Amoeba Music

Amoeba is easily one of (if not the) best place in the world. Whenever my best friend and I say were going to hang out in hollywood for the day, we end up just spending the entire time at Amoeba. Although I have many stories about Amoeba including my first time, the most memorable to me would have to be the Jenny and Johnny in-store show. My best friend and I had been meaning to go to Amoeba before summer was over and we moved away to college. I noticed Jenny and Johnny were making an appearance so we figured it would be the best day to go, free show, then get stuff signed and a couple posters and cds. My friend had brought a CD of hers to sign and I was planning on picking up a copy of the cult classic film The Wizard (starring Jenny Lewis). Upon arriving at Amoeba I searched the entire upstairs for any kind of copy of The Wizard as I had seen one there in previous visits, but unfortunately I could not find one. I was a little disappointed, but before the show began, it was announced Jenny and Johnny were not going to do any kind of signing or anything, so I was relieved. During the show my friend and I had noticed someone was allowed into the restricted aisle in the middle. This stranger had a coat on but it was summer in LA, so we knew something was up. Upon turning around we realized it was Elvis Costello! (You can even see us behind him in the picture of him there on the Amoeba facebook page.) Once the show was over the whole store was packed. We were also famished so we figured we'd get some food and resume our shopping once the store cleared out a bit. Once we had returned my friend went over to rock vinyl section and I was at the other end of the store. After about 15 min I receive a call from my friend informing me that Jenny Lewis at the register. I went over and we caught her right around the front door. We first congratulated her on an awesome show and then I asked how awesome it must have been to have Elvis Costello in the audience. She said it was crazy and that he had even gone back stage to talk to them. I then went on to tell my story of how I wanted to get a copy of The Wizard, which she found amusing and said she wasn't even sure if that movie had a dvd release. We then got a picture together and while taking it she said "I feel so steezy." After this Johnathan Rice walked up and commented on the UC Santa Cruz shirt I was wearing, saying how it was used by Tarantino in Pulp Fiction. We then finished our meeting with another congratulations on the performance and my friend and I went on with our searching. Definitely my coolest trip to Amoeba.

Amoeba's my home away from home... Well actually it's not really that far away from home since I live a block away... But based on the amount of stuff I buy and sell at wonderful Amoeba, that whole home/store line is a bit blurred anyway! I'd say my most exciting Amoeba memory was the day I finally became foursquare mayor of the Hollywood Amoeba. When I signed up for foursquare, one of my main goals was to be Amoeba mayor. And I finally did it, about 108 check-ins later. Towards the end I was popping in every day. When I finally did it, all of my friends were so proud. They re-tweeted the news all over the Twitter galaxy. I concluded the monumental day by buying one of the 6000+ mini lps that Amoeba purchased recently. Where else outside of Japan can you get you real Japanese Disk Union Mini LPs sets!? From the intimate shows to trading tips with staff to seeing the Ladies and Gentleman We're Floating In Space 12 mini disc collector's edition in person, Amoeba satisfies time and time again. Honestly, there is no better place in Los Angeles... and of course no better record store in the world! Happy anniversary!

When I first moved to LA, I was in awe of the selection at Amoeba and I never have taken for granted to ease of finding even the most obscure items at Amoeba. I've emptied my bank account on more than one occasion at Amoeba. But for me, the best thing is opportunity to see some amazing bands at the in store performances. My favorite in-store was Concrete Blonde. There's nothing quite like standing shoulder to shoulder in the aisles, peering over CD bins and getting bowled over by Johnette Napolitano's formidable vocals. I was instantly transported from retail land to paradise.

Although I live in San Francisco, when I found out that Ace Frehley was going to be at Amoeba Hollywood for Record Store Day in 2009, I jumped in the car and headed south. After worshiping Space Ace for more than three decades, this was my first time meeting him. So, from the six-year-old me to the twenty-year-old you. I say "thank you."

So I'm sorta new to shopping Amoeba, but I decided to pursue the "GREY GARDENS" DVD after viewing a Netflix mailed disc....I had to own these DVD's so I could slowly digest the antics of big and little Edie....but I wanted it at a bargain! THAT WAS MY RULE! Bargain Bouviers! So I'd keep checking online auctions and watching swap meets etc. and finally one day flippin' through the bins upstairs in Hollywood...there they were...Big and Little Edie in their revolutionary outfits of torn and tattered fashions from yesteryear....ready to come to my place forever! I was pretty psyched...(no pun intended)....but only to find the completer disc a couple days later was the icing on the cake.....and all the way home I sang..."Tea for two and two for tea"....AWESOME!

my first time was when my parents flew me down for a tour of UCF, but I spent the day at your shop instead. when i'm looking through my records at home now in washington state, I can easily place the time in my life that I bought such and such record at amoeba, and i laugh about the hours spent in the 7" boxes, with glaring girlfriends or buddies standing by. record shopping can be a quick browse at most places, but amoeba's an event. a couple valentines ago, i spent far more on LPs than dinner for my girl (oh, she noticed), which explains a lot about how much time i have with my records now...

Ive been going to amoeba since i was about an early tween i remember when i was about 14 the dresden dolls wore performing at amoeba's S.F. location and i flipped out because they are one of my favorite artists, so i went and ended up having the greatest time ever i was by myself, but i didn't care it was worth going alone and putting aside the bs i was dealing with at the time and i felt like i fit in, the meet and greet really topped it off with Brian and Amanda taking the most adorable pictures at one point i stared to long at amanda signing my poster i could've sworn i wet my pants no joke, but it was all good and that poster still hangs in my quarters and i am almost twenty now.

My favorite time at Amoeba, Hollywood was when we went to Ozzy's cd release/signing & got to go see Ozzy at the HOB SS w/free tickets!!! It was an honor to meet Ozzy and I had the best time at the signing and at the show at the HOB later that evening!! Thanks to Amoeba and OZZY!!!! It was an event i will never forget!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!

While working on my Master's degree I was researching a Cuban drummer by the name of Chano Pozo. I only had one recording with him on it, and one day the New York Times published a box set review of his collected works. Wow! This is a boon, it also had an important booklet with loads of rare information. My next task? Find this gem and missing link in my research. However, the task proved next to impossible- I searched the web in vain. Finally, two years later, I turned in the thesis and to celebrate I came to Hollywood to shop. In the International music section, much to my delight and surprise, I saw that elusive box set and purchased it on the spot! I wish I had found it sooner, but it will assist me on the dissertation. Thank you Amoeba for carrying such rare stuff!!

I have been presenting world music radio programs for more then 30 years on many bay area community radio stations.From the very beginning of Amoebas first store in Berkeley...I have continually found the most extraordinary recordings from every culture and gotten great tips from your enthusiastic staff!For all the incredible moments of discovering great musics from everywhere there continues to be the incredible ripple effect of thousands of folks in the bay area hearing and enjoying these Amoeba musical treasures for the first time.Thankyou Amoeba!....David Mayers