. My jaw dropped for a good while because I almost couldn't fathom how big that store is! Love the prices and used section.

You know there’s a God because Amoeba exists. There has never been a time I have visited Amoeba and left disappointed. As a matter of fact, there have been countless times I have walked in believing I would only be purchasing an album, but instead walked out an hour later with a hundred dollars worth of stuff. Sure my wallet may have been lighter, but I couldn’t have been happier each time. Each time I visit I feel like I am a kid in a candy store. There is just too much good stuff to handle. Whether it’s browsing through vinyl, music posters, soundtracks, used music, lasderdiscs, Blu-rays, or even the DVD section upstairs, I cherish each moment to know about the greatest store ever. It’s one of the friendliest and down-to-earth places you can ever visit. When I am there I feel like I am at home. My first exposure to Amoeba was when I visited the Arclight in March 2005 during Kevin Smith’s West Coast Vulgarathon. From that moment on I found my primary place to shop for mainstream movies and music along with all the obscure stuff in between. Whether it’s an Iggy Pop picture disc or a sealed vinyl copy of “The Apple” Soundtrack or the original and out of print “The Harder They Come” Criterion Collection DVD, Amoeba has had it. Since I have an eclectic taste in film and music I feel a list is necessary when visiting. Among my friends I have become notorious and infamous for these lists bringing them every time I visit Amoeba. About 80% of the time, Amoeba has exactly what I am looking for no matter what and I love how impressive their inventory is at all times. Sure I can talk about the times I have met Slash, Ace Frehley, Ozzy Osbourne, Elvis Costello or the dozens of others I have been fortunate to meet during in-store events, but it’s one aspect I have yet to mention about Amoeba I love most- The WALL. For the longest time I never paid any attention to the wall. Of course that was until a pink colored album caught my eye. About two years ago I was buying a birthday gift and checked out at my favorite register #7. Behind the register on the wall was one of my favorite albums of all time, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols.” What was so special about this album? It wasn’t a special edition, a limited edition or even the British version, but an original U.S. 1st pressing SEALED almost NM copy of the album. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. After asking the cashier to take a closer look, she handed it to me and I examined it closer. There was a slight tear and it affected the binding on the left side of the record sleeve, otherwise the album was NM. I thought long and hard on buying that album, but decided against purchasing the $200 album. However, I couldn’t get it off my mind. For the next two weeks I conveniently came back five times to Amoeba to see if they still had it when I “happened to be in the neighborhood.” On the last visit I bought two CDs and was once again purchasing my two items at register #7. The record was still there. I asked the male clerk to take it down so I could get one last look. Once he placed it in my hands I immediately said, “I’ll take it,” which completely surprised him. Afterwards I had it immediately framed so I could display it in my office and whenever friends come over they are immediately drawn to it. The album now has a few friends keeping it company with a “Kiss” original blue label and 2nd pressing album, a signed “Appetite For Destruction” original U.K. pressing album with the controversial cover that was signed by Slash on Record Store day, Scott Walker’s “Scott” album, “Punk” Magazine #1, and my favorite item, “Rolling Stone” #1 to make my office the coolest office for any college student. With the exception of the two magazines, everything else was purchased at that awesome store on 6400 Sunset Blvd. There is no place better than Amoeba! Thanks for hiring the most awesome people and for always making it a blast to shop!

Attending the where the action is signing was a once in a lifetime experience because I ran into old concert cronies from the 60`s, many of whom I haven't seen in 30 or so years and might never see again. I was able to meet and reaquaint myself with many 60's house bands and musicians who made the local 60's LA music scene so memorable.

One night I was in Amoeba browsing through records right up until the store was about to close. I had been there for quite some time and hadn't yet found quite what I was looking for. About to leave the store empty-handed, a friend pointed out to me a copy of Modest Mouse's debut LP "This Is a Long Drive..." for $30. I couldn't believe it. Not only is this one of my favorite albums of all time, but it's out of print and goes for about $120+ on eBay. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be throwing down 30 bucks for a single record on this evening. When it was my turn in line to head to the register, I said to the cashier, "I'll take the Modest Mouse record...Up there." He took it down and rung it up for me. I was so excited that I was shaking. "I can't believe what a deal this is," I said to the man, "Every copy I see on eBay is upwards of a hundred bucks!" This dude gave me a really dirty look, like he was bitter about the fact that I just got this amazing deal. "Unfortunately, our pricers don't check eBay," he said. "Well that's good news for me I guess," I said with a huge smile on my face. He met me at the end of the cashier line, my record safely slipped into a bright yellow and red Amoeba bag. "Have a GREAT night," I said, and ran up the hill to my apartment. I must've spun that record about 3 times through that night, and it was well worth my $30. THANK YOU AMOEBA I LOVE YOU!